The novel Island of a Thousand Mirrors, traces the life of two families who are each on opposite sides of the Sri Lankan civil war. The story examines how war affects the families both on the Tamil and Sinhala side through the eldest daughter’s perspective. As the story progresses, Saraswathi transforms into a suicide bomber, who eventually sacrifices her own life. The key factors that drove Saraswathi’s transformation were caused by a change in role models, an unforgiving environment, and pressure to accompany the Tamils. One of the key transitions that drove Saraswathi’s transformation was the loss of her family at the age of sixteen. Amma, her mother, explains, “You have to go from here, my daughter. We can’t keep you with us anymore.
…show more content…
When Krishna and Balaram visit home for a meal Saraswathi observes, “They didn’t praise Amma’s food. They didn’t speak of the weeks we ate unsalted rice so that they could feast. They talked only of Eelam, of their weapons, and how many bastard Sinhala soldiers they had killed” (132). This demonstrate how harsh of an environment Saraswathi had to grow up in. She was forced to stay hungry, while her brothers couldn 't even appreciate the meal that they were given. This poverty-stricken environment changes Saraswathi because it gives her the idea that joining the Tigers is the only hope left in her life. Saraswathi is also mistreated as a result of her surroundings. After she is raped she explains, “This is what it means, then, to be spoiled. It means this thick horrible smell rising from me. It means to be broken. It means forever” (153). After this event Saraswathi knows that her life will never be the same and that everyone in her village will judge her. Due to her environment she no longer feels comfortable or safe with her current lifestyle. Furthermore Saraswathi is disturbed by the loss of close friends. As Saraswathi and Luxshmi, her sister, are walking home they notice one of their friends father killed in the street (140). This effects Saraswathi by making her realize the toll of this war that she is growing up in. The aggressive environment that she is forced to face helps her realize what the Tamils can
When Krishna and Balaram visit home for a meal Saraswathi observes, “They didn’t praise Amma’s food. They didn’t speak of the weeks we ate unsalted rice so that they could feast. They talked only of Eelam, of their weapons, and how many bastard Sinhala soldiers they had killed” (132). This demonstrate how harsh of an environment Saraswathi had to grow up in. She was forced to stay hungry, while her brothers couldn 't even appreciate the meal that they were given. This poverty-stricken environment changes Saraswathi because it gives her the idea that joining the Tigers is the only hope left in her life. Saraswathi is also mistreated as a result of her surroundings. After she is raped she explains, “This is what it means, then, to be spoiled. It means this thick horrible smell rising from me. It means to be broken. It means forever” (153). After this event Saraswathi knows that her life will never be the same and that everyone in her village will judge her. Due to her environment she no longer feels comfortable or safe with her current lifestyle. Furthermore Saraswathi is disturbed by the loss of close friends. As Saraswathi and Luxshmi, her sister, are walking home they notice one of their friends father killed in the street (140). This effects Saraswathi by making her realize the toll of this war that she is growing up in. The aggressive environment that she is forced to face helps her realize what the Tamils can