Part 1, Chapters 1 and 2 Summary

Anita Desai's novel of intricate family relations plays out in two countries, India and the United States. The core characters comprise a family living in a small town in India, where provincial customs and attitudes dictate the futures of all children: girls are to be married off and boys are to become as educated as possible. The story contrasts the life of the main character, Uma, the family's older daughter, with Arun, the boy and baby of the family. Uma spends her life in subservience to her older demanding parents, while massive effort and energy is expended to insure Arun's education and placement in a university in Massachusetts.

As the story begins, Uma's parents, Mama and Papa, swing on the veranda of their home and issue orders to Uma related to housekeeping duties. Uma silently but begrudgingly obeys. Uma...