Protagonist

Character Role Analysis

Shoba and Twinkle

Even though both "ATM" and "TBH" are told through the perspectives of the husbands (Shukumar and Sanjeev, respectively), it's their wives who become the more likeable and stronger protagonists.

In the case of "ATM," Shoba's much more sympathetic because she suffers silently over the stillbirth of their son while being the main breadwinner of the household. She's the one who drives the action of the story.

In "TBH," Twinkle isn't as hard-working and practical as Sanjeev, but, like Shoba, she doesn't complain about life. She lives it with gusto, flair, humor and curiosity. Definitely a more distinctive, interesting character than her uptight, neurotic husband.

Boori Ma and Bibi Haldar

Both of these characters are poor and homeless, without family. Sure, they have a place to live, but their living situations (a spot next to a collapsible gate; a storage room) are temporary and very precarious.

Yet, despite their pretty marginal existences, these two characters are resilient. Boori Ma survives as a refugee in Calcutta by creating her position as an unofficial durwan in a lower/middle-class compound. Bibi Haldar survives orphanhood, abandonment, poverty, rape and pregnancy and becomes a successful business owner and single mom. Definitely heroines in our book.

Mr. Pirzada and Mrs. Sen

A natural family man, that's Mr. P. All he cares about is being reunited with his family in Pakistan. But even though he's sick with worry about the safety of his wife and daughters, he still has enough love and cheer to befriend and charm young Lilia.

Like Mr. P, Mrs. Sen is also nurturing. She looks after Eliot with far more care and attention than his own mother. That's despite the fact that she's super-homesick for her family in India and feels lost in her adopted country. She pours all that displaced love into caring for Eliot.

Mr. Kapasi and Miranda

Mr. Kapasi and Miranda aren't exactly easy picks as protagonists. They both lust after someone who's already married. And Miranda, at least, doesn't seem all that bright. However, the objects of their affections—Mrs. Das in Mr. K's case and Dev in Miranda's case—are characters we don't care about that much. By comparison, Mr. K and Miranda come out looking like winners.

Narrator in "TFC"

Our narrator in TFC is hard not to admire. He takes care of his elderly landlady, his dying mother, his wife and son—all while staying diligent, humble and open-hearted.