How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
The women were on one side of the courtyard and the men on the other. The guests seemed interested only in the food. […] The men ate first, and when it was the women's turn, the coconut cakes were all gone. I thought it very unfair that a bride should not have a coconut cake on the day of her own wedding. (1.69)
Notice how men and women are separated at the wedding, and the guys get to snack on the grub first. That's a metaphor for thinking about the gender roles in the text. Men get the first of anything they want in life, and women get their pick of the leftovers.
Quote #5
"You have to do what I tell you because you are my wife, and besides I'm not well." (2.11)
It turns out Hari ascribes to some pretty traditional gender roles, bossing Koly around and telling her that she has to obey him because he's the man. Even though Koly bites her tongue, she figures out this isn't true at all. She can do whatever she wants, regardless of her gender.
Quote #6
"What are you teaching that girl?" she cried. "It is no wonder she forgets to do her work." (4.53)
When Mrs. Mehta discovers that Koly's learning to read, she flips out. Notice that word "girl"in her question—It's as if she's trying to point out how ludicrous it is for Koly to learn to read because of her gender.