Crime and Punishment by R K Narayan

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This blog is part of our study. This Thinking activity is based on Crime and Punishment A Short Story by R K Narayan and was assigned by Megha Ma'am Department of English MKBU. In this task, we have to give responses to some questions through this task.

R.K.Narayan

R.K. Narayan, whose full name was Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami, was one of India's most celebrated and beloved English-language writers. He was born on October 10, 1906, in Madras (now Chennai), India, and he passed away on May 13, 2001, in Chennai.

Narayan's writing career began with the publication of his first novel, "Swami and Friends," in 1935. This marked the beginning of a long and successful literary journey. He went on to write numerous novels, short stories, and essays, capturing the essence of life in small Indian towns and creating a rich tapestry of characters and experiences.

His fictional town of Malgudi, though imaginary, became so vividly described in his works that it seemed like a real place to his readers. Narayan's writing style was simple, humorous, and filled with humanistic values. He often used satire to depict the social and cultural complexities of Indian society.

Some of his most famous works include "The Bachelor of Arts," "The English Teacher," "The Guide," "Malgudi Days," and "The Vendor of Sweets." His novel "The Guide" won him the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 1960. Narayan's works received widespread acclaim both in India and internationally, making him a prominent figure in Indian literature in English. 

Crime and Punishment

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 favour corporal punishment. They lecture to the teacher their views on infant psychology every evening. It seemed to the teacher that the boy was made of thin glass.

According to the parents, the boy was a little angel, all dimples, smiles, and sweetness – only wings lacking. But the teacher was convinced that he was in charge of a little gorilla and what needed to make the youngster a normal citizen was not cajoling but an anna-worth cane.

One day the teacher slaps the boy in a fit of anger when he failed to answer a simple question, even after repeated correction. The teacher thought that the boy was trying to fool him.

When the boy threatened to tell his parents about it, the teacher was horrified. He tries to pacify the boy. The boy takes the opportunity and blackmails the teacher. He makes the teacher close the lessons for the day, makes him the station master, tells him stories, and at the end makes him run around the garden thrice.

When the parents appear, the teacher decided to tell the truth and take the punishment. But when the father asks about the preparation for the test, the boy pleads with his eyes not to betray him. The teacher saves the boy by saying that he was doing well in the examination. He also hopes that the boy would not betray him.

R K Narayan mingles humor, sarcasm, irony, and a serious undertone in his story. He portrays his characters, in a vivid and realistic manner, and they seem to spring up from the society around us. The hopes and dreams of the parents, the poverty of the schoolmaster which makes him take tuition class after six hours of working in the school, the mischievous nature of the boy, the silly mistakes that they commit, the dilemma the teacher faces, the predicament of the boy at the end, all are finely woven together.

The story highlights the truth that over-caring and over-parenting spoil the child. It proves the old saying, “Spare the rod and spoil the child”.

Exploring the dynamic roles of Teacher and student in Crime and Punishment by R.K. Narayan

Characters

In this Short Story, there are also two main characters:

1. Teacher

The teacher in R K Narayan’s story “Crime and Punishment”, is a symbol of traditional teachers in the Indian States of South India. He does six hours of teaching in the school during the day but his poverty forced him to take tuition to a mischievous boy of rich parents for thirty rupees a month. He had to teach the boy three hours every evening and listen to the child's psychological theories of the parents and pretend that he agreed with them. In his heart, he knew that he was in charge of a little gorilla and not the little angel in the opinion of the parents. He was prepared to advance the ana for buying the cane which was all that needed to make the boy a normal citizen. 

The teacher commits the crime of slapping the boy and suffers the punishment of suffering the boy’s blackmail. The boy takes the situation in hand and makes teacher dance to his tune. At first the boy made his stop the lessons for the day and then made him the stationmaster. When the train stopped moving, he had to tell the boy stories. At the end the boy made him run around the garden thrice. However, he saves the boy from the parents and hopes that the boy would not betray him.

2. Student

In the story you described, the student's character appears to be mischievous, clever, and somewhat manipulative. He comes from a wealthy and educated family and is described as an "angel" by his parents, who view him as adorable and innocent. However, the teacher, who spends time teaching the boy as a private tutor, has a different perception of him.

The story sheds light on the complex dynamics between a teacher and student, exploring the power struggles and challenges that can arise in such relationships, especially when there are conflicting parenting styles and expectations from the student. It also highlights the consequences of overindulgence and over-caring by parents, which may lead to a child's misbehavior and a lack of discipline.

Examples

"Matilda" Movie and Novel

"Matilda" (1996) - Based on Roald Dahl's novel, this movie follows a young girl with telekinetic powers who must navigate a difficult family and school life. 

It explores themes of resilience, intellectual curiosity, and the importance of supportive teachers.

Dead Poets Society

"Dead Poets Society" (1989) - This film portrays the relationship between an English teacher and his students at a conservative all-boys preparatory school. 

It delves into themes of inspiration, individuality, and the impact of a teacher on students' lives.

Taare Zameen Par

"Taare Zameen Par" (2007) - Directed by Aamir Khan, the film tells the story of a dyslexic child named Ishaan and his struggles at school until a compassionate art teacher recognizes his talents and helps him overcome his learning difficulties.

"Taare Zameen Par" is a heartwarming short movie about Ishaan, an 8-year-old boy with dyslexia who struggles with academics. A compassionate art teacher, Mr. Nikumbh, recognizes his potential and helps him find confidence through art. The movie celebrates the importance of understanding and nurturing the unique talents of every child.

The short movie leaves viewers inspired and moved, underscoring the idea that every child is special and has the potential to shine bright like stars (Taare) on Earth (Zameen Par).

Hichki

"Hichki" (2018) - The film follows a woman with Tourette syndrome who becomes a teacher and faces challenges in gaining the acceptance and respect of her students.

The story of "Hichki" revolves around Naina Mathur (Rani Mukerji), a woman with Tourette syndrome, a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive and involuntary movements or vocalizations known as tics. Despite facing numerous rejections in job interviews due to her condition, Naina is determined to become a teacher.

Finally, she gets an opportunity to fulfill her dream and starts teaching at St. Notker's School, which is known for its unruly and mischievous students. The school staff and students initially struggle to accept her because of her condition, but Naina's persistence and dedication eventually win them over.

"Hichki" delivers a heartwarming and inspiring message about the importance of inclusivity and understanding in education, celebrating diversity and embracing differences.

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