CHAPTER 2

Summary

• The chapter begins with a young bride's journey to her wedding in a church in 1900s South India.
• The wedding represents the merging of two families with differing social and economic backgrounds.
• Despite the groom's initial reluctance to marry a child, he is persuaded by his sister to carry through with the wedding because of the potential benefits for their family and his son.
• The young bride, although scared and confused, finds solace in her faith and her ancestral church, and acquiesces to the arranged marriage.
• As part of the marriage ceremony, the young bride's head is uncovered, and the groom ties a tiny gold necklace around her neck, marking her as a married woman.
• The newly weds don't see each other after leaving the church as the groom walks away in a rush of emotion, leaving the young bride to travel back in a boat with her sister-in-law.
• The narrative highlights that the land of Kerala, where the bride now resides, is rich in resources with its abundance of spices, water and greenery, and it's characterised by its interconnected system of rivers and canals.
• The historical context of British colonial rule in India is briefly noted, as well as the importance of spices as a source of wealth and prosperity.
• The chapter also explores the history of Saint Thomas Christians in Kerala and the arrival of European travelers and settlers, shaping the cultural and religious fabric of the region.
• The chapter concludes with the grandmother reflecting on family history, secrets, and the power and importance of storytelling to deal with familial wounds and emotional baggage.