How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"Look," Hema hissed, embarrassed by his behavior, "the father is supposed to whisper the child's name into its ear. If you don't want to do it, I'll call someone else."
That word—"father"—changed everything. He felt a thrill. He quickly whispered "Marion" and then "Shiva" into each tiny ear, kissed each child, then kissed Hema on the cheek before he could pull away, saying "Bye, Mama" [...]. (2.16.30-31)
Just as Ghosh realizes that Hema has become a mother when she names the babies, he gets that he must be her partner if she's calling him their father. The way that a person reacts to being identified as a certain role is very telling. It's as though Ghosh were waiting to be called a father all of his life, and he rises to the challenge.
Quote #8
The twins weren't easy to tell apart but for the anklet which Hema had kept on Shiva as a talisman. (2.16.32)
The difference between Shiva and Marion is artificial, just like the surgeon's slice that separated them from one another just after they were born. Here, rather than having a birthmark or a tic that identifies them, Shiva is marked by Hema. She has him wear bells that let her know which one he is.
Quote #9
If they didn't show awareness of each other, Hema believed it was because they thought they were one. When they were bottle-fed, one in Rosina's arms, the other in Hema's or Ghosh's, it helped greatly for them to be within earshot, heads or limbs touching; if they took one twin to another room, they both became fussy. (2.16.34)
It takes a while for the babies to realize that they are two separate people. Psychologists say this is a normal part of development, but usually the baby believes it is merged with its mother. Shiva and Marion have lost their mother, so they become all things to one another.