It is very difficult to have an opinion on the character 'Baba' within the novel 'Clear Light Of Day'. This is because of his being so very different from the typical other characters encountered. His development is significantly impacted by his slow nature, being 'retarded' from birth. He very rarely speaks, he rarely shows any signs of understanding, he displays an unnatural love for material things that others do not find noteworthy, and he has always remained the same. The diction with which the author, Anita Desai introduces Baba into the story, hints that his character is one of significance.
Anita Desai choses to bring out the description of the circumstances surrounding his birth. In Tara's view, it was stated the mother perhaps did not even like the new baby. The mother was unhealthy and the pregnancy had only forced her to challenge the qualities which a mother should have initially. That is, being caring, attentive, and pleasant. Through Baba, it was most clearly revealed that their mother did not have these qualities, further giving insight into how this family was run. Baba created the avenue through which the parents were revealed as failures, from even before his birth. He creates a possible link, in that, because of his lack of nurturing and caring from before his birth, he became a reflection of that is all that he lacked as a developing, and all that he lackes as a developed person.
On another point, it is significant to note certain characteristics both physical and personal. He had white hair and he was childish. His childish characteristic can be very easily backed, like is connection with a gramophone that he found, he playing with marbles, his fears and his incapability to really rely and take care of himself. His having white hair creates an image or impression of a great or supreme individual similarly their often mention his beauty. His comparison to a child brings into perspective the speech recorded in the bible where Jesus said, referring to children that 'of such is the kingdom of God'. Baba represents purity in all his actions and thoughts, he represents a true good within a family of resentment, anger, and disputes. His is the central character of purity, the availability of it, but the difficulty in claiming and understanding it.
Lastly, it is also noted that Baba never changes. Not only this, but almost ironically, he continuously does things like playing records from long long ago, even though they are scratched and old, and even in his grown age, he does not speak. How it is ironic is that his purpose, in this way, serves to, birng up the past. He contributes to the house remaining exactly as it always was, the environment and the atmosphere of the house remains the same partially because of Baba, but he provides a replay into the past, the very past which holds a strain on the family, a strain which is reflected and most evident in Bim, the only person with whom he lives. On the other hand, the age of the CDs their being muffled and scratched and needed to be thrown away also forms a symbol of the resentments and instances from the past that need to be thrown away.
In conclusion, his character is never really given a voice so that he can never influence the sides to be taken amongst his siblings or amongst the audience who formulates their own opinion. Baba's rold may be minor, and very silent, however the subject of Baba leads to controversial discussion, about the behaviours of his siblings with regards to him. His role is also very significant in other ways, such as him being the symbol of purity, as well as a physical representation of what is lacking within the family. He is a symbol of past, and the present, representing no change. These are all themes upon which the plot of 'Clear Light of Day' is based. This makes Baba's role one which is noteworthy. To miss the significance of Baba is essentially to miss the significance of the novel.
