ABSTRACT
As in earlier chapters, Muli serves as a mediator between KoJci and her lovers; this time, however, he persuades and cajoles her lovers to give expensive gifts at her wedding. Muli’s teacher is portrayed as a miser who reluctantly gives Koki a gift only when Muli forces it out of him. By contrast, Dash Babu, the Brahman contractor, appears both generous and deeply devoted to Koki. Predictably, Muli resents Dash Babu when, thanks to Muli’s efforts, Koki returns Dash Babu’s affections.
Muli portrays himself again as a quick-witted liar—a clever man who manipulates people with words. The one person whom he cannot sway is his father, who constantly criticizes him. Muli easily handles his mother. When she criticizes him for coming home late, he deflects her anger by pretending to be ill, refusing to eat, and then protesting with mock anger when she tries to force him to eat. Muli’s account of his relationships with his parents is consistent with descriptions by others in India who present the same general themes: authoritarian fathers, indulgent mothers, sulking sons, and pampered daughters.
