Sophie Mol tells Estha and Rahel that "We've come here [India] to recover from the shock." (Roy 145). I think it's strange, however, for Margaret to take Sophie to the home of her ex-husband in order to recover from the recent loss of her husband. Upon arrival, Sophie is very intrigued by the scenes she sees such as the dead elephant, and the things she hears from Estha and Rahel. It was her first time in a developing country, so I'm sure she was taken aback by the culture shock, even though we don't hear about her until her unfortunate trip to the river. I think that Margaret took her daughter to India immediately after Joe died to be able to see a vast chunk of her heritage, even though Sophie and Chacko aren't especially close. Margaret Kochamme knew that after that visit, it would be the end. What she does not forsee, however, is the tragedy that ends in Sophie's death.