How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
It became possible for me to speak as well. I told him of her earlier visit and the grain she had extorted from me also; and it seemed to me that a new peace came to us then, freed at last from the necessity for lies and concealment and deceit, with the fear of betrayal lifted from us, and with the power we ourselves had given wrested finally from Kunthi. (14.81)
We realize here that it wasn’t Kunthi’s power that was in control of Nathan and Rukmani. Actually, it was the power of their own secrets. The lies and concealment were more about Nathan and Rukmani’s fear of being found out in their betrayals of each other. Kunthi only had power as a possible means by which the truth might come out, while the real power lay in the delicate lies on which Nathan and Ruku had built their relationship.
Quote #8
"I must know," I said, imploring. "It is better that I should know than that I should imagine."
Ira gave me a sidelong glance: "Your imagination would not travel that far." (16.45)
The power of the imagination is greater than the power of the truth. Ruku labors under not knowing the truth, and so her imagination is allowed to run wild, ultimately leading her to darker things than even might be true. Ira, by withholding the actual truth, has power over her mother and forces her mother to imagine the worst.
Quote #9
"It is a long time since," she said. "You had better have a meal here before you go." She called to the servant and spoke to him rapidly, and he came, looking none too pleased, to lead us to where we had to go. (25.63)
It’s interesting that the lower classes seem to begrudge each other a little help. The servants at the doctor’s house initially tried to shoo away Nathan and Rukmani, taking them for beggars. The servants continue to be disdainful, and it’s only the doctor, who is better off than all of them, who offers a little charity. There’s no empathy among the poor, perhaps because they’re struggling to be better off than somebody, perhaps because they see each other as competitors, or perhaps because familiarity breeds contempt.