Caste System In Rukmani's Nectar In A Sieve

Nectar in a Sieve is about the caste system, determined by your class at birth. Once you are born into your class, there is no way out of it. In Rukmani’s situation, she was born into a higher class, but based on her marriage she was brought down to the lowest class. The caste system makes everyday life a challenge, especially for the lower class. Rukmani’s neighbor Kali is constantly complaining about the troubles of living in the lower class and being considered as “untouchable.” The caste system also makes any communication between castes forbidden. As Kali’s husband says, “Their life is theirs and yours yours; neither change nor exchange is possible” (Markandaya 48). What he means by this is that the caste system will never change, so neither will the challenges they face in their lives. The caste system keeps Rukmani and the lower class in poverty and growing more poor because of India’s beliefs.

Ever since growing up and watching her sisters have stunning weddings, Rukmani could not wait for one of her own. But after Rukmani’s

Arjun and Thambi, her two oldest sons, begin to work there. The tannery’s salary helps the out the family, but soon becomes unpleasant after her sons create a strike and are killed. Rukmani’s fourth son, Raja, is also killed by the tannery. During a time of famine, Raja was caught stealing a calfskin. Overall, Rukmani suffered a great deal from the tannery by losing three sons to it.

The caste system has been in India’s culture for a long amount of time. It is still around in India because people’s minds will not change about it. This practice has had effects on people, but growing up in a certain caste people believe it is right and just. Even people who are peasants think that is okay and do not desire to be in a higher caste, treated with respect. That is how the caste system is keeping people like Rukmani poor and making them more