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The Opposite of Everyone


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Kai names her children after Indian deities. What is the significance of her choices? Did you know anything about Indian deities before reading this novel?

Created: 11/19/16

Replies: 8

Posted Nov. 19, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

Kai names her children after Indian deities. What is the significance of her choices? Did you know anything about Indian deities before reading this novel?

Kai names her children after Indian deities—Kali for Paula (goddess of destruction, destroyer of evil forces); Ganesha for Julian (remover of obstacles, god of wisdom), and Hanuman for Hana (able to counteract bad Karma). What is the significance of her choices? Did you know anything about Indian deities before reading this novel?


Posted Nov. 30, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
rebeccar

Join Date: 03/13/12

Posts: 548

RE: Kai names her children after Indian deities. What is the significance of her choices? Did you know anything about Indian deities before reading this novel?

Having traveled extensively, I was familiar with some of the Indian deities, although all of the names were/ are not on the tip of my tongue. I find it very interesting when people borrow names from other cultures a- especially when deities or anything religious is involved. In college I met some people who had very unique names. It was not until years later that i realized those were not "made up" names that sounded nice but names with very special meaning in other cultures and parts of the world. I think that the significance for Kai is to honor the changes in her life, some of the things that have taken place, and hope that her children's lives are blessed.


Posted Dec. 03, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
LindaB.

Join Date: 06/11/14

Posts: 80

RE: Kai names her children after Indian deities. What is the significance of her choices? Did you know anything about Indian deities before reading this novel?

I agree that the names honored changes in her life. I really knew nothing about this topic. Thst is why I like to read diversely so that I am always learning something! new!


Posted Dec. 04, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
nancyl

Join Date: 04/21/14

Posts: 39

RE: Kai names her children after Indian deities. What is the significance of her choices? Did you know anything about Indian deities before reading this novel?

Kai is a hippie and wants to be different. I think the Indian deities was a wise decision - too bad her mother was so stodgy!


Posted Dec. 05, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
nanl

Join Date: 09/28/15

Posts: 23

RE: Kai names her children after Indian deities. What is the significance of her choices? Did you know anything about Indian deities before reading this novel?

I think it was important to Kai to have distinctive and meaningful names for her children. They represent some kind of continuity for her in an otherwise very disordered life. I have read a lot about India so recognized the names, but could not have expressed the significance of each.


Posted Dec. 05, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
andreab

Join Date: 07/29/14

Posts: 101

RE: Kai names her children after Indian deities. What is the significance of her choices? Did you know anything about Indian deities before reading this novel?

I had very little knowledge about Indian deities so learning about them added another level to my enjoyment of this book. There is so much power behind a name that has history. Paula draws on the strength of her name as she grows up.


Posted Dec. 09, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
dianaps

Join Date: 05/29/15

Posts: 460

RE: Kai names her children after Indian deities. What is the significance of her choices? Did you know anything about Indian deities before reading this novel?

I agree the names were very important to Kai. Maybe she was trying to give them a spiritual guide to help them in life.


Posted Dec. 09, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
iread49

Join Date: 04/10/13

Posts: 54

RE: Kai names her children after Indian deities. What is the significance of her choices? Did you know anything about Indian deities before reading this novel?

I did not.


Posted Jan. 04, 2017 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Peggy H

Join Date: 06/13/11

Posts: 272

RE: Kai names her children after Indian deities. What is the significance of her choices? Did you know anything about Indian deities before reading this novel?

I knew only the names of the deities. The book might have had more relevance had I read the original stories.


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