Point of View

Girls Burn Brighter offers multiple points of view to show the differences and similarities in what happens to Poornima and Savitha as they make their way through a world that does not value their worth.

Poornima is taught not to expect anything other than what is asked of her because it is her fate. The family shames her when an arranged marriage falls through because she thought for herself and refused a man’s request. This perspective demonstrates the way in which girls are devalued in the culture. They are seen as property to acquire for a family with a son and a burden to get rid of for the family with the daughter.

While Poornima’s family is poor, Savitha’s family is even poorer, devaluing Savitha further. When Poornima’s father rapes Savitha, his punishment is to marry Savitha because the village does...