"The book begins and ends with the visits to give the impression of a tunnel into their ancestors and family history. I believe in going backwards into the past - I felt I was digging a tunnel back to the past"

Anita Desai's quote recommends an extensive expedition of individual and cumulative history. The metaphor of a "tunnel" is especially evocative, symbolizing a journey or passage through time. This images implies a deep and methodical excavation of the past, akin to archaeological work that discovers layers of history and memory. Desai's option of words, such as "tunnel" and "digging", stimulate a tactile and purposeful procedure, emphasizing the effort needed to get in touch with one's heritage and familial tradition.

The notion of the book beginning and ending with "gos to" frames the story within a cyclical structure. It suggests that understanding and connecting with one's roots are continuous procedures. These sees can be actual, revisiting physical locations considerable to family history, or metaphorical, including introspective reflection on familial stories and ancestral experiences. The cyclical nature of these sees underscores the concept that the past is not a far-off or static entity however a living part of the present that constantly forms identity and viewpoint.

Desai's belief in "going backwards into the past" highlights the significance she puts on understanding history to comprehend the present totally. It suggests a conviction that the previous holds important insights and lessons that are important for individual development and identity formation. This backwards journey is not merely nostalgic but is depicted as a needed venture to reconstruct and understand the stories that have shaped one's life.

Overall, the quote reflects a deep engagement with themes of memory, history, and identity. Desai articulates a compelling argument for the necessity of facing and embracing one's heritage, recommending that such a journey into the past is important for comprehending oneself and one's place within the larger family and cultural story. This interpretation of the past as a tunnel to be browsed illuminates the intricacies of familial connections and the long-lasting effect of origins on specific identity.