From Shadows to Roots

From Shadows to Roots: Parental Relationships in Oleander Girl and Queen of Dreams deals with the protogonists Karobi and Rakhi who strive hard to unveil the mystery in their parental figures. Karobi goes through a change in her personality both mentally and physically and faces many challenges in her journey of life. True to her name, Karobi, which is named after an oleander, she is beautiful and also stubborn. Her journey to find her father in America, and her determination to face obstacles make her to reach the truth she is in search of. Her way of handling the crises of her life, her resistance to cross- cultural and other temptations and strong urge to follow her heart irrespective of the reaction of people around her define her individuality. Rakhi, in the novel Queen of Dreams strongly emphasizes the significance of familial ties and roots. As an immigrant’s daughter, facing many odds, the protagonist in the novel displays many efforts into unravelling the history behind her mother who is an Indian and a dream- teller. Her mental trauma fills her with the urge to know her true roots and family heritage of her Indian mother, thus setting her on a venture of discovery. The novel depicts her successful journey and the way she holds the relationships together to rediscover her roots.