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- Anita and Me: the characters
Anita and Me: the characters
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Meena is torn between two worlds: her Punjabi family and the white working-class village around her.
Meena and Anita
Meena: lively, imaginative and rebellious. She lies and steals, wants to be like Anita, and slowly works out her own identity.
Anita Rutter: confident, cruel and neglected at home. Her mother Deirdre leaves the family. Anita's toughness hides a difficult life.
Anita Rutter: confident, cruel and neglected at home. Her mother Deirdre leaves the family. Anita's toughness hides a difficult life.
Meena's family
Mama and Papa: loving, hard-working, educated parents who moved from India. They host lively gatherings with the 'aunties' and 'uncles' (family friends).
Nanima: Meena's grandmother, who gives her a sense of belonging.
Sunil: Meena's baby brother.
Nanima: Meena's grandmother, who gives her a sense of belonging.
Sunil: Meena's baby brother.
Villagers
Sam Lowbridge: a charming but angry young man who turns to racism.
Mrs Worrall: a kind, elderly neighbour.
Robert: a boy Meena meets in hospital.
Mrs Worrall: a kind, elderly neighbour.
Robert: a boy Meena meets in hospital.
Why is Meena drawn to Anita?
- Anita is bold, popular and older.
- Meena wants to belong in the village.
- Being Anita's friend seems to offer acceptance.
Answer: Because Anita seems to offer the acceptance and excitement Meena wants.
Meena: rebellious, searching for identity. Anita: bold, cruel, neglected. Mama and Papa: loving immigrants. Nanima: belonging. Sam: racism. Mrs Worrall: kindness. Robert: friendship and loss.
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