Diction Detective: Eailya
Pg 104 "How I long to be like her - never to marry, to stay in the warm, safe circle of women." Why? the stories she has heard of women suffering in the hands of men has influenced shabanus perspective of the brutality of men. Women are influenced to endure and attempt to survive the harshness of men, which shapes shabanu to believe that shed rather live amongst her self just like sharma. Purpose of diction: the author is contemplating a general thought of issues women have to face in society. in harsher societies, women are burdened with certian expectations from others and their expected to tolerate those issues. Shabanu represents the class that wants to break free from those issues and rely on themselves.
Pg 108 "i sympathize, for i too feel like a child struggling to know what it is to be grown." Why? Shabanu thinks about this to her self once mithoo expresses hes " too grown" for such childish things as shabunu hugs him tightly. From seeing her sister about to get married and the expectations laid out for her as well in the future, it makes her more reluctant to realize she too will eventually have to grow up but doesn't know exactly how to since she cherishes her childhood so much. Purpose of diction : While Shabanu compares herself to a child, the author may be trying to identify the idea of children in general struggling to know what adulthood is like. Grasping the idea of " growing up " is difficult especially when that child doesn't want to have to face the responsibility and choices of adulthood. In a sense its a wake up call for children not being able to understand the harsh reality that we untimely will have to face.
Pg 139 " Grandfather's body lies out under the stars, alone for the first time since the sandstorm. I wonder whether his soul is near enough to hear the flute or, now that it is free, whether he can see inside my heart and know i am thinking of him. Why? Grandfather's death marks an important turning point for shabanu. she has lost the one person she was able to express her sorrows with. he was there with her understanding and resisting the adult world. its taking her one step at a time to slip away from her childhood life Purpose of diction: the author is emphasizing the the strong bond between Shabanu and grandfather and that within the heavens and down on earth isnt something that blocks that specialty away