Tilo, the protagonist of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s “The Mistress of Spices,” is a complex character embodying archetypes of both mentor and protege: To her customers at the spice store in Oakland, she appears as a wise, elderly woman endowed with the ancient art of understanding and using spices for healing and guiding others. From her perspective, however, she is a novice who is learning the rules and responsibilities of her role as she goes along, always looking to her mentor, the Old One, for guidance. Tilo is a bridge between the mystical world of spices and the real world of her customers, who come from diverse backgrounds and carry their unique burdens and stories.

Originally a young girl from India, Tilo undergoes a transformative journey, taking on the physical form of an old woman during her training on a mystical island. Her character is marked by wisdom, empathy, and a strong sense of duty. She is bound by stringent rules set by the First Mother: never to use the spices for personal gain, never to leave the store, and never to touch another’s skin. These rules test Tilo’s resolve and commitment, especially as she encounters various characters who evoke her desire for personal connections and a life beyond the confines of her duties.