What do you see as the basic similarities and differences between Lakshmi and the Maharanis she works for? Who has more freedom? Who has more advantages?
Created: 03/27/20
Replies: 6
Join Date: 10/15/10
Posts: 3442
What do you see as the basic similarities and differences between Lakshmi and the Maharanis she works for? Who has more freedom? Who has more advantages?
Join Date: 04/21/11
Posts: 264
I think Lakshmi has more freedom but it has come at a price. She has given up family and societal expectations to forge her own path. While her clients may have more monetary advantages, she definitely has the advantage of wisdom and independence.
Join Date: 06/05/18
Posts: 245
The similarities are how women are marginalized in that society. Lakshmi pretends that her husband is still with her to her clients so she is not seen as a threat or a disgrace. The maharanis are trapped within their homes with expectations that they will do whatever society demands of them. The younger of the two has her child taken away from her and sent to boarding school but has no say in the decision.
The older maharani works within her scope of power to manipulate situations but ultimately can only do so much.
Lakshmi has freedom but has to work hard for what she gets. She can not make a social mistake without being ostracized - as we see from her one night stand.
Join Date: 06/23/13
Posts: 142
Lakshmi has more freedom. She is free to run her business and make her own decisions. Even though she may not have the monetary advantages that the maharanis have, she has the independence that they do not. She is always hustling to stay ahead of her expenses, but overall I think she is a much happier person.
Join Date: 08/30/14
Posts: 265
Lakshmi has more freedom but the Maharanis have more advantages. Lakshmi has more individual freedom because of her “fallen” Brahmin status while the Maharanis status requires strict adherence to expectations.
Join Date: 05/24/11
Posts: 196
Lakshmi appears to have more freedom, but she is totally dependent on the whims of her clients. That has to be frightening.
Likewise, the maharanis are subject to the whims of their husbands...equally frightening.
Join Date: 04/14/20
Posts: 121
Both were part of a well defined caste system where men were the dominate decision makers. Both have insight into their circumstances being unfair. They both were kind but keep that character trait somewhat hidden. Lakshmi has freedom from a husband’s rule but is totally responsible for herself. The maharanis have all the material items they want yet feel trapped due to being under the complete control of their husband’s desires and are unable to work outside their palaces.
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