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I noticed in class on Tuesday that Jashoda's profession as motherhood was seen limiting for a woman. I just want to add that in the Indian culture, esp in the traditional areas, women are seen as wives and mothers. The daughters in a family would marry and move into their husband's house, who lived with his entire family, and would help manage the household. Also, her profession seems degrading for a woman, but one important key to the story (at least I believe) is importance of her dream and the Lionseated appearing in it. Dreams, astrology, etc are very important in the culture. The Lionseated coming into her dream as a midwife was interpreted by the rest of the community that the Lionseated was telling Jashoda she will be a midwife. Her dream is more like a prophesy. 

As for the next book/film we should read/watch, I liked the suggestion: 1984, Jhumpa Lahiri, and Born into Brothels.