Narrator

appearance:

- young woman from England (about 30)

- looks like her Great-Aunt Beth Crawford –> tall and flat chested (p.15), is also called ‘hijra’

state of mind:

- although she’s in India, she’s not really there >> her watch is still on English time (p. 8 )

- very interested in Olivia and the Nawab’s story

- lucky that she has found a room (p.11)

- has already get used to being appraised (p.14)

- feels being used by Chid (p. 65)

- feels integrated in Indian life (e.g. Inder Lal’s mother and her friends)

background:

- grandfather: Douglas

- grandmother: Tessie

- Great-Aunt: Beth

- she’s from England

- speaks a bit Hindu

- boarder of Inder Lal (->landlord)

aims/wishes:

- wants to find out something about Olivia’s story, wants to go to the original places

character traits:

- she has prejudices, does not know India very well (only from Olivia’s letters) (p. 8 )

- strong, doesn’t need/want help, tough, energetic, able to stay on her own, independent, has a lot of energy, somehow a bit proud of herself –> carries luggage on her own (p. 12)

- wants to adapt to India, anxious to learn new things about other cultures, open-minded –> Hindi vobabulary & grammar (p. 12)

- has her own will, doesn’t want Inder Lal to decide about her way of living in her room, self-confident

- luxury isn’t important for her –> empty room (p. 11)

- content with her lifestyle

- has knowledge of human nature, sensitive, able to reflect on herself –> knows about Inder Lal’s feelings (p. 12)

- self-confident, tolerant –> notices that others are observing her, but doesn’t really care about it

- able to change her point of view (puts herself in the Indian’s position), understanding, has attention to her surroundings, objective, realistic –> understands Indian people’s reactions

- intelligent –> knows a lot of European’s position in India

- is interested in other people’s stories –> three young Europeans at travellers’ rest-house (p. 12)

- takes great care for other people (e.g. for Ritu) (p.53)

- brave, isn’t afraid of anything (–> groan) (p. 61)

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- her Hindi gets better, speaks more fluently (p.52)

- cottons up to Inder Lal and his mother, also with mother’s friends