How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
She dusted my face with golden turmeric powder, and with a paste of sandalwood and vermilion painted the red tikka mark on my forehead. My eyes were outlined with kohl. My lips and cheeks were rouged. The kautuka, a yellow woolen bridal thread, was fastened around my wrist. I put on my choli and my petticoat. (1.60)
On her wedding day, Koly gets all dolled up for the ceremony, and we get to see some of the Indian traditions in the story. The vivid details about her make-up and clothes allow us to picture her as if she were standing right in front of us. And boy, is she colorful.
Quote #2
"I have only to touch you and I will share in your darshan, your sight of the holy Ganges. That is all I ask." (3.2)
We talk about the Ganges as a magical power over in "Symbols," but we feel it's worth mentioning here, too. Chandra expresses the traditional belief about the Ganges containing magical healing powers which can make a sick person well again. This is part of the Hindu tradition, and the Mehtas believe every word of it.
Quote #3
"Chandra, how can you tell if you will love him?" I asked. "You have never seen him." Though he was dead and I knew I should not think badly of him, I remembered how disappointed I had been in Hari (5.3).
The fact that Chandra is unfazed by her arranged marriage spooks Koly out a little bit. Isn't Chandra worried she won't like her new hubby that she's never even met? Chandra's response is rooted in the customs of the day, though. Everyone has an arranged marriage, so no one finds this weird or frightening. Well, no one except Koly, that is.