Prologue
Summary
The chapter begins with Kiran experimenting with his mother’s makeup in the master bathroom. He puts on magenta lipstick, kajol, a special Hindi eyeliner, and paints his face blue, admiring the transformation he sees in the mirror. As he smears blue eyeliner on his face, his mother discovers him. In response to his mother’s surprise, Kiran explains that he is Krishna.
Analysis
The prologue brings up the theme of gender identity. When Kiran experiments with makeup he sees himself transformed into a beautiful girl, reflecting his inner sexual conflict. Kiran uses the idea of becoming Krishna as a means to cope with his identity crisis.
Symbols
Color – blue symbolizes the god Krishna and Kiran’s struggle to understand his own identity. The colors of the makeup, namely pink and magenta, reflect Kiran’s interest in the female gender.
Chapter 1: Pageantry
Summary
At Martin van Buren elementary school, there is a fall talent show that is important to Kiran. After the teacher explains the talent show, two “elementary school wenches”, Sarah and Melissa, invite him, with bad intentions, to swing with them. While trying to avoid their advances, Kiran injures himself and becomes a target for ridicule.
Analysis
This chapter shows Kiran’s struggles to fit in at school as a sexually confused sixth grader. Kiran’s desire to fit in with Sarah and Melissa shows his loneliness.
Symbols
Swing represents innocence
Ken represents Kiran´s sexual confusion
Barbie represents Kiran´s fascination with girly things
Chapter 2: My Band of One
Summary
Summary
This chapter introduces the reader to Kiran´s life as an Indian. It begins with him in a temple, thinking about how boring it is to listen to Sanskrit. At the end of the religious service, Kiran´s father lifts him onto his shoulders so that Kiran can ring the bell. Following the service, Kiran goes to Sunday school and introduces the reader to all of his Indian classmates.
Analysis
This chapter introduces us to Kiran´s other life, showing his struggle to find his identity as an Indian American. The moment with his father shows how Kiran views his father as both a fearful and loving figure.
Chapter 3: The Intrigue of a Tit
Summary:
In this chapter Kiran continues to pursue his goal of becoming Krishna. In addition to being one of the embodiments of Vishnu, Krishna is a very sexual god and is perceived as being a great lover. When Kiran and his friend Cody discover dirty magazines, he sees it as the perfect way to begin his education of human sexuality. He does this by stealing a copy of Penthouse magazine from a bookstore, and he just barely gets away, and luckily his parents never find out.
Analysis:
At this point in the novel, Kiran is starting to discover his sexuality. Kiran finds that he is also attracted to the man’s body, and although the he does not yet realize the implications of this, the reader can see that Kiran is starting to show a tendency to be attracted to men.
Chapter 4: Radhas to My Left, Ragamuffins to My Right
Summary:
Kiran introduces his doll and infatuation Strawberry Shortcake, whom he calls SS. He sees her as the perfect woman, based on the description that his parents have given him. Kiran also reflects on his parents’ marriage and how not all relationships are perfect. He also starts to talk about weaknesses and his migraines.
Analysis:
SS embodies his mother’s description of the perfect woman, except for the fact that she is not Indian. He escapes into a fantasy world when he is with SS, but she seems to be more of a confidante and a friend than a lover. She offers him comfort when his parents are fighting and when he has his migraines. He compares her to Radha, who is Krishna’s lover, but not necessarily in a sexual way.
Chapter 5: A Dairy Downfall
Summary:
Kiran continues to explain his weakness of migraines, and compares it to Krishna’s of butter. He decides that in order to continue his quest to becoming Krishna, he must eat butter too, so he sneaks a tub of Country Crock out of the grocery store. At the end of the chapter, Kiran’s father confronts him, asking where his hiding place is, and Kiran confesses that he has been eating butter. However, his father was referencing where he was hiding his dolls because he found Blueberry Muffin on the lawn. He throws both of them out, telling Kiran there will be time for girls later.
