Nectar in a Sieve

D AP World History Theme Analysis Our world is impacted by many things. Social structures, politics, economics, the environment, and our interactions affect how we live. They create the history of our world. In Nectar in a Sieve, many of these themes are represented. Gender roles and relations have always had an impact in societies. Men often believe they have the upper hand over women. It shows in the way females are treated. When Rumi was married to Nathan, she had to leave her family and go to his land.
He didn’t have to live where show comfortable or on a neutral territory. Young women are often uprooted from their family and rarely see them again. When Ira had a child out of wedlock, she was looked down upon by many. However when a man does the same, there is no judgment and criticism. Nate impregnated Kunthi twice yet Rumi took him back without a problem (p. 84-85) Agricultural and pastoral productions are the center of life for millions of humans. The same can be said for the characters in Nectar in a Sieve.
In the village, farming is how most survive. They live off the land. Without the land, there’s no income or food. They sell their crops, give their profit to the landlord, and save a portion of the crops for their families. Rumi and Nathan grow a variety of crops. When nature doesn’t work in their favor, their lives become difficult. Often the crops are ruined by droughts. During these times everyone struggles to survive. Rumi’s family became malnourished when the rains didn’t deliver. Her son, Kuti died from starvation. p. 99-100) The importance of the land is shown when they lose their land and homelessness is forced upon them. (p. 130-135) Land represented hope for Rumi. (p. 132) Without agriculture, the villagers would not survive. Trade and commerce is one of the main ways humans gain what they need. In Nectar in a Sieve, trade controls who has what and who survives. The tannery is the center of commerce. Villagers come to buy and bargain. As the years past, Rumi watches the tannery change, for worst in her opinion.

It becomes harder to sell, trade, and buy because the economics of village change as new people move in. The tannery is looked at as the place of money so two of her sons get jobs there. Rumi resents the tannery because it represents change that she feels is not needed. Although themes look complicated on paper, they fit perfectly into our world and the world in Nectar in a Sieve. Male and females have double standards. Agriculture is the basis of life and survival in the village. Trade and commerce help villagers make money and get necessities to survive. These themes translate into real life.