Fasting, Feasting

by

Anita Desai

Mrs. Joshi Character Analysis

Mrs. Joshi is the neighbor and friend of MamaPapa and their family. Kind to Uma, Mrs. Joshi has a more modern parenting style and outlook on the world than Mama, and Uma often wishes Mrs. Joshi were her mother. The only example in the novel of a woman who is in a "love marriage", Mrs. Joshi is one of the only genuinely happy characters. She feels free within her marriage to express herself and allow her children to feel free and take their own paths in life.
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Mrs. Joshi Character Timeline in Fasting, Feasting

The timeline below shows where the character Mrs. Joshi appears in Fasting, Feasting. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 7
Gender and Social Roles Theme Icon
Family Life and Individual Freedom Theme Icon
In the modern day, Uma is visiting the family’s neighbor Mrs. Joshi , who offers Uma homemade ice cream. Uma quickly eats two cups of ice cream,... (full context)
Gender and Social Roles Theme Icon
Family Life and Individual Freedom Theme Icon
Tradition/India vs. Modernity/West Theme Icon
...relatives and friends, who are all helping to find a marriage for Uma. Their neighbor, Mrs. Joshi , arranges for the Syal family from another town to come meet Uma. Against Uma’s... (full context)
Gender and Social Roles Theme Icon
Family Life and Individual Freedom Theme Icon
Tradition/India vs. Modernity/West Theme Icon
...pursue his education instead. The dowry cannot be returned, for it has already been spent. Mrs. Joshi scolds Mama for not informing her sooner, as it is well known that the Goyal... (full context)
Chapter 11
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
The novel tells the story of Mama’s friend and neighbor, Mrs. Joshi —one of few people who Mama allows Uma to visit. Mrs. Joshi arrived to the... (full context)