Archetypes, Tradition, Religion, And Gender Discrimination

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Abstract : The essence of literature is to enable one to think and draw parallels between the text in concern and the day and age one lives in. This paper aims at achieving the afore-mentioned end, by examining the plethora of themes present in the novel. It also throws light on the characters who serve as mouthpieces for all that Narayan aims to convey through the text. Set against the backdrop of a fictional Indian town, the novel is a vivid description of all that the Indian society stands for.

Key Words : Indian society, Archetypes, Tradition, Religion, Gender discrimination.

The Guide (1958) by R.K. is centered around India - its landscape, culture, traditions and conventions, together with the gradual shift in the ethos owing itself to modernity. While also considering these aspects, it is essential to club …show more content…

From the beginning of the book when he comes across Raju to the end when the truth of the latter is revealed, he is depicted as one who is extremely in awe of the Swami. “Even after listening to the past life of Raju, Velan continues to acknowledge him as Swami; he took Raju’s confession as a mark of humility and godliness” (Christy 1173). He, thus, goes on to become “a prisoner of his own credulity” (Ramteke 60). Narayan, through the character of Velan, directly indicates the manner in which rogues disguised as sages and priests exploit the masses. This is reiterated through the village folk who, like Velan, blindly believe the Swami and all that he says. However, it is because of Velan that Raju becomes a saint. He is Raju’s “spiritual guide and introduces spiritual transformation in him” (Jha

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