The Silver Earrings

Koly wears the silver earrings for her wedding. They were also part of her mother’s wedding attire. Shortly after the wedding, Mrs. Mehta asks for the earrings, but Koly refuses to give them up. She hides them in the wall instead.

Dowry

A dowry consists of the money and goods given by the bride’s parents to the groom and his family prior to the wedding. Koly’s dowry is used by the Mehtas to take Hari to a holy city where they hope he will be healed of his disease.

A quilt

A quilt is what Koly makes for herself when she’s about to marry Hari. She makes it for Chandra when she’s about to be married. It’s the sight of her quilt hanging on her bedroom wall that lands her a job as an embroiderer.

The Widow's Pension