India

India in the 1930s is the overarching setting of the novel. At this time, India had a restrictive caste system that placed sanitation workers into the lowest caste of “untouchables” who must be treated as outcasts to maintain the purity of the larger society. India is also heavily influenced by British imperialism in the twentieth century.

The village

Bakha lives with his father on the outskirts of their small village. The untouchables must stay close to the river so that they do not pollute the townspeople. When they are in need of food, water, or other supplies, they enter the village and beg for provisions.

The temple

The temple is only accessible to higher castes and serves as a place of wonder for Bakha. He often creeps closer to hear the chanting and feels closer to religion, but he is never allowed inside and often chased away. His...