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The Henna Artist


The Henna Artist opens a door into a world that is at once lush and fascinating,...
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What does the novel show about the caste system in 1950s India and people's ability to navigate the rules and restrictions within it? Is this same caste system still in place today?

Created: 03/27/20

Replies: 7

Posted Mar. 27, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

What does the novel show about the caste system in 1950s India and people's ability to navigate the rules and restrictions within it? Is this same caste system still in place today?

What does the novel show about the caste system in 1950s India and people's ability to navigate the rules and restrictions within it? Is this same caste system still in place today?


Posted Apr. 04, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
paulak

Join Date: 04/21/11

Posts: 264

RE: What does the novel show about the caste system in 1950s India and people's ability to navigate the rules and restrictions within it? Is this same caste system still in place today?

I had to look this one up to see if the caste system still exists. Apparently, the untouchable caste distinction was abolished as was discrimination by caste but like any long-held more, the legal distinction and the societal distinction are two different things. I think all social hierarchies are rooted in fear or at least in protectionism of the status quo, which is a significant theme in "The Henna Artist."


Posted Apr. 04, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
gwenc

Join Date: 07/14/12

Posts: 94

RE: What does the novel show about the caste system in 1950s India and people's ability to navigate the rules and restrictions within it? Is this same caste system still in place today?

The novel really illuminated the caste system for me. I appreciated the appendix with specific information. Like Paula I don't have specific info (only a few Indian friends) but suspect it is very much in play as family names distinguish you even if your job doesn't.


Posted Apr. 04, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
melanieb

Join Date: 08/30/14

Posts: 265

RE: What does the novel show about the caste system in 1950s India and people's ability to navigate the rules and restrictions within it? Is this same caste system still in place today?

The caste system in India is centuries old so I would think navigating the system is second nature. I think the caste system is still in effect today to some degree. The novel portrays the caste system in a way that seems more nuanced in Lakshmi’s customer circle and more pronounced in her familial interactions.


Posted Apr. 13, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
TaraM

Join Date: 07/17/19

Posts: 54

RE: What does the novel show about the caste system in 1950s India and people's ability to navigate the rules and restrictions within it? Is this same caste system still in place today?

paulak shares some great insights about the differences between the legal distinctions vs the social distinctions. Maintaining the status quo is definitely linked to fear.


Posted Apr. 14, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
karenking

Join Date: 04/15/19

Posts: 19

RE: What does the novel show about the caste system in 1950s India and people's ability to navigate the rules and restrictions within it? Is this same caste system still in place today?

I have read many books about India and the caste system particularly A Fine Balance which is a fantastic read! Another book is The White Tiger. I am drawn to Indian fiction that depicts the caste system and though I believe the caste system has been outlawed it is still in effect. Something that goes back some 3000 years is hard to change. The Henna Artist did a good job of describing the caste system in the 1950s.


Posted Apr. 21, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
pennyp

Join Date: 03/22/12

Posts: 353

RE: What does the novel show about the caste system in 1950s India and people's ability to navigate the rules and restrictions within it? Is this same caste system still in place today?

I think the book did a good job of describing the caste system of the 50’S. I know it was supposedly abolishe but when we visited there several years ago, the caste system seemed to be fully intact, the difference was that the lowest caste was no longer called untouchables.


Posted Apr. 23, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
MaureenDowning

Join Date: 02/12/20

Posts: 2

RE: What does the novel show about the caste system in 1950s India and people's ability to navigate the rules and restrictions within it? Is this same caste system still in place today?

I think the caste system is still in India today. You have the Brahmins down to the untouchables and everything in between.


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