Cry, the Peacock: Character Mind Map & Summary
The key characters of Anita Desai's Cry, the Peacock (1963), grouped into branches, with the key episodes, a quick summary and the exam facts that come up again and again in UGC NET.
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The Character Mind Map
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Maya
A sensitive, emotional young woman married to an older, rational lawyer. Haunted by an albino astrologer's prophecy that either she or her husband will die in the fourth year of their marriage, she slowly goes mad.
Fate: kills her husband and loses her mind👑 Marriage
Maya's homeGautamaMaya's husband
Role: A cold, philosophical lawyer who cannot understand her feelings.
Outcome: Pushed from the roof by MayaTotoMaya's pet dog
Role: Its death opens the novel and starts her breakdown.
🏠 Maya's Family
The pastMaya's FatherA rich lawyer in Lucknow
Role: Spoilt her and protected her from life.
ArjunaMaya's brother
Role: Rebelled against the father and went to America.
🤝 Gautama's Family
In-lawsGautama's Mother & NilaMother-in-law and sister-in-law
Role: Practical women who take Maya away at the end.
⚖️ Friends
Mirrors of MayaLeilaA friend
Role: Married to a man dying of tuberculosis; she accepts her fate.
PomA friend
Role: Unhappy in a joint family.
Memory Hook
One simple pattern to remember the whole work.
Key Episodes
The turning points examiners love to ask about.
Quick Summary
The story, stage by stage.
Stage 1Toto
- A short opening: the dog's death.
- Maya feels alone.
Stage 2Maya's Mind
- Long monologue of Maya's thoughts.
- Memories of her father and the astrologer.
Stage 3Breakdown
- Her fear grows with the summer heat.
- She kills Gautama.
Stage 4Epilogue
- Told by others: Maya is taken away.
- Her end is left in shadow.
Must-Know Exam Facts
Quick points for UGC NET, SET and PGT.
Debut
Anita Desai's first novel (1963).
Technique
Stream of consciousness and interior monologue.
Theme
Alienation, incompatibility in marriage, fear of death.
Symbol
The peacock's cry ("pia, pia") shows lovers' longing and death.
Psychological
Desai's interest in the inner life of women.
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