Baba's Significance in Clear Light of Day

In Clear Light of Day, all the characters seem to have their own character traits that make them different and significant in the book, whether there part is considered to be small or big. Amongst the Das family siblings, Baba Das is the youngest of the four children and the one who is not the smartest or most active person because of his disability. At first he is not able to do much of anything, but when Aunt Mira comes to take care of him, she teaches him how to do certain things for himself. For example, feed himself pieces of bread and play marbles. This is made eveident on pp.106-07 in the book.

Throughout the book, one notcies that Baba is seemingly an unchanging person in the novel. This none changing aspect of Baba's character is rather significant since Baba himself may be seen as a symbol of the unchaging nature of Old Delhi and the fact that everything in the house seemed to stay the same.

In addition, Baba's use of his gramophone from the time him and Bim took it out of the Hyder Ali's abadoned house, to present,evidently shows that Baba did not change at all, since he continued to listen to his gramophone, playing the same records all the time. The use of the gramophone was also a way of making his presence known within the house, since he did speak much at all. It was a way for the family and others to know that Baba was at home and awake.

Furthermore, along with being a symbol of the unchanging nature of Old Delhi and the hoouse they lived in, Baba, in his earlier years, seemed to be a person unt Mira thought appreciated her and thus made her feel wanted. This is because Baba really needed someone to take care of him and would encourage him and teach him to do certain activities. Aunt Mira was this person, and Baba seemed to appreciate all the things she did for him and taught him how to do. Aunt Mira was the only one who seemed to push Baba to show some of his potential that she was sure he had, and as a result Baba was grateful for everything she did for him and made her feel appreciated.

In conclusion, it may be said that Baba is significant in Clear Light of Day since he may be seen as a symbol of no change as well as making Aunt Mira feel appreciated and wanted.