"The World We Found" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

In "The World We Found" by Thrity Umrigar, the story follows a group of four college friends who reunite after decades apart. Laleh Samadi, Kavita Sardesai, Armaiti "Armie" Vakil, and Nishta Rane are the main protagonists. The novel explores their individual journeys as they confront personal and societal challenges, reflecting the themes of friendship, loyalty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Character Descriptions

Laleh Samadi

Laleh is an Iranian woman who has been living in the United States for many years. She is a strong-willed and independent person who has built a successful career as a university professor. Laleh is known for her sharp intellect and determination. She struggles with her identity as an immigrant and the longing for her homeland.

Kavita Sardesai

Kavita is an Indian woman who is married and has a teenage daughter. She lives a comfortable life but feels unfulfilled and trapped in her marriage. Kavita is compassionate and empathetic, always thinking of others before herself. She is torn between her responsibilities as a wife and mother and her desire for personal fulfillment.

Armaiti "Armie" Vakil

Armie is a Parsi woman who lives in the United States with her husband and children. She is warm-hearted and nurturing, often acting as the peacemaker among her friends. Armie faces her own battles, including a troubled marriage and the pressure to conform to societal expectations.

Nishta Rane

Nishta is an Indian woman who is openly gay. She lives in the United States and works as a professor. Nishta is intelligent, introspective, and fiercely independent. She has fought against societal norms and discrimination to live her life authentically. Nishta struggles with the fear of disappointing her traditional Indian parents.

Adish Shah

Adish is a childhood friend of the four protagonists. He plays a supporting role in the story and serves as a bridge between the past and present. Adish is kind-hearted and nostalgic, often reflecting on the memories of their youth and the impact those friendships had on their lives.

Aditya Sardesai

Aditya is Kavita's husband and father of their daughter. He is dedicated to his family but struggles with his own insecurities and fears. Aditya represents the challenges faced by individuals in maintaining a balance between personal desires and societal expectations.

Nishta's Parents

Nishta's parents, whose names are not mentioned in the book, represent the conservative Indian society and its struggle to accept and understand homosexuality. They play a significant role in Nishta's journey as she grapples with the fear of disappointing them and the desire to live her truth.

Iqbal and Sarosh

Iqbal and Sarosh are secondary characters who are childhood friends of the protagonists. They provide insight into the cultural, religious, and political issues faced by the characters in the book. Their perspectives add depth to the narrative and highlight the complexities of navigating personal and societal expectations.

Character Traits

Character Background

Laleh Samadi, originally from Iran, left her home country during the revolution and settled in the United States. She immersed herself in academia, becoming a renowned professor. However, she still feels a deep connection to her homeland and yearns for the sense of belonging she left behind.

Kavita Sardesai, an Indian woman, married young and became a wife and mother. She dreams of pursuing her own passions but is trapped in a loveless marriage. Kavita's background reflects the societal expectations placed on women in conservative Indian families.

Armaiti "Armie" Vakil, a Parsi woman, lives in the United States with her husband and children. She struggles with a failing marriage and the pressure to conform to societal norms within her community. Armie's background represents the challenges faced by individuals caught between tradition and personal desires.

Nishta Rane, an openly gay Indian woman, has fought against societal norms and discrimination to live her life authentically. Growing up in a conservative Indian family, Nishta faced challenges in reconciling her sexual orientation with her cultural background.

Aditya Sardesai, Kavita's husband, tries to balance his responsibilities as a husband and father with his own insecurities and desires. Aditya's background reflects the struggles faced by men in traditional Indian families, torn between societal expectations and personal fulfillment.

Character Arcs

Laleh Samadi's character arc revolves around her journey to reconnect with her Iranian roots and find a sense of belonging. Throughout the story, Laleh confronts her feelings of displacement and longing for her homeland. She ultimately finds solace and acceptance, embracing both her Iranian heritage and her life in the United States.

Kavita Sardesai's character arc centers on her quest for personal fulfillment and liberation from her unhappy marriage. As the story progresses, Kavita gains the courage to confront her husband and make choices that prioritize her own happiness. Her character arc reflects the importance of self-discovery and the pursuit of personal dreams.

Armaiti "Armie" Vakil's character arc explores her journey to find her own identity and break free from societal expectations. Armie faces the challenges of a failing marriage and the pressure to conform to the norms of her community. Throughout the story, she learns to prioritize her own happiness and make choices that align with her true self.

Nishta Rane's character arc revolves around her acceptance of her own identity and the reconciliation of her sexual orientation with her cultural background. Nishta confronts the fear of disappointing her traditional Indian parents and embraces her true self. Her character arc highlights the importance of authenticity and self-acceptance.

Relationships

The friendships between Laleh, Kavita, Armie, and Nishta serve as the core relationships in the book. Their bond is built on mutual support, shared experiences, and a deep understanding of one another. The four friends reconnect after several decades apart, and their reunion becomes a catalyst for personal growth and self-reflection.

The relationship between Kavita and her husband, Aditya, is strained and reflects the challenges of a loveless marriage. As the story progresses, Kavita finds the strength to confront Aditya and make choices that prioritize her own happiness.

Nishta's relationship with her parents is complex and fraught with tension. She struggles to reconcile her sexual orientation with their traditional expectations. The book explores the impact of societal norms and the journey towards acceptance and understanding.

The supporting characters, such as Adish, Iqbal, and Sarosh, provide additional depth to the story, offering different perspectives and insights into the cultural, religious, and political aspects of the characters' lives.

In conclusion, "The World We Found" by Thrity Umrigar presents a compelling exploration of friendship, personal identity, and the pursuit of happiness. The characters' individual journeys, relationships, and character arcs provide a rich and thought-provoking narrative that resonates with readers.