I think that the room Lakshmi is in represents her life. It is alone and desolate, almost separated from the rest of the house. It is filthy, and has iron bars on the windows. Lakshmi is also alone, knowing no one around her. Her life is a mess and is dirty, everything quickly disappearing and plans changing for the worst. The room also trapped Lakshmi. Lakshmi was trapped not only literally be the bars on the windows and the lock on the door, but also emotionally. She has no where else to go, no one else to see. She has to do this work for her family's sake. She cannot just leave, she knows nothing about how to get home. Until she becomes more knowledgeable about where she is, she is trapped right here.
The TV represents a luxury that is like the gold roofs. Lakshmi thinks that every house having a TV means that they are quite rich. She is amused by the TV, but not entirely enthralled by it like the other girls in the house. Soon, the girls start to paint Lakshmi's nails and do her hair and makeup. She asks what is happening, but they will not answer her. Her new Auntie, Mumtaz, calls her into a room where an old man is laying on the bed. Laksmi knows something is not right, but I don't think she realizes yet what is going on. I cannot believe she is going through this. How can people be so cruel? How could her stepfather force her into something like this? Mumtaz makes Lakshmi lay down, but when the old man starts to advance, she bites him. Good for her! I was so happy that she got away, but at the same time, I am fearfull for what will happen to her. Obviously that type of behavior won't be accepted. Lakshmi tries to explain that there is some sort of mistake, that she came to work as a maid. Mumtaz is clear. There is no mistake until she pays off the 10,000 rupees that were paid to purchase her. Then her head is shaved. She is now a disgraced girl. I cannot believe that all of this is happening so quickly. How can Lakshmi even cope with what is happening in her life? How can she live. Not only has she been sold into prostitution, but she is also stuck here until her debt is paid off. I wonder how she is going to react...
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The room is very cold and cramped. I like your analogy how it represents her new surroundings. It is sad to see this once proud person broken down over time. I was so proud of her for the longest time, since she resisted having anything to do with this new place. I thought she showed strong moral conviction, and it was terrible how they drugged her into the submission.
Mumtaz is a control fiend, and uses any form of leverage against Lakshmi, such as food, TV, access to the outside world, etc.
It's amazing she doesn't commit suicide, since there seems little else way out. I guess she's stronger than that, which I give her credit for.
Mr. Farrell
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