Rebecca Metcalf

Dr. Burke
ENGL. 414 A
April 29, 2014
LSW Assignment Homeless Bird

I do not agree that Homeless Bird presents an excessively negative view of life in India. Many of
the themes and issues that Koly must endure within her world are those which many young people of
Kolys age in the United States must face every day.
Death is a thme that runs through much of this story. Kolys husband dies of tuberculosis very
soon into their lives together. Sassur, Kolys father, also dies after being laid-off from his position as an
educator. As it is for Koly, death does unfortunately often force itself into the lives of young people;
grandparents, aunts, uncles, and even parents and siblings is a harsh and life-altering reality for
teenagers. How these teenagers come through the grieving process can bring young people to cherish
their lives and those in it or, sadly, shut out emotions, feelings, and enjoyment in life.
Chores, tasks, and jobs become a major aspect of life for adolescents as they enter their teenage
years. Koly's mother-in-law, Sass, is highly demanding. She discourages Koly from enjoying any type of
recreation, scarcely gives her a moment's rest, and is highly critical of how Koly carries out the tasks she
is ordered to do. While many adolescents in the United States do not face such scrutiny in the chores
and tasks they do, it is true that many teenagers find work an obstacle in life that gets in the way of their
freedom, recreation, and time with friends. A strong work ethic is important to instill in every child, of
the U.S. or India, to ensure success as they grow into adulthood.
Young people's lives are filled with both role models and negative influences. Koly,
unfortunately, happens upon the wrong crowd in her journey. Mala, one of Koly's coworkers, invites her
to a party. It is there that Koly finds Kajal, an artist who desires to have sexual relations with the Koly
and persuades the young girl into sipping a drink tinged with hemp. Thankfully, Koly leaves these bad
influences behind for a promising future, which is a lesson we want all youth to learn.
This story is one that contains many dark aspects of life and shows how a young girl faced many
obstacles and yet still managed to succeed. While there is much darkness in Homeless Bird, I do not
think it presents a negative view of life in India because children in the United States, as well as other
countries, are forced to deal with death, demands of life, and negative influences daily. The setting of
India has very specific means to the story, but the overall themes could be set with any other place in
the world as well.