Red Earth and Pouring Rain: Analysis of Major Characters
"Red Earth and Pouring Rain" is a multi-layered narrative that weaves together the lives of diverse characters against the backdrop of colonial India. At its center is Abhay Misra, a contemporary Indian man grappling with his identity after studying abroad, who becomes connected to historical figures through a reincarnation theme. Sanjay Parasher, a 19th-century Brahman poet, navigates his past lives, facing challenges such as colonization and personal loss, ultimately finding himself reincarnated in the body of a monkey. The story also features Sikander Skinner, an Anglo-Indian soldier whose loyalty to the British leads to tragic consequences, and Janvi Skinner, an Indian princess whose life is marked by love, loss, and sacrifice.
Other characters, such as Dr. Paul Sarthey and Gul Jahaan, add complexity to the narrative, depicting themes of power, betrayal, and the impact of colonialism. The interconnected stories highlight the struggles and resilience of individuals across cultures and time periods, reflecting a rich tapestry of human experience that resonates with the broader themes of identity and heritage. The narrative's exploration of these characters invites readers to engage with the historical context and the personal journeys of those living in a time of significant social and political change.
Red Earth and Pouring Rain: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Vikram Chandra
First published: 1995
Genre: Novel
Locale: Ajmer, Rajasthan, India; Pomona, California; Houston, Texas; London, England
Plot: Magical realism
Time: 1751–1989
Abhay Misra, a young Indian man of average stature with relatively light complexion, who returns home to his parents after graduating from Pomona College in California in 1989. At the beginning of his senior year, he has a large, unexplained bruise ranging down his neck. He plays cricket well. He is of irascible temperament and somewhat moody. He reembraces his Indian heritage against which he rebelled.
Sanjay Parasher, a nineteenth-century Indian Brahman poet. Of slight build, he suffers a boyhood accident, as a result of which he temporarily has double vision and loses his ability to speak. In 1989, his soul is reincarnated into the body of the monkey shot by Abhay. To stay alive in this body, Sanjay must tell the story of his previous lives to an audience outside Abhay's parents' home. He tells of the circumstances leading up to his birth; he is born at the same moment as his childhood friend Sikander Skinner. He recovers his ability to speak after Sikander's mother commits suicide. He becomes a poet and rebels against the British colonization of India. He commits ritual suicide in a cave to become an invincible immortal, emerging after thirty-two years. He incites a failed rebellion against the British, for which he is hanged. Reemerging from death, he travels to London, where he defeats Dr. Paul Sarthey. He returns to India to die in 1889. He is reincarnated into the monkey's body one hundred years later.
James “Sikander” Skinner, inspired by a historical person, a successful Anglo-Indian soldier from the nineteenth century. Of sturdy build with a robust body, his features combine European and Indian elements. He is a natural leader with great charisma. He is born to a British soldier and an Indian princess. He embarks on a successful military career. After joining the British side, he refuses to betray them out of fierce loyalty. He has many wives and children. Sanjay kills him on December 4, 1841, for his refusal to rebel against the British. His remains are interred in a church in Delhi.
Robert “Chotta” Skinner, Sikander's younger brother. He is solidly built, with Anglo-Indian features. He emerges from his brother's shadow when he lights the funeral pyre on which their mother, Janvi, still alive, has put herself. He serves with Sikander in battle. He eventually commits suicide.
Janvi “Jenny” Skinner, a beautiful black-haired Indian princess captured by Hercules Skinner. She has a thin face with a narrow, long nose pierced by a gold ring and large dark eyes as well as a beautiful, slim body. Skinner prevents her from committing suicide, then marries her. She has many children, including James “Sikander” and Robert “Chotta.” When her husband takes her two daughters away to give them an English education in Calcutta, she commits suicide.
Hercules Skinner, a British officer in India. A stout warrior with a utilitarian outlook on life, he marries his captive, Princess Janvi, and has many children by her. He is emotionally distant from all of them.
Dr. Paul Sarthey, a traveling English physician in India. He is handsome and tall with long light hair and blue eyes. In his twenties, he treats patients in India and seeks knowledge of the land. He helps Sanjay's wife, Gul Jahaan, give birth to a baby boy. His diary, read by Sanjay, reveals he was sodomized by older students at public school in England. Sanjay later discovers that Sarthey is actually Jack the Ripper and defeats him.
Gul Jahaan, the lover and wife of Sanjay. Of extreme beauty, she inspires his best poetry. After five stillbirths, her sixth child lives, but she dies in childbirth.
Begum Sumroo, an Indian princess, a fictionalized version of a historical person. Beautiful and enigmatic, she is an excellent dancer skilled in erotic arts and suspected of witchcraft. As a young widow, she marries Walter Reinhardt. She supports young Sanjay and Sikander, loses her husband in battle, and gives a city to George Thomas. She converts to Christianity and lives to an old age.
Benoit de Boigne, a European mercenary based on a historical person, who seeks his fortune in India. He arrives in India in 1778. Serving a local Indian ruler, he sets up two European-trained Indian infantry brigades. With them, he wins a series of amazing victories. At the height of his power, he leaves India for France, where he dies, disillusioned with his life.
George Thomas, a European mercenary based on a historical person, who seeks his fortune in India. He and Walter Reinhardt compete for the love of a Begum Sumroo, who marries Reinhardt. Thomas moves on and is present when a local ruler's castle falls to the British East India Company. After consuming some of his blood, Princess Janvi magically becomes pregnant with three sons, including Sikander and Chotta, whom Thomas later meets in battle. Realizing who they are, he refuses to fight and surrenders to the British, dying soon after.
Walter Reinhardt, the Sombre, a European mercenary based on a historical person, who seeks his fortune in India. He and George Thomas compete for the love of Begum Sumroo, who marries him.
Amanda James, a freshman college student who falls in love with Abhay. She is Caucasian with red hair and a light complexion. Her father, William, is a tough Texas judge, and her mother, Candy, was a Playboy magazine centerfold model. When Amanda travels with Abhay to India, she is spooked by Bombay and flies back to the United States.
Uday Singh, an Indian soldier. He has a white beard and a lean body. He is instrumental in the magical conceptions of Sikander, Sanjay, and Chotta. He dies in battle.
Ram Mohan, a Brahman poet, uncle of Sanjay. With a frail body, he dedicates himself to Sanjay. He is arrested after Janvi's suicide and dies soon after.
Yama, the Hindu lord of death who seeks to claim Sanjay's soul. Sanjay and Hanuman strike a deal with him in which Sanjay can remain in a monkey's body if he can captivate the interest of a public audience with his story.
Hanuman, the monkey-shaped Hindu deity who supports Sanjay against Yama.
Ganesha, the elephantine Hindu deity who removes obstacles for Sanjay's storytelling.