Insecurity

I found it interesting, and almost irritating that the majority of "This Blessed House" was seen from Sanjeev's perspective. Although he was not the narrator, the author seems to focus more on his inner thoughts and feelings than on Twinkle's. This focus on Sanjeev takes the spotlight from Twinkle and her true character. I believe the author did this to show Sanjeev's insecurity and place in Twinkle's shadow.

From the right get-go of the story we learn that Sanjeev studied engineering at MIT. It isn't until 8 pages later that we learn that Twinkle is working on her master's degree from Stanford. Up until then, I pictured Twinkle as a very flighty "California-girl" with a carefree attitude. The picture the author paints is one of a very typical girl - she wears "suede three-inch leopard-print pumps" (141), and enjoys talking on the phone to girlfriends, taking bubble baths, and just the simplest pleasures in life. Even the name "Twinkle" made me think of a girlish character that was difficult to take seriously.

Sanjeev, however, is quite different. While we know he is highly educated and intelligent, it is said that Twinkle was writing her master's thesis on "an Irish poet whom Sanjeev had never heard of" (145). Maybe the reason he tried to be so controlling over Twinkle is possibly because he was threatened by her intelligence, the one thing he had going for him. Also, throughout the story as Twinkle is collecting the various Christian relics he continues to threaten to get rid of all of them, but he never takes any action.

Sanjeev's insecurity is what made this story entertaining for me.