Crime and Punishment by R. K. Narayan

TOPIC OF THE BLOG:- 

This blog is a part of a task given by Megha Trivedi Ma'am from The English Department, MKBU, Bhavnagar. The topic for this blog is to explore and give details about the short story "Crime and Punishment" by R. K. Narayan. Further, I am going to discuss about movies, novels, stories, videos and articles related to theme of this Short Story. 

R. K. NARAYAN:-

Rasipuram Krishnaswami Narayan, popularly known as R. K. Narayan, was one of India's most celebrated and beloved English-language writers. Born on October 10, 1906, in Madras (now Chennai), India, he is considered a pioneer of Indian literature in English and is often hailed as the country's greatest storyteller. 

Narayan's writing style was characterized by simplicity, wit, and a deep understanding of the human condition. He depicted the everyday lives of ordinary people in small towns and villages, capturing the essence of Indian culture, customs, and traditions. Through his works, he showcased the complexities of human relationships and the charm of ordinary experiences. 

His most famous creation is the fictional town of Malgudi, which serves as the setting for many of his novels and short stories. The fictional world of Malgudi, with its vividly drawn characters and relatable situations, has become an enduring part of Indian literary heritage.

Narayan's debut novel, "Swami and Friends," was published in 1935, and it marked the beginning of his illustrious literary career. He went on to write several acclaimed works, including "The Bachelor of Arts," "The Guide," "The English Teacher," and "The Vendor of Sweets." In 1980, R. K. Narayan was honored with India's highest literary award, the Padma Bhushan. His contributions to literature have earned him international recognition, and his works continue to be widely read and appreciated by readers around the world. 

R. K. Narayan's legacy remains strong, and his literary influence on subsequent generations of writers is profound. He passed away on May 13, 2001, leaving behind a rich and timeless body of work that continues to captivate readers with its charm, wit, and deep insights into the human psyche. (Generated by Chat GPT)

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT:-

Crime and Punishments a short story which gave us idea that not every time a relationship between teacher and student is good. In this short story somewhere we can see the class difference matters than knowledge. A teacher who need to learn some patience and a student need to learn some manners.

If we read the story with shallowness we get to know that punishment here is given to the teacher not to the student. Like the same prime here is done by student as well as teacher. So let's explore this short story in detail. 

CHARACTERS:-

In this Short Story there are two main character and parents are on the side of supportive character.

TEACHER:-

We can see the attitude of the teacher by this line from the original text.

"WHAT is sixteen and three multiplied? "asked the teacher, the boy promptly answered :"Twenty four," with, as it seemed to the teacher, a wicked smile on his lips. The boy evidently was trying To fool him and was going contrary on purpose. He had corrected this error repeatedly, and now the boy persisted in saying" Twenty-four." the teacher felt all his blood rushing to his head. He controlled himself, and asked again :"How much ?" as a last chance. When the boy said the same thing obstinately, he felt as if his finger was releasing the trigger : he reached across the table, and delivered a wholesome slap on the youngster's cheek.

Of course teacher try to control his anger on him but in last he lost it and slapped the Student. After student started to cry he control himself in say sorry in hope that student didn't tell about this incident to his parents. So, somewhere he it seems that he lacks control and knowledge for control the students who are naughty in the classroom. Though he realised what he did and that is a good point we can found in him. In the last part of this story when student tell him to not to tell what he and teacher did when his parents aren't home and he agreed student felt relaxed and teacher tie the hope that now he will listen and understand him. So, somewhere teacher has both side and the punishment (what his student done with him and his parents scold the teacher) is one the side of Teacher. 

STUDENT:-

According to the parents, the boy was a little angel, all dimples, smiles, and sweetness only wings lacking. He was their only child, they had abundant affection and ample money. They built up a nursery, bought him expensive toys, fitted up miniature furniture sets, gave him a small pedal motor-car to go about in all over the garden. They filled up his cupboard with all kinds of sweets and biscuits, and left it to his good sense to devour them moderately. 

