Trace Mohan's evolution in the course of his travels with Smita.

Trace Mohan's evolution in the course of his travels with Smita.

After Smita tells Mohan about the traumatic incident that her family experienced, he says, "Until I met you, until I met Meena, I really believed India was the greatest country in the world. But after hearing your story? I... I just ... I feel like I've been asleep my whole life.

Great quote from the book, CLTAYL00! Though Mohan was modest, he still was a wealthy and privileged person. He had the freedom to pick his own course in life, but still was an honorable and considerate person. He was happy to help his friend, Shannon, in any way he could to decrease the stress caused by her medical ailment. He "played" that same role with Smita as an extension of Shannon. However, over the course of the novel, and because of all that he witnesses and becomes aware of, he went from being a helper/companion to a proactive doer. He was definitely my favorite character in the book.

He sees India with blinders on because of his privilege - family wealth and being a male. Smita periodically put him on the defensive about his view of India. When he learns of her past and what she/her family went through, and then what he experiences with Meena, caused him to lose the blinders. He opened his eyes to the fact that there were many, many versions of "India," and some not so pleasant as his version.

It is interesting to see his views change during the book as he confronts the "real" India in the poorer areas of his country. Hopefully, as he watched the treatment of Meena, hears about Smita's experience, sees the ease that the judge in this case was compromised by the men involved, he will at least with Smita's voice in the news media, try to make some changes in his country.

Mohan lived a life of privilege plus being male defined for him the life he would lead until he met Smita and Meena who made him see the real world giving the courage to break free of this restrictive lifestyle and reach out to others not so fortunate and listen and learn from them.

Mohan’s eyes are opened to the “different” Indias as he witnesses first-hand the realities of Smita’s, Meena’s and even, Anjali’s daily challenges. Up until this point, he has worn the blinders of a male privileged world.

He had not been exposed to the other side of India. He was raised in a well-to-do family. As they travel though the country side of India, he sees things that he did not know existed, I understand this. I was raised in Minnesota and I was in high school before I realized that the blacks were still not equal. My eyes were opened as were Mohan's.

It took 4 industrious women to open his eyes by following them through different experiences in India. Shannon, Anjali, Smita, and Meena all represented different parts of his country.
I often feel people who travel gain a much broader view of where they come from and the wider world which fosters empathy and kindness. You eventually except it’s not all about you and it makes you a more empathetic person. Mohan just needed to travel his own country. It helped open his eyes to the realities others experience in his own homeland.

As the book begins, Mohan and Smita have very different feelings about India. These change as the plot develops and Smita comes to reconnect with happy childhood memories and Mohan is confronted with the corruption and cruelty of village life. He evolves from a man of means, privilege and pride to one who has a more nuanced view of his country. I doubt, however, that he would adjust well to life in the United States as he would miss the life style his wealth has allowed him in his native land.

I don’t believe Mohan had experienced much of life outside of the big city. He seem to have lived a pretty privileged life and took it for granted, still of course being a fine person. He saw for himself many injustices that Smita faced as a women traveling. You could just feel the turmoil in his heart as he saw the other side of his beloved India.His views were definitely evolving, changing and he was coming to grips with a different side of India that he had not seen earlier in his life. I feel he will obviously struggle with what he has seen and experienced with his time with Smita.

I really like your reference to traveling, jos, as a way to learn more about the world. Mohan was very educated, could easily navigate Mumbai, and had a lot of privilege due to his wealth and religion. Yet, he did not have the experience one gains by traveling. He didn’t have a reference point for how others in India live until he moved outside of his comfort area. Abru will be a constant reminder too of why he needs to help make changes in India.

I agree with several others who mention that Mohan comes from a privileged background and is not aware of the issues that plague India. He does transform into a more open individual during the course of the book.

I think he knew that there were differences in the classes, but never had the opportunity to meet someone who actually experiences them. He was conflicted but could also respect the traditions that show respect. He could have become very bitter , but he didn’t.

Mohan is like many of us who are happy and comfortable in the space we occupy. It is not until we grow by reading, traveling and meeting people outside our own community that are eyes open to a clearer view of the world.