Chapter 6: The Third and Final Continent

The details provided show an uncomfortable picture of life which is faced with a financial crisis. The author had travelled in a third-class cabin. He talks about the struggle to earn a living and establish oneself abroad. The author, along with three or four friends, stayed together and shared an ice-cold washroom. Along with his friends, the author took turns cooking pots of curry and ate with their hands on a table covered with newspapers. The things he had faced in his life could be well understood by events such as watching the cricket match at Lord’s or listening to Mukesh. Some habits like smoking, walking barefoot, drinking tea and roaming around on weekends show that he wasn’t all set in his life. The term ‘penniless’ shows the financial crisis which he faced when he was studying at LSE.

The narrator experienced different phases of life. During bachelorhood, he cleverly adjusted a good deal while surviving under an uncomfortable and absurd condition. In order to meet his expenses, he worked in a library while attending lectures at LSE. He finally got accommodation with people like him who shared toilets, food, etc. He led a reckless life soaking dirty dishes, eating with hands, walking barefoot and doing things which were expected from lazy and aimless people. The next phase of his life was when he got married and found a full-time job in America. He moved there as he got a permanent job in the processing department of the library at MIT. He did not begin to live his life lavishly. His budget was the same as when he was a college student. The pace of life in America is the main aspect which changed drastically. Every human being was in a hurry to reach the top. In his accommodation, he got adjusted to different noises, like the movement of buses which were rumbling all night, and flashing sirens which were suffocating and distracting him. Life was not calm and peaceful as he had wished, with no “breeze to cool” his face or no “glittering ocean to thrill” him. The change in his schedule was depicted at various events, such as buying milk, etc. At the YMCA building, his life turned intolerant and stifling with the uncomfortable conditions of living and intolerable noise, due to which he suffered from disturbed sleep.

As seen in the beginning of the story, Mrs Croft is very demanding with an authoritative tone in her voice. She could be depicted as a hypocrite when she questioned the author if he was a Tech or Harvard, based on which she would be renting her flat. When it came to following instructions, she was very strict. She was very traditional, with strong ideals which should be followed without any queries. As time passed, her character was revealed. She looked hard on the outside but was a soft-hearted person on the inside. When it came to restricting lady visitors at her place, she was very strict even though the author mentioned that he was a married man. With the passage of time, her character was moulded, which made the author develop an affection for her. She was kind and grateful according to the demand of the situation. She seemed to be vulnerable sometimes, mainly when the author got to know that she was one hundred and three years old. In this way, there are different shades of light thrown while describing her character.

The relationship between Mrs Croft and her daughter Helen was not that of affection and love. They normally shared a practical life based on logic and strong decisions. She looked like a realistc person who did not get emotional about things. Her responsibilities for Mrs Croft were carried on by her as a schedule. She lacked care and empathy and clearly knew the weakness of her mother. It is visible when she states, ‘She slips sometimes.’ The huge gap between both generations was shown when they varied in their opinion on women who wore miniskirts on the streets. Helen was calm about the main fact that Mrs Croft was three years older than a century and required constant supervision, assistance and love.

The Indian way of life and American society have a very noticeable difference. It was difficult for the author’s wife, Mala, to adjust to the American lifestyle.

The bond of affection between Mrs Croft and the narrator evolves when he prepares soup for dinner for the old lady and takes good care of her. The bond is also clearly visible when he introduces his wife, Mala, for the first time to the old woman, and she appreciates him for being a responsible man.