Analysis:
This chapter shows Kiran’s isolation, because at the end of the chapter, Kiran expresses his worry that SS will react to him the same way his father does. Inanimate objects are starting to become even more alive and real to him than before.
Chapter 6: You’ll Go Down in Hi-sto-ry (Like Lincoln!)
Summary:
Chapter six focuses on the talent show. Kiran thinks back to his fifth grade rendition of “Kiss the Girl” from Little Mermaid, admitting that his classmates made fun of him for the performance. Kiran remembers participating in History Day that same year, which included dressing as the historical figure and giving a presentation. Kiran decides to be Abraham Lincoln, but he chooses to dress up in a yellow shirt and brown pants. At the end of his presentation, he tells a joke, ending with the line “Why couldn’t he catch the bus like everyone else?” A local news broadcast comes to televise History Day. The reporter interviews Kiran. That night, Kiran watches the television program and finds out that he is portrayed as being the confused student, and the only line he says comes from the last line of his joke. Kiran is humiliated and is determined to redeem himself with his new performance in the talent show this year.
Analysis
For Kiran, the talent show is important because it is an opportunity to prove to his classmates that he is not different from them. Up to this point, the reader sees Kiran as someone who is not accepted by his classmates and is constantly picked on for his quirkiness. Kiran, however, wants to be accepted by his school. His attempts to fit in, which the Little Mermaid performance and Abraham Lincoln presentation had hoped to accomplish, however, both attempts end in further detachment from his classmates. Every year, the talent show serves as another opportunity for Kiran to finally show his classmates his talent and to fit in. In the last line of the chapter, Kiran exclaims, “Maybe, just maybe, if I perform my routine flawlessly… I’ll finally be able to catch that bus of acceptance. Just like everyone else.”Kiran indentifies himself as being separate from the rest of the school and reveals this vision of being accepted.
Chapter 7: Hold me Closer, Tiny Danseur
Summary
In this chapter Kiran explains to the reader how ballet and dance were introduced into his life. He begins by speaking of his mother’s experience with Indian classical dance (khattak) and her great desire for him to learn a bit from her and a professional dancer named Hema. He tells us that he has always been a talented dancer, and as a young child he would perform and mimic different actress with his mother’s encouragement. He follows by describing his first experience in ballet class and the awkward process of buying slippers as a boy. Overall, this chapter describes the difficulties Kiran encountered as a boy expressing his passion for ballet.
Analysis
Chapter 7 shows the significance ballet has in Kiran’s life. As a boy, he is looked down upon and questioned for wanting to participate in a class with a majority of girls. He is made fun of by his female classmates and questioned by his teachers. Even societal discrimination is depicted when his urge to buy pink slippers is killed by the negative attitude of the vendor. Ironically, this activity that causes him to be in so many uncomfortable and humiliating situations, is also seen as a time of acceptance. He loves ballet because it reminds him that despite all the hostility and discrimination, there is still some beauty in the world. Dance can be used as a symbol for his sexuality. Although at times it is difficult to be different, once he gives in to his feminine side, he is at peace.
Chapter 9: The Early Bird Catches the Squirm
In this chapter, Kiran explains the time that he spends Mrs. Goldberg during lunch at school. After showing her his drawings of Krishna, she thinks they should speak to the art teacher, Mrs. Buchanan and put the drawings up in the school. However, Mrs. Buchanan disagrees and refused to put up religious drawings. Meanwhile we realize that Kiran has an unpleasant history with this teacher, as she previously believed that he had plagiarized a piece of artwork.
Chapter 10: Sing Singh
Kiran and his family attend a party at Neha Singh’s house with rest of the Indian community. Kiran is caught putting on Neha’s make-up by Neha and Ashok, while they are in her parent’s bedroom. However Kiran also notices that Neha and Ashok are “fooling around,” and the three of them promise not to say anything.
Chapter 11: Chai for Two (and Two for Chai)
Here we learn about the tension between Kiran’s parents. When he wakes from his name he find his mother distressed which concludes with the two bonding discussing their father and husband, respectively.
