“If I had learned anything from them, it was this: only a fool lives in water and remains an enemy of the crocodile.”
The quote has a symbolic connotation, illustrating the dynamics of power and survival in the narrator's universe. The "water" signifies the conditions in which she finds herself, surrounded by the aristocracy with their societal pretenses and customs. The "crocodile" represents the problems, hazards, and potential harm that may result from confronting the established power structure. The narrator recognizes that openly criticizing her employers or challenging their opinions would be unwise and could lead to her demise as a maid and a woman of lesser social standing. It underlines the significance of negotiating her situation with pragmatism and caution not as an adversary but as someone who adapts to and understands the methods of people in authority. The quote reflects the complex realities of life for individuals in lower social strata where survival often requires maneuvering through the waters of hierarchy and privilege without openly challenging the established order.
“Stretch your legs only as far as your bed.”
The quote is a profound piece of wisdom offered to the protagonist by her mother. It represents the mother's cautious approach to ambition and dreams. The protagonist's journey is one of empowerment and liberation as indicated by her usage of notebooks to record her knowledge and future aspirations. Her mother's words serve as a reminder to stay grounded and not get carried away with great dreams. The quote highlights the significance of being practical and taking small steps toward achievement. It emphasizes the contrast between the protagonist's newfound independence and aspirations and her lowly background where she was forced to marry off. Despite dreaming of a luxurious life for her parents and herself, the protagonist recognizes the need to be patient and not exceed her current means. This quote encapsulates the tension between ambition and realism in the protagonist's life, encouraging her to be mindful of her limitations even as she strives for a better future.
“The poor weren’t the only ones imprisoned by their caste.”
This is a thought-provoking comment that gives light on the social dynamics and constraints shown in the novel's palace setting. Caste plays an important part in establishing one's social standing, advantages, and restrictions in traditional societies like this. While it is widely assumed that the lower castes which are generally linked with poverty and oppression experience harsh constraints and restricted chances, this quotation undermines that perception. The context shows that even members of higher castes such as the royals are not fully free from the constraints of their caste identity. Despite their money, power, and royal heritage, they, too, must comply with certain expectations and responsibilities which might be regarded as a type of incarceration. The statement reveals that caste-based restrictions and expectations affect people from all walks of life, irrespective of their economic status, and highlights the pervasive influence of caste in shaping the lives of individuals within the society depicted in the novel.
“There were three kinds of karma: the accumulated karma from all our past lives; the karma we created in this life; and the karma we stored to ripen in our future lives.”
This quotation dives into the complex idea of karma, spanning three unique aspects that weave the fabric of one's existence together. The first aspect implies a belief in reincarnation and the idea that people's current circumstances are the outcome of previous lifetime deeds and choices. The second type emphasizes the importance of people's current activities and decisions, implying that people shape their fates. This karma notion emphasizes personal responsibility, agency, and the understanding that people's current decisions influence immediate experiences and shape the course of future occurrences. Finally, the notion of "the karma we stored to ripen in our future lives" introduces the concept of delayed repercussions, meaning that certain deeds may not have immediate effects but may appear in future rebirths. The existence of this meaningful quotation in the protagonist's thoughts demonstrates her introspection and deliberation on the direction of her life, relationships, and decisions. It illustrates her effort to realize the consequences of her previous acts such as her marriage to Hari and her decision to leave her family behind.
