Discuss the portrayal of the Bidhata Purush in Divakaruni’s novel. How do Anju and Sudha’s perspectives on the deity change? How does the Bidhata Purush reflect the broader themes of destiny and free will?

“It is only the story […] that saves our progeny from blundering like blind beggars into the spikes of the cactus fence.” Consider the relevance of the epigraph by Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe to the novel as a whole.

Anju and Sudha are raised in a household presided over by three “mothers.” Consider the portrayal of matriarchy and patriarchy in the novel.