The Storyteller's Secret

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018

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Part 4: “Jaya”Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 4, Chapter 23 Summary

In the present, Jaya reflects on her parents’ expectations. Jaya’s mother once tried to convince Jaya to pursue a career in medicine like her father, but Jaya refused. Her parents decided not to push Jaya if medicine wasn’t what she wanted.

Ravi explains that he has been paying for the caretaking of the house, mill, and school’s garden from his own savings out of a sense of responsibility to the family. Jaya’s grandfather owned the school; upon his death, possession of the property passed to Jaya’s mother. If the property isn’t claimed within 60 days, it will be sold—disrupting Jaya’s grandmother’s legacy. The people of the village don’t seem willing to talk about her mother despite the fact that she grew up there.

Back at the house, Jaya is unable to sleep. She writes another blog post. In it, she explores the legacy of creative writing within her family as well as the ease with which she has pursued her career: “It never occurred to me to ask permission or wonder if I was allowed to be more than others wanted” (163). She expresses her privilege and relative naiveté growing up in America. This time, “tired of hiding” (164), Jaya sends the blog post to the editor.

Part 4, Chapter 24 Summary

A few days later, Jaya combs her hair free of lice. Ravi promises to bring her an herbal paste to apply to her. A young girl from the neighboring village comes by. Her father’s store has a telephone; there is someone on the line for Jaya.

They hurry back to the store as quickly as possible, Jaya slipping off her shoes halfway, astonished that she was “running barefoot through villages in India” (166). The phone call is from Patrick, but the connection is poor and his voice crackly. Instantly, Jaya is flooded with memories of their marriage and the devastation of her miscarriages. She still wears her wedding ring. She wonders if Patrick called to work things out. The connection breaks and Jaya calls him back, but as she waits for him to pick up, she remembers his new relationship with Stacey. Jaya hangs up just as Patrick picks up the phone.

Part 4 Analysis

Growing up, Jaya never experienced the lack of freedom that Amisha struggles so hard to overcome. When her parents insist that she become a doctor, Jaya simply told them no, and they instantly acceded, allowing Jaya to pursue a career as a journalist. The novel contrasts this with the experiences of Neema, whose anguish about her unwanted marriage has no easy solutions and leads to despair. In a new blog post, Jaya reflects upon her naiveté at never before investigating the history of feminist women who fought for her right to determine her future: “It never occurred to me to ask permission or wonder if I was allowed to be more than others wanted” (163). The privilege she enjoyed growing up in America becomes all the more precious the more she hears of her grandmother’s life.

This time, Jaya sends the blog post for publication. The strength she has gathered from hearing Amisha’s story begins her healing process, and her character development proceeds along a positive progression of recognition, self-awareness, and compassion. She writes “Maybe there’s hope for me after all” (164) a sentiment reflected in the next chapter in her failed phone conversation with Patrick. Jaya finally admits that she contributed much to the end of their relationship; she must repair her own hurt first before she can consider anything else. Hanging up on Patrick is her attempt to “find [her] way home” (169).