Characterisation of Freya
In this section of the study guide, we will focus upon the characterisatio…
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Freya
Freya is the viewpoint character of the short story, i.e. the reader perceives everything through her eyes and thoughts. She is also a woman in her forties, married to Mukesh, a psychiatrist, with a daughter, Rita, in college.
“Freya pitched in as a teacher’s assistant at the local primary school where their daughter Rita had gone. It was something to fill her time and make her feel she was giving something back. Although it was unclear to her what she was supposed to be giving back” ( ll. 96-99)
The direct characterisation lets us know that we are dealing with a serious woman, the voice of rationality and common sense in her relationshi…
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Jacob and Mukesh
Jacob is Pearl’s husband, and Mukesh is Freya’s husband. As the two are not fully described in the short story and because they resemble one another, we believe that they should be analysed together.
Jacob’s job is not mentioned in the short story. We know only what Freya tells us and what Pearl lets us infer: he is a man that do…
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The guru - the man who hugs women
The man that gives the title of the short story is only present in the story for a few moments, but he is of great importance for the development of the characters. Pearl finds about his existence from a friend:
“She told me about this guy she went to see, he’s like a guru …
