How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Title.Paragraph)
Quote #1
We put out dozens of tiny oil lamps at dusk to welcome the goddess Lakshmi, my namesake, who will circle the earth and bestow wealth and blessings on the humble and the pure. (30.FestivalofLights.3)
Lakshmi's named after the goddess who blesses the pure… and innocent. Hello there, giant meaningful thing in literature. See our discussion of names in the "Symbols" section for more discussion about this topic.
Quote #2
Ama presses a coin into my palm. "Run off and buy yourself a sweet cake," she says, "like the other children."
I tell her I'm not a child anymore. I tell her not to waste her money. But she insists.
"Tonight," she says, "you are a child." (32.AttheFestival.1-3)
Lakshmi has already become a woman in the eyes of her community, but Ama continues to believe that, in some ways, Lakshmi retains her innocence. So how might Ama define innocence?
Quote #3
It is all so confusing. I am afraid of this man. But I also feel grateful that he will protect me from the bad border men with guns. (54.UncleHusband.11)
As readers we begin to understand what is happening even if Lakshmi doesn't. Uncle Husband is praying on Lakshmi's innocence and lack of information about her new and ever-changing surroundings.