Pod represents the nationalist, progressive Indian man—one who rejects caste and class prejudices, though not without internal struggle. He is a foil to the British colonial men who exploit Indian women.
Pod meets Pom when she is working in a library. He is initially drawn to her intellect and beauty, unaware of her past. Over time, he learns her history and accepts her fully, though the marriage faces severe social pressure. He eventually participates in the Quit India Movement. cast of the sleeping dictionary
Hannah embodies the “Eurasian” dilemma in colonial India—neither fully British nor Indian. Her existence forces Pom to challenge both British moral hypocrisy and Indian social conservatism. 4. Captain James Thorne – Hannah’s Biological Father Role: Antagonist (by inaction) / Symbol of colonial predation. Background: A British army officer stationed in Calcutta. He has a brief, transactional relationship with Pom when she is a teenager in the brothel. He is initially drawn to her intellect and
Caroline believes Hannah is an orphan and wants to adopt her. She is sympathetic as a woman but represents the British assumption of racial and class superiority—she never considers that Pom, as the biological mother, has rights. Pom (later Sarah
Fleming hires Pom (as Pamela) as his secretary. He encourages her writing and offers her intellectual respect. However, when her past is revealed, he fails to support her publicly, choosing instead to protect his reputation.
Thorne represents the colonial system’s pattern of exploitation and abandonment. His reappearance is a legal and emotional crisis for Pom. 5. Mr. George Fleming – Employer and Mentor Role: Complex colonial figure. Background: A British publisher in Calcutta who runs a small press. He is cultured, relatively liberal, and appreciates Indian literature.
Introduction The Sleeping Dictionary (2013) is a historical novel by Sujata Massey, set primarily in British-ruled India (Bengal) from the 1930s to the 1940s. The story follows a young woman named Pom, who navigates poverty, colonialism, and personal reinvention. The title refers to a "sleeping dictionary" — a colloquial term for an Indian mistress who teaches an Englishman the local language and customs, often through an intimate relationship. The novel’s cast is richly drawn, representing various strata of Indian society and the British Raj. Below is a detailed analysis of the main characters. 1. Pom (later Sarah, then Pamela) – The Protagonist Role: Central narrator and survivor. Aliases: Born Kamala (tribal name), renamed Pom by a madam, later becomes Sarah (in a missionary school), and finally Pamela (in her adult life as a writer and activist).