Unaccustomed Earth Character Analysis

Ruma

Ruma, a Bengali American woman, is one of the protagonists in “Unaccustomed Earth.” A stay-at-home mother who recently moved from Brooklyn to Seattle with her husband, Adam, and their young son, Akash, Ruma… read analysis of Ruma

Ruma’s Father

Recently retired, Ruma’s father is an intelligent, practical man who has begun to embrace his newfound independence following his wife, Ruma’s mother’s, passing in “Unaccustomed Earth.” Rather than adhering strictly to Bengali customs… read analysis of Ruma’s Father

Ruma’s Mother

Though she has already passed away before the story begins, Ruma’s mother is a strong, compassionate presence in both Ruma’s memory and in “Unaccustomed Earth.” She represents Ruma and Ruma’s father’s link to… read analysis of Ruma’s Mother

Akash

Ruma and Adam’s young son, Akash, is curious, lively, and sweet-natured, often more comfortable speaking English than Bengali. Like many young children, he absorbs the world around him with fascination, taking particular interest in… read analysis of Akash

Mrs. Meenakshi Bagchi

In “Unaccustomed Earth,” Mrs. Bagchi is the Bengali woman who Ruma’s father meets on his European travels. A widow who opposes the idea of remarrying, she makes her intentions clear from the beginning of… read analysis of Mrs. Meenakshi Bagchi

Adam

Ruma’s husband and Akash’s father, Adam, is a hardworking hedge fund operator who spends much of his time traveling for work. A supportive partner, he respects Ruma’s Bengali background but is somewhat disconnected… read analysis of Adam

Usha

Usha narrates “Hell-Heaven.” She’s a first-generation Bengali American girl raised in New England, primarily influenced by her strict, traditional mother, Aparna. Drawn to western values and culture, Usha often finds herself caught between her… read analysis of Usha

Aparna

In “Hell-Heaven,” Aparna, Usha’s mother, is a Bengali immigrant who struggles to adapt to life in the United States. Married to Usha’s father through an arranged union, she finds it challenging to accept the… read analysis of Aparna

Pranab Kaku/Pranab Chakraborty

Pranab Chakraborty is a Bengali man who becomes close friends with Usha’s family after moving to the United States to study at MIT in “Hell-Heaven.” Usha refers to him affectionately as Pranab Kaku, “Uncle… read analysis of Pranab Kaku/Pranab Chakraborty

Deborah

Deborah is Pranab’s American wife in “Hell-Heaven.” She enters the picture with openness and warmth, embracing both his Bengali culture and Usha’s family, who became Pranab’s surrogate family. Though her attempts to bond… read analysis of Deborah

Usha’s Father

In “Hell-Heaven,” Usha’s father is a reserved, dutiful man who is devoted to his family but emotionally distant from them. More pragmatic than Aparna, he adapts to American life without the same cultural… read analysis of Usha’s Father

Amit Sarkar

Amit Sarkar is the protagonist of “A Choice of Accommodations.” He’s married to Megan, and together, they attend the New England wedding of his former high school and college crush, Pam Borden. Amit… read analysis of Amit Sarkar

Megan Sarkar

Amit’s American wife in “A Choice of Accommodations,” Megan is practical, caring, and intelligent. She tries to support Amit as he revisits his memories and insecurities at Langford but also holds her ground, frustrated… read analysis of Megan Sarkar

Pam Borden

In “A Choice of Accommodations,” Pam Borden is Amit’s former crush and the bride of the wedding he and Megan attend, where she marries Ryan. She’s also the daughter of Headmaster Borden… read analysis of Pam Borden

Ted Schultz

Ted Schultz is one of Amit’s former schoolmates in “A Choice of Accommodations.” At Pam’s wedding, Amit accidentally introduces him to Megan as “Tim” instead of Ted, which embarrasses Amit for the remainder… read analysis of Ted Schultz

Headmaster Borden

In “A Choice of Accommodations,” Headmaster Borden is Pam’s father and the head of Langford Academy during Amit’s time there. A respected figure, Headmaster Borden represents the discipline and prestige of Amit’s school… read analysis of Headmaster Borden

Felicia and Jared

Felicia and Jared sit by Amit and Megan at Pam’s wedding, engaging them both in separate conversations. Amit speaks to Felicia while Megan speaks to Jared, and Amit begins to feel the effects of… read analysis of Felicia and Jared

Mr. Nagle

Mr. Nagle is Amit’s former English teacher at Langford Academy. At Pam’s wedding, he’s surprised that Amit didn’t become a journalist, as he had always been a talented writer. Mr. Nagle only appears… read analysis of Mr. Nagle

Sudha

Sudha is the protagonist of “Only Goodness.” Though she’s responsible and high-achieving, Sudha’s parents place high expectations on her that often make her feel burdened. She was born in London, but she moved with her… read analysis of Sudha

Rahul

Rahul is Sudha’s younger brother in “Only Goodness,” whose charm and intelligence are often overshadowed by his struggles with alcohol addiction. Though he was once a promising student and Sudha’s parents’ ideal second-generation… read analysis of Rahul

Sudha’s Parents

In “Only Goodness,” Sudha and Rahul’s parents are Bengali immigrants with high expectations for their children, emphasizing the importance of education, success, and the preservation of Bengali customs. They are somewhat distant and emotionally… read analysis of Sudha’s Parents

