Nectar In A Sieve

For centuries, Europeans have colonized in developing countries and impacted the lives of civilians within these areas. In the book, Nectar in a Sieve by Kamala Markandaya, a man named Kenny is a British doctor who attempts to help India adapt to Western medicine. He was a man of great generosity since he cared for the villagers. But, despite all of his sacrifices, some people viewed him as an arrogant and racially prejudice colonizer. Even though some villagers viewed Kenny as a white supremacist, he was actually a charitable character because he helped Rukmani become fertile, dedicated his time and money towards building a hospital, and left his wife and children for the sake of the village. Throughout the story, Kenny demonstrates charity …show more content…
For example, he looked after Rukmani’s mother when she was terminally ill. Eventually, he felt that it had become necessary for him to treat everyone in the village. The village never had sufficient healthcare services much less a hospital; Kenny designed and implemented a hospital, which included state of the art medical treatments. He believed that his hospital would be the key to healthy living in the peregrinated village. “ I am indebted to him as well. I need an assistant, he promises to be a good one and will I hope be the first of many. I could not carry on alone. The town has grown and is still growing, as you know” (Ch.21 pg.110) The hospital he founded became a necessity for everyone, especially the elderly and the children. The hospital was a symbol of hope for the unemployed and showed a sign of growth for the village. If he had not set the hospital up, many lives would have perished from disease and pestilence. Kenny was in fact a very gracious individual because of his well-needed show of …show more content…
He was devoted to caring for his family but decided to help people that needed more assistance then his family. “ I have usual encumbrances that men have, wife, children, home that would have put chains about me but I resisted, and so I am alone. As for coming and going, I do as I please, for am I not my own matter? I work among you have my spirit wills it… I go when I am tired your follies and stupidities, your eternal, shenku, poverty.” (Ch.12 pg.70) His perseverance altered the course of his life since he became a doctor instead of a family man. In fact, he believes that his life’s true calling is to “save” the people in the Indian village. So in all reality, Kenny was a man of admirable character. He left his own family and children to fulfill his role as the doctor of the village. He felt various intentions rising from his own sedentary experiences that allowed him to make this prolonged decision. Arising from amidst his own animosity, he felt as though his choice was correct since he was able to help the village become biologically