Characters
This character is deeply affected by the realization that her affair with Dev was based on a misunderstanding of the nature of their relationship.
Who is Miranda?
Miranda is drawn to Dev because of his background. This theme looks at how their cultural differences affect their relationship.
What is cultural difference and attraction?
"It was a wife’s worst nightmare. After nine years of marriage, Laxmi told Miranda, her cousin’s husband had fallen in love with another woman."
What is Laxmi describing the affair her cousin's husband is having?
This place, where Dev tells Miranda she’s sexy, symbolizes her fascination with the broader world and her illusions about love.
What is the Mapparium?
This character initially deceives Miranda by pretending to be single, only to reveal his marital status later in the story.
Who is Dev?
This theme is shown through Miranda's affair with Dev and Laxmi’s cousin’s troubled marriage, highlighting how men control extramarital affairs.
What is marital infidelity and male power?
"You’re the first," he told her, admiring her from the bed. "The first woman I’ve known with legs this long."
What does Dev say to flatter Miranda during their affair?
This item, bought by Miranda to impress Dev, symbolizes her role as his mistress and the limits of their relationship.
What is the cocktail dress?
This character’s casual conversation with Miranda about superhero comics unwittingly exposes the superficial nature of Miranda's relationship with Dev.
Who is Rahul?
This theme is shown when Miranda lets herself believe her relationship with Dev is meaningful, but a boy’s comment forces her to see the truth.
What is self-deception and honesty?
"I know what it’s like to be lonely," he said, suddenly serious, and at that moment Miranda felt that he understood her."
What does Dev say to make Miranda feel understood?
This word, spoken by Dev in the Mapparium and by Rohin when Miranda wears the cocktail dress, forces her to confront the reality of her affair.
What is "sexy"?
Miranda’s profession is revealed in the story. What is it?
What is working at a public radio station in the fundraising department.
Miranda spends a lot of time alone, even during her affair, showing this theme of the story.
What is social isolation, passivity, and loneliness?
"Say something," Dev whispered in the Mapparium. "You’re sexy," he whispered back when she responded.
What does Dev say to Miranda in the Mapparium?
Rohin’s comment about this item reveals to Miranda that her relationship with Dev is superficial and based on objectification.
What is the cocktail dress?
What character is not featured in the story, but is a vital part of the plot’s background?
Who is Dev’s wife?
Dev mostly sees Miranda as attractive, showing how relationships based only on looks are bound to fail.
What is the shallowness of relationships based on physical attraction?
"It means loving someone you don’t know," Rohin whispered, revealing to Miranda a harsh truth about her relationship with Dev.
What does Rohin say to Miranda that changes her perspective on her affair with Dev?
At the end of the story, Miranda reflects on her failed relationship while sitting outside this symbolic structure.
What is the Mapparium?