Fasting, Feasting

by

Anita Desai

Mrs. O'Henry Character Analysis

Mrs. O'Henry is the American Baptist missionary who lives in Uma's village, and the sister to Mrs. Patton. Intent on proselytizing, Mrs. O'Henry uses social events to spread her Christian message to the Indian women in her village. Yet, she is kind and helpful, always making an effort to invite Uma to social events, to correspond with her, and to involve her in the community. Mrs. O'Henry is one of the few friends Uma keeps as an adult.
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Mrs. O'Henry Character Timeline in Fasting, Feasting

The timeline below shows where the character Mrs. O'Henry appears in Fasting, Feasting. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 9
Family Life and Individual Freedom Theme Icon
Plenty/"Feasting" vs. Want/"Fasting" Theme Icon
Loneliness and Togetherness Theme Icon
...own life, and Ramu is nowhere to be found. She gets the courage to call Mrs. O’Henry , a Christian missionary lady who worked with the school. Mrs. O’Henry is not at... (full context)
Chapter 10
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
In the modern day, Uma is invited to a coffee party thrown by Mrs. O’Henry , the Baptist missionary she admires. Mama and Papa say there is no good reason... (full context)
Chapter 11
Gender and Social Roles Theme Icon
Family Life and Individual Freedom Theme Icon
Plenty/"Feasting" vs. Want/"Fasting" Theme Icon
...inability to keep up with grammatical directions. The letter tells Arun that the sister of Mrs. O’Henry , Mrs. Patton, is inviting Arun to stay in her home in Massachusetts for the... (full context)
Family Life and Individual Freedom Theme Icon
Plenty/"Feasting" vs. Want/"Fasting" Theme Icon
Loneliness and Togetherness Theme Icon
...Mother Agnes at the convent, inviting Uma to come to the Christmas bazaar to help Mrs. Henry run her Christmas booth. Against the complaints of MamaPapa, Uma goes, and she describes the... (full context)