Fasting, Feasting

by

Anita Desai

Ayah Character Analysis

Ayah is the nanny to Uma, Aruna, and Arun when they are young. Later in life, she stays on as the household servant. Ayah babies Uma even as an adult, and she often uses emotional appeal to get Uma to take pity on her in her old age and give her things she needs. Uma takes Ayah for granted, not recognizing her own privilege relative to Ayah.
Get the entire Fasting, Feasting LitChart as a printable PDF.
Fasting, Feasting PDF

Ayah Character Timeline in Fasting, Feasting

The timeline below shows where the character Ayah appears in Fasting, Feasting. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 4
Gender and Social Roles Theme Icon
Family Life and Individual Freedom Theme Icon
Plenty/"Feasting" vs. Want/"Fasting" Theme Icon
Tradition/India vs. Modernity/West Theme Icon
Loneliness and Togetherness Theme Icon
...She is in her room, cheerfully going through her jewelry and her other trinkets, when Ayah, her family’s servant, comes into her room and insists on brushing Uma’s hair. Ayah is... (full context)