Being optimistic is seen as a good thing, but too much optimism may cause them to overlook serious issues. Due to the rainstorm and her stepfathers gambling they didn’t have very much money. Her stepfather told her mother that Lakshmi would have to work in the city as a maid. “There will be one less mouth to feed here, and I will send my wages home.”...”If I go you will have enough money for the rice and curds, milk and sugar. Enough for a coat for the baby, a sweater for you.” (Page 49,). Lakshmi is being optimistic in this situation, but she is being so optimistic that she is unaware of the danger that lurks ahead of her. Lakshmi thinks she will be cleaning like a house maid and expects to get paid for her work properly, so she doesn’t ask
