Peter Conlon

4 / 18 / 2016
ENGL 414
Dr. Burke
LSW Homeless Birds
Your response will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
____ clear statement of your opinion of the books depiction of India
____ effective use of examples to clarify your point
____ convincing development of argument(s) in support of your opinion
____ clear and accurate expression of your ideas
I think the books depiction of traditional India life is accurate. Its not
negative, its just how it is in certain parts of India to this day. The very first
sentence discusses the fact that Koly needs to get married even if she is only
13 and the religious aspect of fasting (pg 6). The attitude towards women
was how traditional Indian society worked. It could be eye-opening to the
class but I dont know how it would be best to present it. I read some multicultural lit before in school (The Good Earth) and it was pretty brutal at how
it portrayed rural Chinese life. Koly family needs to marry her off for
economic reasons and that would be a hard pill to swallow as a parent. Even
after Hari dies, Koly is on her own. Her mother-in-law just treats her like
another mouth to feed. That is horrible, but it reminds the reader of the
abject poverty.