The Third and Final Continent | Class 11 English Notes

The narrator mentions that he paid a very low rent for his lodging in London, which astonishes his son. This indicates financial constraints. Additionally, the fact that he was adjusting to a new country and working in a library suggests modest means. The story also implies that he lived simply and was careful with money.

In London, the narrator adapted by learning to navigate the Tube, understanding British English terms, and living frugally. In Cambridge, he adjusted by learning American customs, such as the difference between a flask and a thermos, and by forming a relationship with Mrs Croft, which helped him feel at home. He also embraced the new culture while maintaining his Indian identity.

Mrs Croft is portrayed as an elderly, independent, and somewhat eccentric woman who has lived a long life. She is proud of her age and experiences, values tradition, and has a strong personality. Despite her age, she is sharp and maintains her dignity. Her relationship with the narrator shows her warmth and capacity for friendship.

Mrs Croft and her daughter Helen have a distant and formal relationship. Helen is practical and somewhat impatient with her mother's eccentricities. She lives separately and is concerned about her mother's well-being but does not share a close emotional bond. Their interactions suggest a typical parent-child relationship strained by age and differing outlooks.