Mr. Turvey (“Mr. Topsy”) Character Analysis in Anita and Me

Meena nicknames this neighbor “Mr. Topsy” because he insists on calling her “Topsy,” which he claims is easier to pronounce than her real name. Mr. Topsy—whose real name is Mr. Turvey—speaks Punjabi and impresses everyone by communicating with Nanima. Instead of lauding Britain’s colonial enterprise, he proves thoughtful and compassionate by admitting that Britain’s actions in India were criminal, but that Indians are wonderful people. He becomes an example of the way in which having direct contact with people’s history breeds tolerance and generosity.

Mr. Turvey (“Mr. Topsy”) Quotes in Anita and Me

The Anita and Me quotes below are all either spoken by Mr. Turvey (“Mr. Topsy”) or refer to Mr. Turvey (“Mr. Topsy”). 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:

Family Discipline and Guidance Theme Icon

).

Mr Topsy/Turvey watched her with devoted eyes. ‘I served in India. Ten years. Magical country. Magical people. The best.’

‘Shouldn’t have bloody been there anyway, should you?’ I muttered under my breath. ‘Who asked you to lock up my grandad and steal his chickens?’

I was by now walking fast, making Nanima puff and trot a little to keep up, but I could still hear him shouting behind us, ‘We should never have been there. Criminal it was! Ugly. You look after your nan! You hear me, Topsy!’

Related Characters: Meena Kumar (speaker), Mr. Turvey (“Mr. Topsy”) (speaker), Nanima

Related Symbols: The Big House

Page Number and Citation: 222

Explanation and Analysis:

Mr. Turvey (“Mr. Topsy”) Quotes in Anita and Me

The Anita and Me quotes below are all either spoken by Mr. Turvey (“Mr. Topsy”) or refer to Mr. Turvey (“Mr. Topsy”). 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:

).

Mr Topsy/Turvey watched her with devoted eyes. ‘I served in India. Ten years. Magical country. Magical people. The best.’

‘Shouldn’t have bloody been there anyway, should you?’ I muttered under my breath. ‘Who asked you to lock up my grandad and steal his chickens?’

I was by now walking fast, making Nanima puff and trot a little to keep up, but I could still hear him shouting behind us, ‘We should never have been there. Criminal it was! Ugly. You look after your nan! You hear me, Topsy!’

Related Characters: Meena Kumar (speaker), Mr. Turvey (“Mr. Topsy”) (speaker), Nanima

Related Symbols: The Big House

Page Number and Citation: 222

Explanation and Analysis:

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Mr. Turvey (“Mr. Topsy”) Character Analysis

Mr. Turvey (“Mr. Topsy”) Quotes in Anita and Me

Mr. Turvey (“Mr. Topsy”) Quotes in Anita and Me

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