Character Profiles

Information about important characters in the novel.

Vidya: A 15 year old girl, who the story is narrated by. Vidya blames herself for what happened to her father, and lives with the guilt for most of the story. Her dream is to go to college, unlike most girls who leave school as soon as they are proposed to.

Kitta: Vidya's older brother, who gets caught up in the war and decides to enlist in the British army. He later regrets it, but continues in the army. He is Vidya's confidant and protecter and always comforts her when Vidya feels helpless.

Appa: He is Vidya and Kitta's father. A strong believer in Ghandi's values, he decides to join the Freedom Fighters, a peaceful protest group. He receives brain damage after trying to save a peaceful protester from a British soldier. His inability to care for his family after that, forces the family to move to his family's home.

Amma: Kitta and Vidya's loving mother. All she wants is for her daughter to be married and happy so she doesn't have to suffer. She is against Vidya and Kitta's goals, but ultimately just wants them to happy. She becomes very sad after Appa's accident, so Vidya always tries to cheer her up.

Rifka: Vidya's best friend. She is also Vidya's confidant, even when Vidya is forced to move away.

Tha-tha: Vidya and Kitta's grandfather. He runs the household where everyone moves to after Appa's accident. Everyone decision made in the house is checked with him first, and he has the most control over everything going on in the family. He is greatly respected and no one goes against what he say's. After Kitta joins the army Tha-tha disowns him, but eventually starts to understand Kitta's decision.

Periamma: Vidya and Kitta's aunt. She acts very bossy towards Vidya, and makes her do many chores in the house. She dislikes the family and goes out of her way to show it.

Periappa: The exact opposite of his brother, Appa. He disowns his brother after his accident. Like periamma, he also hates the family as well.

Sarasa Chithi: Vidya and Kitta's aunt. She does whatever periamma does, and always tries to please her.

Chinni Chithi: Also Vidya and Kitta's aunt. She does her best to comfort vidya, but is also very afraid of Periamma. Vidya is thankful for her kindness, and tries her best to help Chinni Chithi, since she is very weak.

Malati: Vidya and Kitta's beautiful cousin. She constantly brags about her engagement to Vidya. She tells the whole school about Vidya's secret. She also tries to make Vidya's life as stressful as possible, but in the end both apoligize to each other at Malati's wedding.