Behind the Beautiful Forevers

by

Katherine Boo

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Behind the Beautiful Forevers makes teaching easy.

Manju Waghekar Character Analysis

Asha’s daughter, the seemingly perfect, “most-everything” girl in Annawadi. Manju is going to college to become a teacher and she cares deeply for the other children in Annawadi. In defiance of her mother’s corrupt dreams of becoming slumlord, Manju hopes to be virtuous and good. She spends most of her time studying, cooking and cleaning for her family, and tutoring the young girls of Annawadi who would otherwise receive no education. Abdul seems to have a crush on her, but the two never speak because they are from such different worlds. Manju has big dreams for herself, despite seeing the oppression and desperation that often follows women in the slum.

Manju Waghekar Quotes in Behind the Beautiful Forevers

The Behind the Beautiful Forevers quotes below are all either spoken by Manju Waghekar or refer to Manju Waghekar. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Society, Competition, and Social Division Theme Icon
).
Chapter 4 Quotes

As every slumdweller knew, there were three main ways out of poverty: finding an entrepreneurial niche, as the Husains had found in garbage; politics and corruption, in which Asha placed her hopes; and education.

Related Characters: Asha Waghekar, Manju Waghekar
Page Number: 62
Explanation and Analysis:

In calmer moments, Manju could argue that parents were terrified of losing control of their children in a city where dangers seemed to be multiplying-a city they didn't fully understand. And as much as Manju hated violence of any stripe, the odd thrashing, like the odd axe blow, could be effective in keeping a child close to home.

Related Characters: Manju Waghekar
Page Number: 64
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 12 Quotes

…she kept thinking she saw smoke coming out of Meena's mouth and nose-as if the girl had set herself on fire from the inside. No, that was impossible. Rat poison only. Her mind was looping. If she screamed for help, the whole slum would know that Meena had attempted suicide, which would ruin her reputation.

Related Characters: Manju Waghekar, Meena
Page Number: 187
Explanation and Analysis:
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Behind the Beautiful Forevers PDF

Manju Waghekar Quotes in Behind the Beautiful Forevers

The Behind the Beautiful Forevers quotes below are all either spoken by Manju Waghekar or refer to Manju Waghekar. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Society, Competition, and Social Division Theme Icon
).
Chapter 4 Quotes

As every slumdweller knew, there were three main ways out of poverty: finding an entrepreneurial niche, as the Husains had found in garbage; politics and corruption, in which Asha placed her hopes; and education.

Related Characters: Asha Waghekar, Manju Waghekar
Page Number: 62
Explanation and Analysis:

In calmer moments, Manju could argue that parents were terrified of losing control of their children in a city where dangers seemed to be multiplying-a city they didn't fully understand. And as much as Manju hated violence of any stripe, the odd thrashing, like the odd axe blow, could be effective in keeping a child close to home.

Related Characters: Manju Waghekar
Page Number: 64
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 12 Quotes

…she kept thinking she saw smoke coming out of Meena's mouth and nose-as if the girl had set herself on fire from the inside. No, that was impossible. Rat poison only. Her mind was looping. If she screamed for help, the whole slum would know that Meena had attempted suicide, which would ruin her reputation.

Related Characters: Manju Waghekar, Meena
Page Number: 187
Explanation and Analysis: