In the novel “The Hungry Tide” by Amitav Ghosh, we are introduced to the two main characters of the novel Kanai and Piya through not only the writer’s point of view, but also through each other’s perspectives. We initially meet Kanai, who goes about describing Piya through his eyes. Then we meet Piya, who describes Kanai through her eyes. Even though both characters share the “main character” spot in this novel, neither one of them are similar to the other at all– minus the fact that the two of them could be seen as “outsiders” in their respective environment. Between their personalities, how they interact with others, and how they carry themselves, the contrast between the two protagonists gives the reader the ability to read this novel through, legitimately, two completely different points of views– set with their own problems, their own interests, side characters, etc.
One way we can surely compare Kanai and Piya is through the fact that they could be seen as “outsiders”, or at least distant from their culture. We learn almost immediately about Kanai, as the text actually does call him an outsider, stating that, “Kanai was the one other “outsider” on the platform and he quickly attracted his own share of attention… as in the width of his stance, there was a quiet certainty, an indication of a well-grounded belief in his ability to prevail in most circumstances…” (Ghosh, 8) From this, we can already somewhat guess his circumstances to be described like this, also based on earlier parts of the novel such as when the chapter began. Kanai seems to be quite conceited, holding himself high above everyone else. It’s because of this mindset and his upbringing that sets him far, far apart from anyone else in India– he’s so distant from the real-life culture of his home that it’s like he was raised somewhere completely different. However, for our other protagonist, Piya, this is actually the case. Piya was not originally from India, she was born there but moved when she was too little to begin learning the language. It’s mentioned previously earlier in her opening part of the novel that she didn’t enjoy Chai in Seattle, but she confirms her identity when she has a run-in with Kanai on the train and accidentally spills her tea on his papers. She states, “‘About my being American? You’re very observant.’” (Ghosh, 13) We learn this tidbit of information, and then receive more about how she only speaks English and that she isn’t very good at it, that she isn’t very good at learning languages, and that she doesn’t find it too important as long as it doesn’t affect her work, which it doesn’t. (Ghosh, 13) Though one was born in India and the other was not, they are still both quite distant from the culture, no matter what their situations were beforehand.
To contrast Kanai and Piya is as simple as contrasting apples and oranges– mainly because they are two completely different characters with completely different personalities, appearances, and attributes that individually defines them as characters, especially main characters. We immediately start the novel with Kanai lost in his own self-absorption, giving himself the right to “appraise women” as if they were objects, already making him unlikeable right off the bat. “Kanai liked to think that he had the true connoisseur’s ability to both praise and appraise women…” (Ghosh, 7) When you appraise something, you determine it’s value– and that’s what Kanai does when he sees women according to this line, treating them as replaceable items that could either be worth something or worth nothing. Just only from that, and from even the fact that that was how he though of himself, he is definitely narcissistic. This is further evident in the fact that when he was on the train, out of all the other seats he could’ve picked, he actually went over to someone and asked them to move out of their seat so he could have it. “The newspaper reader goggled in astonishment and for a moment it seemed he might even protest or resist. But on taking in Kanai’s clothes and all the other details of his appearance, he underwent a change of mind…He gave in gracefully and made way for Kanai to sit beside the window.” (Ghosh, 9) Kanai happened to be dressed in a more western style, and according to the novel, people viewed those wearing western styled clothing to have some sort of connections with the law or be people of important status, which was what the newspaper gentleman thought when he looked at Kanai. Kanai can be viewed as a self-absorbed narcissist who abuses his status and appearance to have his way. Whereas Piya, on the other hand, is more kept to herself in that she is aloof and hardworking, and that she also prefers to avoid conflict. Even when Kanai asks about how she thinks she’s going to be able to communicate with others and get around, she plays it off well and is honest with him, “‘I’ll do what I usually do,’ she said with a laugh. ‘I’ll try to wing it. Anyway, in my line of work there’s not much talk needed.’” (Ghosh, 13) In terms of conflict avoidance, when she begins the process of being approved for a survey (I think..?) for work, it’s pointed out that she much prefers to do her work alone, and most likely hates the escorts/guards that are to go with her during the surveys. “Her face fell in dismay for she knew from previous experience that official escorts were always a hindrance…she would have far preferred to travel on her own…She dropped the matter without further demur.” But because she wanted to be able to start her survey as quickly as possibly, and not wanting to cause unnecessary problems, she sucked in her gut and decided to not say anything about the guard, showing us that she would much rather avoid problems.
