Jagan is a lovable hypocrite. His aggressive piousness, combined with his need to brag about his detachment from the material world, make it hard to take him seriously. However, this provides a useful contrast in his relationship to Mali. Nothing in the novel is more certain than his love for his son. Although Jagan can be overbearing, stubborn, insufferable, and oblivious, he truly wants Mali to be happy. He supports Mali in all of the endeavors that do not cause him to compromise his own beliefs, and is willing to let Mali learn from his own mistakes, rather than bailing him out of trouble and sparing him harsh lessons. Jagan does not find true peace until he stops caring what others think of him. This is evidenced by the fact that he is finally willing to retreat to the grove, where he will truly be alone and unobserved. 

Mali represents the younger generation of India’s men at the time of the novel’s setting. He is ambitious but can be callus to those who will not help him. When Jagan tries to interest him in India’s traditions, he sneers. He is willing to rob his father to escape to America, but stays in contact with him, knowing that Jagan will suffer if he does not.