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Heat And Dust

Heat and Dust by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala

The plot
The events of the story take place in India, during the periods of the British Raj in the 1920s and the present day of the novel (the 1970s). A young English woman, searches for the truth about Olivia (1920s), the first wife of her grandfather.
The narrator discovers that Olivia was a woman smothered by the social restrictions placed upon her by British society. She falls in love with a Nawab and becomes pregnant with his child. Her decision to abort the baby results in a scandal. In discovering the truth about these events, the narrator also comes to fall in love with an Indian man, understand herself better and develops an interest in India.

The characters
The narrator:
Comes to India in the 1970s to reconstruct her step-grandmother's life in Satipur
has no difficulties in adapting to Indian culture
modest, tolerant, open-minded
gains an insight into Hindu life through Inder Lal's family
not oblivious to the cruelty, hypocrazy and condescending behaviour of Satipur
prespective: analyses her surroundings
reasonable and rational
irritation at Chid's importunites in contrast to her objective behaviour towards the Indians
any behaviour lacking reasonableness arouses her suspicion: Chid or the Hindus behaviour towards sick and dying people
affair with the landlord: doesnt get emotionally involved, just an ambitious attempt to follow Olivia's footsteps
becomes oblivious to India and its problems
turns indifferent
lacks compassion and comittment
becomes pregnant
gap between the thoughts and feelings of the narrator and the experience and judgement as a critical and distant observer

The narrator's development:
has not got anything or anyone to keep her in Britain → not settled in life, no family yet
not used to life in India → finding out more about Olivia and life in India (feels a special kind of connection to the country), is interested in the secrecy of Olivia's life
Inder Lal...