The narrative explores the clash between traditional Eastern values and more liberal Western ideals, focusing on familial expectations and gender roles. In the story, children often follow their parents'
Sripathi's father Narashima Rao also treated his wife unfairly, blatantly cheating on her. Ammaya cried, going to her mother for consolation but was scolded instead and told she ought to be proud her husband could afford two women. Her mother raised in a society that women should simply serve their husbands believed that it was okay for husbands to cheat on their wives.
This can be seen in the relationships between Sripathi and Niramla, he treats Nirmala unfairly; giving her thoughts little regard. Nirmala works as a dance instructor and mkaes money to support the family as Sripathi's salary is no longer enough to sustain them however Sripathi mocks her job. nirmala never once tells Sripathi that his job is no longer enough as she believes a good wife must maintain the pretense that the husband is supporting the family
Children tend to adhere to the wishes of their parents and try to become what their parents had decided for them
This is shown in the novel when Sripathi tries to become a doctor for his mother's sake rather than follow his passion
Marriage is viewed as a union between two families
Maya was the one who shattered the chain and broke off her arranged marriage to marry the one she loved. The consequence of her actions was that she was estranged from the family, she was considred a disgarce to the family; a black sheep.
This is shown in the novel by the marriages between Sripathi and Nirmals, Ammaya and Narashima Rao etc.
Religion tends to be polytheistic, believeing in multile gods
Eastern culture is traditional adhering to cultural values
Western Culture
Subtopic
women legally share the same rights and are treated better
This mistreatment of women can also be seen in the relationship between Sripathi's mother Ammaya and her late husband Narashima Rao. Narashima blatantly cheated on his wife with no regard for her at all. Ammaya was powerless to do anything, as in that society women's sole purpose was to support their husbands
Sripathi mistreats Nirmala mocking her job as a dance instructor and never giving her thoughts any consideration, he views her as only a housewife, in Western culture women are valued more
Follow your passion, do what you want, choose your own career path
Sripathi also endured suffering going to medical school for his mother's sake, however he failed and was traumatized by the experience
In the novel Sripathi is forced to become a doctor to fulfill his mother's expectations, this contrasts the West's view of following your passion and choosing your own career path
Marriage is a union between two individuals
In the novel, Maya broke tradition and married the one she loved rather than chosen by her family to attain happiness
Lifestyle is more Dynamic
Religion tends to be monotheistic, western religion dominated by Christianity
