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In the Shadow of the Banyan


A hauntingly powerful novel imbued with the devastation of monumental loss and ...
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Why did Raami assume that Radana was her mother’s favorite, and how does Mama’s story change Raami’s mind?

Created: 05/24/13

Replies: 7

Posted May. 24, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

Why did Raami assume that Radana was her mother’s favorite, and how does Mama’s story change Raami’s mind?

Mama tells Raami after Radana's death, "I live because of you - for you. I've chosen you over Radana." Why did Raami assume that Radana was her mother’s favorite, and how does Mama’s story change Raami’s mind?


Posted Jun. 04, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
rebeccar

Join Date: 03/13/12

Posts: 548

RE: Why did Raami assume that Radana was her mother’s favorite, and how does Mama’s story change Raami’s mind?

Raami assumes that her pretty, physically perfect mother also preferred her physically perfect younger child.


Posted Jun. 05, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
terri

Join Date: 04/11/12

Posts: 102

RE: Why did Raami assume that Radana was her mother’s favorite, and how does Mama’s story change Raami’s mind?

Raami assumed because of her polio she was less thought of. Radana seemed to be perfect in every way. Raami could have been a bit jealous of that fact.


Posted Jun. 05, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
rebajane

Join Date: 04/21/11

Posts: 320

RE: Why did Raami assume that Radana was her mother’s favorite, and how does Mama’s story change Raami’s mind?

I agree with both of you. Raami was enamored of her mother's perfection and her sister reflected that perfection so, of course, in her mind Radana would have been favored


Posted Jun. 05, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lisag

Join Date: 01/12/12

Posts: 298

RE: Why did Raami assume that Radana was her mother’s favorite, and how does Mama’s story change Raami’s mind?

As the baby, Radana was also very cute, toddling around and being as sweet and cuddly as toddlers generally are - when they're not throwing tantrums, of course...


Posted Jun. 05, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Lori

Join Date: 09/15/11

Posts: 15

RE: Why did Raami assume that Radana was her mother’s favorite, and how does Mama’s story change Raami’s mind?

I agree with the previous comments, that Raami may have assumed that her polio and resultant limp made her "less than" in her mother's eyes. Another thought, though, is that since Raami was so close with her father and had so much in common with him (was his favorite), she may have just assumed that Radana, who shared physical perfection and closeness with her mother, was therefore Mama's favorite.


Posted Jun. 06, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
joyces

Join Date: 06/16/11

Posts: 410

RE: Why did Raami assume that Radana was her mother’s favorite, and how does Mama’s story change Raami’s mind?

In addition to the fact that Radana was cute and physically perfect she was also much younger. Very young children generally require and demand a lot more attention from their mothers and being older Raami had become naturally more independent and able to entertain herself and require a great deal less supervision.
This would not of course have occurred to Raami but in fact is very common. Also, when Radana was ill and ultimately died she again would have been the center of her mothers attention.
When Raami hears her mother's story of her own life and her mother's profession of how Raami herself had always been her first and her best loved child, Raami begins to see understand and feels both guilty and relieved.


Posted Jun. 07, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
yvettet

Join Date: 09/15/12

Posts: 5

RE: Why did Raami assume that Radana was her mother’s favorite, and how does Mama’s story change Raami’s mind?

We do not know the attitudes of the general population in her country to individuals with physical and/or developmental disabilities. Many cultures have horrendous reactions: deserting babies with disabilities, not educating such individuals, or even hiding them. Because she was a princess, Raami was likely sheltered from public taunts and stares; however, she may have been cognizant of negative views. I agree with all of the reviewers’ answers to this question, but I think it may also relate to how Raami saw herself as imperfect. Despite all the love she is given, she does not feel as worthy as her “perfect” sister.


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