Roger Featherstone

In “Only Goodness,” Roger Featherstone is Sudha’s English husband, whom she meets in a London museum while examining the painting The Arnolfini Marriage. He studied art history and works as a magazine editor… read analysis of Roger Featherstone

Neel

Neel is Sudha and Roger’s infant son. Born in London, he’s doted on by both his parents and his grandparents, Sudha’s parents, and he’s generally a happy baby. When Rahul visits Sudha in… read analysis of Neel

Elena

Elena is Rahul’s girlfriend, whom he initially introduces to his and Sudha’s parents as his fiancée before Sudha’s wedding reception. Nearly a decade older than Rahul, Elena is an aspiring actress with a… read analysis of Elena

Paul

Paul is the primary protagonist of “Nobody’s Business,” an English PhD student who rents a house with Sang and Heather. Reserved and observant, Paul harbors a quiet affection for Sang, watching her life and… read analysis of Paul

Sang/Sangeeta Biswas

In “Nobody’s Business,” Sang (short for Sangeeta) is a Bengali American bookstore clerk renting a room in the house she shares with Paul and Heather. Beautiful, smart, and charming, Sang receives constant phone calls… read analysis of Sang/Sangeeta Biswas

Farouk/Freddy

Farouk is Sang’s boyfriend of three years in “Nobody’s Business.” He’s an Egyptian professor of Middle Eastern history at Harvard. He displays controlling tendencies, keeping his distance from Sang’s close friends and avoiding permanent… read analysis of Farouk/Freddy

Deirdre Frain

Deirdre is one of the women Farouk cheats on Sang with in “Nobody’s Business,” and she ultimately reveals their affair in a drunken phone call to Paul. Her actions destabilize Sang’s life, but her… read analysis of Deirdre Frain

Hema

Hema is one of the two protagonists, along with Kaushik, around whom the final three stories in Unaccustomed Earth are centered. Appearing most prominently in “Once in a Lifetime” and “Going Ashore,” Hema’s story… read analysis of Hema

Kaushik

Kaushik, along with Hema, serves as a protagonist in the final three stories of Unaccustomed Earth: “Once in a Lifetime,” “Year’s End,” and “Going Ashore.” He is a complex, introspective figure, shaped profoundly… read analysis of Kaushik

Dr. Choudhuri/Kaushik’s Father

Dr. Choudhuri is Kaushik’s father, a reserved and practical man who relocated his family to America from India in pursuit of a better life. His pragmatic approach reflects his preference for control and structure… read analysis of Dr. Choudhuri/Kaushik’s Father

Parul/Kaushik’s Mother

Parul is Kaushik’s mother and Dr. Choudhuri’s wife, whose memory casts a long shadow over Kaushik’s life after her early death of breast cancer. A compassionate and energetic woman, she held onto the… read analysis of Parul/Kaushik’s Mother

Hema’s Parents

Hema’s parents embody traditional Bengali values, placing a strong emphasis on family, education, and cultural identity. Though well-intentioned, their expectations for Hema create an environment that often feels restrictive, particularly as Hema strives for… read analysis of Hema’s Parents

Chitra

Chitra is Kaushik’s stepmother, the woman Dr. Choudhuri marries after Parul’s death. She and her two daughters, Rupa and Piu, relocate from India to live in Kaushik’s old home, the place where… read analysis of Chitra

Rupa and Piu

Rupa and Piu are Chitra’s daughters and Kaushik’s stepsisters, introduced in “Year’s End.” Polite and attentive young girls, they try to be friendly and welcoming toward Kaushik. Though the three initially bond, Kaushik… read analysis of Rupa and Piu

Navin

Introduced in “Going Ashore,” Navin is Hema’s fiancé, an Indian physics professor at MIT. To Hema and her family, he represents stability, shared cultural values, and family—qualities that Hema believes will help her build… read analysis of Navin

Edo and Paola

In “Going Ashore,” the married Edo and Paola are friends of Giovanna and prominent figures in the intellectual and artistic circles of Rome. Edo’s Italian heritage and cultural insights intrigue Hema, and Paola, a… read analysis of Edo and Paola

Giovanna

Giovanna is Hema’s colleague at Wellesley, whose empty apartment in Rome Hema stays in during her visit in “Going Ashore.” Though she doesn’t physically appear in the story, Giovanna represents the European, independent lifestyle… read analysis of Giovanna

Henrik

Henrik is a Swedish man whom Kaushik meets in a resort near Thailand before his move to Hong Kong in “Going Ashore.” A sympathetic figure, Henrik senses Kaushik’s loneliness and strikes up a conversation with… read analysis of Henrik

Minor Characters

Maya and Monika

Maya and Monika are Amit and Megan’s daughters. Maya is the elder sibling, and Monika is younger. Amit and Megan leave the girls with Megan’s parents while they attend Pam’s wedding, missing them dearly.

Ryan

Ryan is Pam’s groom. His and Pam’s wedding provides both the setting and inciting incident for the story “A Choice of Accommodations.”

Heather

Heather is Paul and Sang’s third roommate in “Nobody’s Business,” and she is mostly a peripheral character in the story. She remains largely removed from the drama surrounding Paul, Sang, and Farouk, especially when she begins dating her boyfriend, Kevin.

Julian

Julian is the married man with whom Hema has a 10-year-long affair. Though he makes empty promises that he will leave his wife for her, he never does, and Hema eventually ends their relationship. Shortly thereafter, she meets the more conservative Navin, and they become engaged.

Unaccustomed Earth Characters