These are some original lines from the text which shows that according to the parents how adorable this little kids is. But in his luxury life he don't know what are the simple manners and act all cool and naughty boy like he owns the life and time of all the teachers. It seems like he don't want to study either. In the end he successfully convince his teacher and parents that he is little innocent kid after the crime considered in story he made. But Crime is also happened by the teacher in some sense too.

EXAMPLES:-

TO SIR, WITH LOVE (1967):-

"To Sir, with Love" (1967) is a movie about a teacher who faces challenges while trying to connect with his unruly students in a London school. This movie Directed and Screenplay by James Clavell and star cast members are Sidney Poitier, Judy Geeson, Christian Roberts, Suzy Kendall, The Mindbenders and Lulu. This Movie based on "To Sir, With Love" 1959 novel by E. R. Braithwaite. Here is a little video of this movie available on YouTube:-

MATILDA (1996):-

"Matilda" (1996) is a fantasy-comedy film where a brilliant young girl finds solace in her kind teacher, who supports her against her neglectful parents. This movie is directed by Danny DeVito and based on Matilda by Roald Dahl. This movie starring Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Embeth Davidtz, Pam Ferris and Mara Wilson. Here is a trailer of this movie available on YouTube:-

HALF NELSON (2006):-

In "Half Nelson" (2006) a history teacher who forms an unlikely friendship with one of his students, a young girl caught up in a troubled environment. The film explores the complexities of their relationship and the challenges they face. This movie directed by Ryan Fleck and produced by Jamie Patricof, Alex Orlovsky, Lynette Howell, Anna Boden and Rosanne Korenberg. This movie starring Ryan Gosling, Shareeka Epps and Anthony Mackie, etc. Here is a trailer of the movie available in YouTube:-

WONDER BY R. J. PALACIO (NOVEL):-

The novel follows a young boy named August Pullman, who has a facial difference, as he attends a mainstream school for the first time. The story highlights the conflicts between his parents and some teachers over the best way to support August's integration into the school community. This novel written by R. J. Palacio and published in 2012. This novel follows the subject and themes like Prejudice, Self-acceptance, Middle school Friendship and Bullying. 

MATILDA (NOVEL):-

This classic children's novel features Matilda, a brilliant and precocious young girl with neglectful parents and a tyrannical headmistress. The story explores Matilda's struggles with her parents and her unlikely alliance with a caring teacher. This novel written by Roald Dahl and published in 1988.

THE LESSON (SHORT STORY):-

"The Lesson" is a compelling short story by Toni Cade Bambara and published in 1972, takes place in Harlem, New York. It follows a group of African-American children led by their teacher, Miss Moore, on a field trip to a lavish toy store in Manhattan. As the kids from a low-income neighborhood encounter the opulence around them, they are confronted with the stark contrast between their modest lives and the world of privilege they witness. Through Miss Moore's guidance, the story serves as a poignant commentary on social and economic inequality, prompting the children to grapple with eye-opening realizations about their own circumstances and the broader societal issues at play. Told from the perspective of Sylvia, one of the students, "The Lesson" offers a thought-provoking narrative that explores themes of social consciousness and education. The story's impact lies in its ability to expose the disparities between different socioeconomic groups and the transformative power of understanding the wider context of one's circumstances. Miss Moore's field trip becomes a catalyst for the children's critical thinking, leaving them with a profound lesson that extends beyond the walls of the toy store and into the complexities of the world they inhabit. Here is video on this story help you to understand this Story available in YouTube:-

For further understanding I like to suggest a TED video by Sir Ken Robinson on (still) wants an education revolution (Click Here). 

To read my Blog on another Short Story named An Astrologer's Day by R. K. Narayan Click Here.

NOTE:- If you have any suggestion or wants to say something please comment below or contact me on my social media.