2 Quotes on Philosophy COA Novel - Climbing the Stairs by: Padma Ventraman

1) "A nation dedicated to the idea of freedom,the i ideal for which we are fighting, all the way across half the Asian Continents" -Page 242-243 

This is one quote of philosophy because Vidya ( Main Character) is a strong young teenage girl. She is A Indian Girl who fights for her country and dealing with her once healthy father who is now  paralyzed. This quote was from a letter Vidya wrote to Rifka ( her Best friend) This quote shows me how much she cares for"  her country and wants freedom from the British occupied India. 

2) "Women are banished to an outhouse during their period. The extended family lives together with the women sleeping on the bottom floor and the men sleeping upstairs." 

Vidya gets new friends and she matures. Vidya meets Raman and tells him about him about how she's hit puberty. She tells Raman how Indian people are sexist people. When women have their periods... they are considered unsanitary and how its not fair. Like I've mentioned before how shes really independent and thinks beyond her opinions. Vidya is not scred to share her opinions with anyone.

Climbing the Stairs by: Padma Venkatraman ( Coming of Age)

    

          Vidya is the 15 year old teenager who lives in British occupied India during World War 2. Vidya dream is to go to college... not get married. Vidya had many struggles in her life, but still tries hard to succeed and go to college. Things are already bad because British people are taking over India and is proud of her dad because she thinks he is a hero because he is helping Indians fight for their freedom. 

Vidya's parents want her to get married. Back then, In South Asian countries your parents expected you to get married at a  young age. Vidya told her parents that she wanted to finish college and then she'll get married.                

        Vidya's father was a very close person to her. One day, A tragedy occurs in her life. Vidya and her father a re driving home and they run into a protest. Vidya is thrilled to hear that her parent gave her permission to go to college. Vidya runs into the crowd of protesters after her father warned her. Things went crazy and A British officer hits Vidya's dad in the head so many times that he damaged Vidya's dad head. 

A young Muslim guy helps Vidya's  father, but the doctor states that his brain is dead and so is his body ( meaning he is paralyzed) Vidya's father does not remember anyone at all. Vidya's dad canot make money so Vidya's family and her has to move her grandfathers house and leave school and her best friend (Rifka) behind and start a  new life. 

  In Vidya relatives household they expect marriage not education.Vidya feels as if her dream is forbidded in this household. Vidya has a cousin named Malati and is very selfish  most times. 

Vidya's father doesn't even remember  anyone and cant talk and Vidya's mother feels like a widow. Vidya hasd a new cruel teacher named Mrs.Rao who beats her with lathis ( sticks ). 

Vidya lies and tells Mrs.Roa  that British officers killed her father, but MAlati makes a whole entire announcement saying how Vidya is a liar and Mrs.Roa beats her. 

Malati teases her about how stupid Vidya's dad is because his brain doesn't function and Vidya has to hold in all then torture and pain just for her drean to come true.

(This is all I've read so far)