Tone
Definition: Suggests an attitude toward the subject which is communicated by the words the author chooses.
Quote: “I was ignorant of the simplest things, and no ornament either. Kali and Janaki between them had to show me how to milk the goat, how to plant seed, how to churn butter from milk, and how to mull rice. What patience indeed my husband must have had… and praise for whatever small success I achieved” (9-10)
Context: Ruku marries “below herself” and feels unhelpful to her husband. In order to accomplish tasks she never had to do before (because she was born in to a family higher in the caste system) Ruku must learn from the local women.
Concept: The narrator’s tone is honest and simple as she discusses her path to a new life. Ruku does not mind describing herself as “without beauty” (4) and being no ornament for it is the truth. Being a straightforward woman, Rukmani does not try to soften any harsh realities such as her complete ignorance of the peasant’s way of life. She embraces this ignorance and learns with a great earnestness in order to help her husband work the land. Her husband’s patience impresses her and his simple words of praise greatly motivate her. Ruku is a simple woman who lives for the little pieces of happiness that she can find and learns from her mistakes.
Connection: Despite knowing nothing about hard labor and life on a farm, Ruku learns to adapt. She does not simply break down and give up, or give all the work to her husband. In her
