Hy readers! I am going to write this blog in response to a thinking activity assigned by Megha Trivedi ma'am, Department of English, MKBU. In this blog, I am going to write about two short stories by R K Narayan 'Crime and Punishment' and 'An Astrologer's Day'.
Through this blog, I'll endeavor to present relevant examples - check out examples from articles and movies related to the story 'Crime And Punishment'. In addition to providing examples, I will also analyze the differences between the movie adaptation and the original short story of "An Astrologer's Day."
About Author:
Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami, popularly known as R.K. Narayan, was an Indian writer globally known for his fictional writings of Malgudi.
R.K. Narayan was born on 10 October 1906. In his long career he published fourteen novels, over two hundred short stories, a memoir, two travel books, innumerable essays, and two plays. His first novel was Swami and Friends (1935). His last published work was Grandmother's Tale (1992). R. K. Narayan earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Mysore and went to the United States in 1956 at the invitation of the Rockefeller Foundation. His literary career began with his short stories, which appeared in ‘The Hindu’ newspaper. He began to work as the Mysore correspondent of ‘Justice’, a Madras-based newspaper. This great storyteller passed away on May 13, 2001 at the age of 94. Narayan played an exceptional role in making India accessible to the outside world through literature. Some of his most prominent works are:
Novels:
- Swami and Friends (1935)
- The Bachelor of
- Arts (1937)
- The Dark Room (1938)
- The English Teacher (1945)
- Mr. Sampath (1948)
- The Financial Expert (1952)
- Waiting for the Mahatma (1955)
- The Guide (1958)
- The Maneater of Malgudi (1961)
- The Vendor of Sweets (1967)
- Talkative Man (1986)
- The World of Nagaraj (1990)
- Grandmother’s Tale (1992)
Short Stories:
- Malgudi Days (1942)
- An Astrologer’s Day and Other Stories (1947)
- Lawley Road and Other Stories (1956)
- A Horse and Two Goats (1970)
- Under the Banyan Tree and Other Stories (1985)
- The Grandmother’s Tale and Selected Stories (1994)
'Crime and Punishment':
In R.K. Narayan's 'Crime and Punishment', the dynamic roles of teacher and student play a significant role in shaping the narrative and exploring the complexities of the learning process. R K Narayan’s short story ‘Crime and Punishment’ is about a school master who commits a crime and the punishment he undergoes. The story is set in an Indian background. The teacher, purely out of monetary benefits, takes tuition, to a clever and naughty child, of rich and educated parents.
The parents want the boy to secure a double promotion but at the same time want him to be taught in their line of child psychology. They do not favor corporal punishment. They lecture to the teacher their views on infant psychology every evening.
Role of Teacher and student:
The teacher in the story is a hardworking man. He teaches 6 hours in the school and then he comes to teach the small boy in the nursery for just 30 rupees a month. He has to work for three hours in the nursery teaching a gorilla of a child. In the story Teacher represents the traditional approach to education with a focus on discipline, rules, and rote learning. Swami, the young protagonist, embodies the innocent curiosity and rebellion of a typical schoolboy.
The teacher suffered at the hands of the parents also. Every day he had to listen to the lectures of the parents on child psychology for half an hour. They pampered him a lot and they wanted the teacher to also be very kind to the boy. The teacher represents many teachers in our society who do not get a decent salary for their work.
In the story R.K. Narayan skillfully portrays the dynamic roles of teacher and student, exploring the complexities of the educational process and the transformative power of genuine mentorship. The story not only showcases the challenges of maintaining discipline and imparting knowledge but also emphasizes the importance of nurturing creativity, individuality, and curiosity in students' growth and development.
Over Parenting:
R. K. Narayan’ Crime and Punishment can be read as a satire on over-parenting. The parents in the story are well versed in the child-psychology theories. The father had written a thesis on infant psychology for his M.A. The mother had studied a good deal of it for her B.A. They insist that the child should not be repressed in any way. He should have the freedom to play. They want their child to grow up as a healthy citizen. They built a nursery, bought expensive toys, fitted up miniature furniture sets and gave him a small pedal motor car to go about all over the garden. They filled up his cupboard with all kinds of sweets and biscuits and wanted him to devour them moderately. They believe a great deal in leaving things that way.
At the same time, the parents want their child to get fifty in the class test and go up by double promotion. The boy is so playful that he does not want to learn. The teacher is badly in need of the thirty rupees, paid to him on every first day of the month. That is why the teacher is forced to dance to his tune. The teacher’s dilemma is presented in a humorous way. The boy is pictured as a gorilla and a tyrant. The teacher believes that instead of cajoling, beating with a cane would reform him. Though the story evokes laughter through comic situations one can feel that the author stands on the teacher’s side. We feel sympathy towards the teacher. The reader may think that a cane is the best device to reform the incorrigible nature of the boy. The story satirizes the disadvantages of over-parenting convincingly.
Examples:
Article:-
CLICK HERE - Empathy in the Classroom: Why Should I Care?
