Summary

The narrator begins Chapter Five by comparing Malati to gunpowder, in her explosive potential. When the family moved, their frugal lifestyle ceased. Previously, the family members had been dependent on each other due to their need to budget money. Suddenly, Malati and the other family members could spend without reporting said transfer of funds. The narrator admits: “to be honest, we lost hold of ourselves” (51). The family quickly furnished their new house with furniture bought by Venkatachala. The family’s treatment of their possessions deteriorated with their increased accumulation. There was “chaos” in the family, and Malati “personified” said chaos (52). She was the first to start spending the family’s money with ease. Eating out became habit, especially for Malati. The narrator blames money for the family’s chaos.

Much money was spent on Malati’s wedding; the narrator called the preparations a “month-long...