We all know that humans tell each other stories. Some are experiences we've had, some are stories about people we love. other stories are fictional; hopes we wish for, dreams we beg to see come true. Many times, these fictional stories are our way of dealing with our burdens, the back of our mind hoping a miracle will take place. Without stories like this, society would be lonely, thinking no one else feels how they feel.
In Sold, Lakshmi has been told stories her entire life. When she was a girl, she dreamed of growing up and marrying Krishna. Later, she has been told stories of becoming a city maid. Unfortunately for Lakshmi, the next stories she hears are horrors of how badly Mumtaz will beat her if she dares to cross Mumtaz. Once Lakshmi sees how her like could be changed in America, she dreams to have the sotries shown on the digital camera come true; she craves freedom. Now, Lakshmi had heard stories of policemen throwing girls on the streets, but the stories of freedom overpower them. Some stories are strong enough to "endure a hundred punishments to be free" (260).
I also agree, stories can be very powerful. Young children especially, tend to easily believe in stories. For Lakshmi, she easily believed and dreamed for those stories that she was told. Even though being lied to about those stories, we can still see that there was some hope in her when she took that chance and believed in the American. I really liked the quote you put in the end by the way, really supported your topic!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I very much agree. Lakshmi is told so many stories her whole life and at the end I feel the author is sending a message that she must break free of all the stories and all the lies she is told and begin her own reality. At the very end when the American is leaving, she disregards the stories she hears and runs toward them. I feel like this is the key moment where the author is showing the message she's trying to get across. It's a refreshing end to the novel and it really shows that there is hope among the most horrible circumstances in the world.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Siena! Lakshmi only has stories to have faith over. While hearing the stories of other poor prostitution victims, Lakshmi hopes that those stories wouldn't repeat in her case. Also, when the american comes to her and tells her that he will come save her. Lakshmi can only dream of stories with happy ending which she hope to be a part of. “I shut my eyes tight. I don’t know what to believe. I believed that stranger in the yellow cloud dress was taking me to the city to work as a maid. I believed that Uncle Husband would protect me from the bad city people. I believed that if I worked hard enough here at Happiness House, I could pay down my debt. And I believed it was all worth it for the sake of my family” (250). Lakshmi has been forced into believing many stories that didn't necessarily come true for her. She has been tricked with many stories too good to be true. But, although her cruel life, without stories and dreams; Lakshmi would be no one.
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