Creepover
Summary:
After being ignored by Cody and his new friend Donny, Kiran is invited to a sleepover at Cody’s house with the two of them. He tells them about his adventure in the woods, and they decide that they want to see it for themselves. They sneak out of the house, and once they can’t find what they want to see in the park, Cody and Donny decide to leave. However, Kiran has a different idea and decides that he needs to go back for his recorder, which he had lost in his first adventure in the park. He stumbles upon another group of kids, which soon fades into a migraine, as Rodney, the park ranger, comes into view.
Analysis:
In this chapter, Kiran is starting show more confidence and is becoming more adventurous. He talks about the differences between his Indian world and his American world, and how no one at school can understand the dual life that he leads. His love for his Indian culture can be seen through the way that he talks about the talent show and how he wishes that everyone could see him like that. Kiran also shows how much he seeks the approval of others – he chooses to dress conservatively in his Halloween costume and he tells Cody and Donny about what he saw in the park to make them like him more. He enjoys being the leader in the park and being in charge, but at the same time he worries that he will make a mistake and lead them astray.
Another Op'nin', Another Showdown
Summary
The final chapter of the book brings about the anticipated talent show. Kiran tells his parents that he has an impromptu ballet rehearsal and heads to the auditorium. While watching the other acts, Kiran feels nervous but still confident in the brilliance of his spiritual act. Kiran escapes to the bathroom before he performs to put on makeup, and when he looks in the mirror, he truly sees himself for who he is. The act goes even better than Kiran could have imagined - he dances and sings in a sort of spiritual and physical ecstasy, despite the pain of his migraine. At the end, Kiran passes out from exhaustion and pain and is rushed to hospital. Before he blacks out, the audience begins to clap, and Kiran knows that his parents are the ones who initiated the applause. When Kiran comes to in the hospital, he is informed that the blue tint of his skin has been caused by an overdose of silver supplements. On the ride home from the hospital, Kiran feels a sense of tenderness and loyalty from his parents, and knows that despite his difference, they are all bound together.
Analysis
This chapter marks a turning point in Kiran's life. Whereas before he questioned his identity angrily, wondering why he couldn't have been born as a normal kid, he embraces his difference. Kiran observes that his creativity and emotional capacity allow him to see the world in a more beautiful way. The performance symbolizes a type of catharsis for Kiran; his dancing and singing let him feel free and confident, and it's as if he purges all of his insecurity and doubt through his frenzied dance. Kiran's new self-acceptance is cemented when he learns that his blue skin was caused by silver supplements. Instead of being crushed, Kiran recognizes that his blue skin was truly a product of his own creativity. The end of the chapter shows the family's indestructible bond. Although Kiran's parents still can't completely understand Kiran, their very presence at the show and the tenderness felt in the car ride show their desire to connect with their son. The ending is full of hope and promise for Kiran and his family.
Epilogue: Cymbalism
Summary
Kiran and his family are returning to the temple for the first time in a month after the incident with Ashok and Neha. In this chapter, Kiran gives his opinion about the state of his varying relationships. He has a loving relationship with his father but not without its "rough edges". Mrs. Goldberg from school has an unspoken pride for Kiran's performance at the play while the other students make fun of him or stare with fascination. Sarah, Melissa, Cody, and Donny have all drifted from his life, but Kiran knows that he still should be able to live happily with his uniqueness. As Kiran accounts for the relationships in his life, he is touched by his pundit's gesture to allow Kiran to play the cymbals again after all of the drama that has occurred within their religious community and in his life.
Analysis
Even though the setting of the temple is the same, Kiran has changed dramatically from when we first saw him in the beginning of the novel and now in the epilogue. The title of the chapter, Cymbalism, also emphasizes how Kiran has changed using visual imagery from the first time he played the cymbals and this time at the end of the novel. He has learned to be happy with who he is and use his "unique treasures" to live life grandiosely. From his school life, his family life, and his self-image, Kiran has learned to be confident in himself and his present life.