In the context of the article "Empathy in the Classroom: Why Should I Care?" by Lauren Owen, there are several connections that can be drawn with R.K. Narayan's short story "Crime and Punishment."
'Crime and Punishment' highlights the importance of empathy in education. They emphasize building a positive classroom culture, strengthening community, and preparing students to become empathetic leaders. The teacher-student relationships in the short story mirror the positive impact of empathy in the classroom, fostering mutual understanding and personal growth. Both narratives advocate for a compassionate and nurturing learning environment, where empathy plays a vital role in shaping students' experiences and development.
Hichki Movie:-
In the 2018 Hindi movie "Hichki," directed by Siddharth P. Malhotra, Rani Mukerji plays the role of Naina Mathur, a highly motivated and aspiring teacher who faces the challenges of Tourette's syndrome. Despite her condition, Naina is determined to fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher and making a positive impact on her students' lives.
Naina shows empathy and compassion towards her rowdy and underprivileged students in class 9F. She connects with them on a personal level, tailoring her teaching approach to suit their individual needs. Naina's empathy and support empower her students to overcome their challenges and discover their hidden talents. Through her dedication and understanding, she transforms their lives, proving that a teacher's empathy can make a significant impact on students' growth and development.
Taare Zameen Par:-
In the heartwarming film "Taare Zameen Par" (2007), directed by Aamir Khan, a dyslexic child's journey unfolds with the help of an empathetic teacher. The teacher recognizes the child's struggles, understands his unique learning needs, and provides the support and understanding he needs to overcome his challenges. Through empathy, the teacher transforms the child's life, showing the power of compassion in education.
These examples share common themes with "Crime and Punishment" by delving into the dynamic interactions between teachers and students, the impact of mentoring, and the transformative power of education.
'An Astrologer's Day':
'An Astrologer's Day' is a short story written by Indian author R.K. Narayan. It was first published in 1947 as part of his collection of short stories titled "Malgudi Days." The story is set in the fictional town of Malgudi, a place that features prominently in many of Narayan's works. The plot revolves around an astrologer who sets up his modest business on a busy street in Malgudi. He poses as a knowledgeable astrologer and fortune-teller, using various props and tricks to impress his clients.
As the astrologer studies the man's palm, he realizes that the man is his long-lost enemy, the one he thought he had killed years ago. Fearful of being recognized, the astrologer continues with the reading, trying to conceal his identity. He predicts the man's future, claiming he will encounter death in the near future. The man is terrified by the prediction and gives the astrologer a hefty payment for the service.
The story concludes with the astrologer realizing the unpredictability of fate and how chance encounters can unexpectedly shape one's life. It explores the complexities of human connections and the mysteries that lie within each individual's past, ultimately leading to a surprising and thought-provoking ending.
Here I would like to share the Video of An Astrologer's Day - Hindi Short Film on Youtube:
How faithful is the movie to the original short story?
The movie remains largely faithful to the original short story, ' An Astrologer's Day.' The characters, situations, and locations are depicted in a manner that closely aligns with the story. The movie conveys the overall message of the story. There may be some differences also between the original short story and the movie version but after all this movie is also very important and easy to understand the original story.
After watching the movie, have your perception about the short story, characters, or situations changed?
Watching the movie changed how I saw the short story, its characters, and the situations. The visuals helped me understand the story better. In the movie, the Astrologer's wife's character is introduced from the start, unlike in the short story where she is revealed at the end. The added dialogues in Hindi language added depth to the story's tone and suspense. The ending scene of the story and the video both have some differences.
Do you feel ‘aesthetic delight’ while watching the movie? If yes, exactly when did it happen? If no, can you explain with reasons?
I enjoyed watching the movie, and it added to the pleasure of reading the short story. The movie visually portrays the characters and events, making it more enjoyable. It includes some new conversations, like the one between the Astrologer and his wife, which makes it engaging. The interaction between the astrologer and Guru Nayak is also captivating. Overall, the movie offers aesthetic delight.
Does screening of movie help you better understanding of the short story?
Yes, the screening of a movie can help me to better understand. If you read the short story and want to watch the movie, it can be enjoyable and educational to see how the filmmakers turned the story into a movie. Movies are easy to understand and can make the experience more fun.
Was there any particular scene or moment in the story that you think was perfect?
In the story, the main character, the Astrologer, sees Guru Nayak's face clearly when he lights a matchstick. He recognizes him from their previous encounter. Later, when Guru Nayak sees the Astrologer's bare chest, he notices a scar left by the knife during their previous encounter. These moments help them recall their past interaction and create tension in the story. It's an amazing scene.
If you are the director, what changes would you like to make in the remaking of the movie based on the short story “An Astrologer’s Day” by R.K. Narayan?
As the movie director, I would make the characters more relatable, especially the character of an astrologer with more attitude, expand the scenery, add flashbacks to create intrigue, and craft an original ending to leave a lasting impression.
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