The Secret Keeper of Jaipur

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Part 2, Chapter 7

Part 3, Chapters 8-16

Part 4, Chapter 17-Part 5, Chapter 23

Part 5, Chapter 24-Epilogue

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Beta

Discussion Questions

Symbols & Motifs

The Rumor Mill

The characters in the novel live in mortal terror of what the neighbors will say. Thus, the rumor mill becomes a prominent motif related to the theme of The Fear of Disgrace. This was equally true of the first book in the trilogy, in which those who like to churn up scandal are called “gossip-eaters.” The same phrase turns up occasionally in the second book as well. While it might make sense that the rumor mill would be active among socially prominent families in Jaipur, it’s equally active in the small community of Shimla.

Nimmi must go through complex maneuvers to keep people from guessing anything about the gold smuggling operation. She can conduct her sheep-shearing activities only at night. When this work might be discovered, Jay intentionally feeds the rumor mill by suggesting to the police that he’s having an affair with Nimmi to give them another topic for speculation. At multiple points, other sayings allude to the rumor mill, such as “the mountains have ears” (182) and “word gets around” (298). Nimmi uses this process to her advantage when she suggests to the police that she heard rumors through the grapevine about illegal smuggling at Canara Private Enterprises. No one questions her source of information. It’s tacitly understood that facts are conveyed through innuendo and rumor. As Malik ruefully observes later about the theater collapse scandal, “Auntie-Boss always says gossip-eaters have sharp teeth. They will chew on this tragedy for years to come” (215).

Gold

A symbol of social prestige, gold often appears in the novel. It speaks to the theme of The Power of Secrets. The reason gold smuggling has become so lucrative in India is that jewelers must feed their customers’ insatiable greed for the substance despite government restrictions. In his shop, jeweler Moti-Lal caters to women who want to accumulate as much gold jewelry as they can. In a country that doesn’t accord property rights to females, the wedding jewelry that the groom’s family gives the bride is the only source of personal financial security she’s likely to have, and she’ll cling to it stubbornly. To supply this demand, Moti-Lal must buy his gold from smugglers.

These contraband profiteers operate below the radar, their activities shrouded in secrecy. It stands to reason that anyone who knows the secrets of their business wields enormous power. This is one instance in which Malik, Lakshmi, and Nimmi don’t try to protect a secret; they divulge the smuggling operation to the authorities. However, the paper trail leading to Ravi is difficult to follow, protecting his secret dealings from prosecution. Nevertheless, the Singhs know that Lakshmi and her group are aware of the true state of affairs and could hold the power of secrets over their heads. For this reason, the family wisely decides to relocate to the US.

The Healing Garden

Lakshmi’s herb garden is introduced at the end of the first book in the trilogy. In the second book, the herb garden symbolizes a decision point, enabling the characters to exercise a choice about the future course of their lives. As such, it relates to the theme of Personal Life Choices. When the garden first appears, it represents a decision point for Lakshmi. Parvati has just driven her out of Jaipur, and she comes to Shimla as an herbalist to supplement the Western healing modalities offered at the local hospital. Planting the garden and planting herself in Shimla changes the future course of her life.

In the second novel, Nimmi comes to the mountain town while still uncertain about her own future. Even though she’s deeply suspicious of Lakshmi, she accepts a job at the garden to help cultivate local plants, whose medicinal properties she knows. Initially, Nimmi isn’t sure whether she’ll remain in this role. However, as she grows more comfortable with the Kumars and with town living, the garden becomes her refuge, just as it was for Lakshmi.

Malik reaches a similar conclusion. He never wanted to leave Shimla but was pressured by Lakshmi to learn the construction trade in Jaipur. Having gained some understanding of how businesses are run, Malik happily returns to Shimla and proposes expanding the garden into a training center for regional herbalists. When offered the choice of a different destiny, all three characters chose to return to the place that offers them real healing.