The Tigers Daughter
The Tiger’s DaughterIn a society which can not handle change, one choice or transition can trigger disaster. People and places can transform in a matter of moments leading individuals to seek stability and acceptance from others. A strong inner self is necessary in order to surpass difficult changes in life. In the novel, The Tiger’s Daughter, the author, Bharati Mukherjee, shows how recurring transitions in one’s life can lead one to discover his or her inner self.
Being a strong individual involves the ability to overcome problems and unhappiness. To climb over obstacles, one must be confident and ready for what ever may come his or her way. Hari Lal, the grandfather of the Bengal Tiger, shows this when the author says, “On other nights, Hari Lal might have ridden into that dark ness. He knew the territory well, the greenish-black soil, the sudden creeks and canals and treacherous rivers.” (4) The Bengal Tiger Banerjee receives his strong inner self from his father; the Tiger is a man who deals with barriers as they come down the road, and has no problem with change. Tara receives the trait of finding her inner self; although, she looses it as she faces complications; these complications become worse as she is unable to feel at ease with herself. Tara tries to be as strong as she can; however, she feels that she can not live up to her father’s standards, or those of society. “The vibrations excited her. She felt ready for death. She’d been brought nearer to it all summer. “I’m ready”, she said raising her arms in a theatrical gesture.” (99) Tara feels she has no need to live because she faces problems she cannot deal with.. She wants her life to end rather than discovering how she can overcome this rocky road. Individuals who believe in themselves and show courage can achieve what they strive for, however, if one gives up, problems begin caving in on him or her.
Differences can lead one to being oppressed in society. Individuals are often judged for what they look like, or who they are. Tara’s aunt proves this when she says, “Not only are they men, but on top of that, they’re non-Bengalis!” (20). Tara comes to realize that bias and racism occur in both, America and India. She was a racial minority while living in New York; although, coming back to India she feels no different; she notices similar judgmental qualities in the people. Bharati Mukherjee implies that discrimination still exists today. She gives proof of this when Sanjay says, “I know that discrimination still exists. He can’t fool me. We aren’t the only backward country” (150). Discrimination still exists as a form of oppression because humans do not want to see anything that they are not used to....
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