38 pages 1 hour read

Amitav Ghosh

The Shadow Lines

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1988

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Important Quotes

Quotation Mark Icon

“For her, time was like a toothbrush: it went mouldy if it wasn’t used.”


(Part 1, Page 4)

This is an early indication of how judgmental and absolutist Tha’mma is. There is nothing wrong with saying that time should be used well, but she also declares herself the arbiter of what time well spent looks like.

Quotation Mark Icon

“Likes and dislikes were unimportant compared to the business of fending for oneself in the world.”


(Part 1, Page 6)

In Indian society, one is born to a certain class. Likes and dislikes that are unrelated to one’s class are not worth bothering with. The quote also highlights how rigid the caste system is and how people have to fight just to survive in a system that defines their worth despite their potential.

Quotation Mark Icon

“You can’t build a strong country without building a strong body.”


(Part 1, Page 9)

Tha’mma says this when pushing the Narrator outside to play. She sees even the act of a child playing as an opportunity to work for the state. Tha’mma also believes that a country consists of people with allegiance to making said country a success. People must therefore be strong to uphold a strong country.

Related Titles

By Amitav Ghosh

Plot Summary

logo

Flood of Fire

Amitav Ghosh

Flood of Fire

Amitav Ghosh

Study Guide

logo

Gun Island

Amitav Ghosh

Gun Island

Amitav Ghosh

Study Guide

logo

In an Antique Land

Amitav Ghosh

In an Antique Land: History in the Guise of a Traveler's Tale

Amitav Ghosh

Plot Summary

logo

River of Smoke

Amitav Ghosh

River of Smoke

Amitav Ghosh

Study Guide

logo

Sea of Poppies

Amitav Ghosh

Sea of Poppies

Amitav Ghosh

Study Guide

logo

The Calcutta Chromosome

Amitav Ghosh

The Calcutta Chromosome

Amitav Ghosh

Study Guide

logo

The Glass Palace

Amitav Ghosh

The Glass Palace

Amitav Ghosh

Study Guide

logo

The Great Derangement

Amitav Ghosh

The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable

Amitav Ghosh

Study Guide

logo

The Hungry Tide

Amitav Ghosh

The Hungry Tide

Amitav Ghosh