It must be hard for Lakshmi literally walking away from her hometown, her family, and virtually the only place she knows. To not look back would be impossible. I really can't imagine how it would feel to leave everything you have ever know. She is desperately trying to memorize her way back home, but that would be almost impossible. She is comforted by the fact that she can always see the mountain in the background to find her way home. Soon, the mountain is out of sight. I think that this is when Lakshmi truly realizes that she has left her home, and will not be back for a long time. I think that this is the first part of the journey that she is truly scared. I loved when Lakshmi told what she carried in her bundle and her head and heart and said "My bundle is light. My burden is heavy." How true is that? She has never had many possessions, and she does not need much to live on. But she feels that her family's survival is in her hands. She knows that her stepfather will only lose more money, never gain more. She worries about her mother and her baby brother. I think that the thought of helping them is the only think that is keeping her moving forward.
When the reach the city, I think that Lakshmi is excited despite what is happening to her. She has never even heard of cars before, let alone ride in them! She sees all of the excitement around her and thinks that this life will not be that bad. She imagines finding her friend who left earlier to be a maid. I think that Lakshmi sees opportunities in the city, and is so excited to finally be going somewhere on this long journey.
I don't really understand why Lakshmi got such nice clothing articles. I know she was sold to someone else shortly after...were the clothes simply for presentation? I think that Lakshmi was about as confused as I was, although I think she trusts her new Auntie. I think that she believes this may just be part of the life in the city. I was confused by Lakshmi being sold to the guy. I thought that the girl in the yellow had bought her. I don't think Lakshmi realizes that she was sold again to someone else. I feel so bad for her. Nothing is remaining constant in her life.
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It would be incredibly difficult to walk away from everything and everyone that you have ever known. I do not know if I would have been able to go through with it. I think it is kind of sad that Lakshmi is so young, yet she has such a heavy burden. I feel bad that she was so excited to be helping her family with a job in the city, and then she is sold again. It seems like nothing is really going her way.
It seemed the journey was so long, like she would never get there. I think the author does this to give us a feel for just how remote and far away her tiny village is from the Calcutta.
As for the clothes being so "nice", perhaps they are hand-made from her village? I mean, its not as if they can buy stuff at Wal-Mart, which leads me to think her clothes are something original and worth something?
Good comment about not having anything constant in her life, other than misery.
Mr. Farrell
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