Kest Post #3

The book sold starts out with a dismal tone, however, as the book progresses it becomes horrific. There are times when Lakshmi's tone is almost detached and informative. However, I believe this is the writer's way of showing how terrible her conditions are.

At home in the mountains Lakshmi's conditions aren't pleasant. The author uses diction and writes, " Our family has no spare grain for the crow

and nothing for the stray dog, save a kick from my stepfather's sandal." (39) Unfortunately Lakshmi

has no idea just how much worse it can get. Soon she finds herself being sold like a goat from one

trafficker to the next. The writer uses imagery and writes, "But he and Auntie are laughing. They are

speaking in a strange language, but it seems they are trading numbers. Auntie names a price as high

as a mountain. The Man spits." (74). I think the langudge the author uses to describe Mumtaz is

amazingly descriptive. For instance, when the author writes, "Then Mumtaz flies at me. she grabs

me by the hair and drags me across the room." (103) After being sold to Mumtaz the writer uses

startling details to describe Lakshmi's horrific experiences. "I know how your stomach gnaws

on itself searching for something to fill it." (111) For instance, when the author writes,

"Then Mumtaz flies at me. she grabs me by the hair and drags me across the room." (103)

Towards the middle of the book the author begins to use simple sentences to send a very direct

message about how terrible life is in Mumtaz's Brothel. "I try to take in this idea-that

Monica will soon be free- when a mane comes into the room. He has city shoes on his feet and a

a gold chain around his neck. In an instant, Monica is at his side, winding her arms around him,

like a snake." (150)