Karma (short story)

"Karma" is a story written by Indian writer Khushwant Singh. It was originally published in 1989 in Singh's The Collected Stories. Karma is about an Indian "Gentleman" who tries to adopt upper class English culture and lifestyle such as speaking the "Queen's English", and about his relation with his wife etc.

Theme

The story Karma illustrates the famous proverb "Pride Comes Before a Fall". It is the story of an arrogant person who feels bad about his country's culture, lifestyle etc. He is condescending to his wife because she is an ordinary woman unable to appreciate his aristocratic English culture. Others are: Imitation of foreign culture, Unhappy married life, Contrast of culture and life-style, Aristocracy and patriotism

Plot

Mohan Lal is a middle-aged man who works in the British Raj. He is ashamed to be an Indian and hence he tries to speak in English or in Anglicized Hindustani and dresses up as a high-ranked British official. He fills crossword puzzles, to show off his immense knowledge of English. His wife Lachmi is a traditional Indian woman and due to this difference they don't have a sweet married life.[1]

The important event occurs on a journey of Mohan Lal and Lachmi in a train. He makes Lachmi sit in the general compartment while he gets his seat arranged in the first class compartment, which was meant for the British. There he meets two British soldiers who try to abuse him. When the arrogant Mohan Lal opposes them, he is thrown out of the train. He could only look through the rails on the moving train.

Characters
  • Sir Mohan Lal - An arrogant middle-aged man
  • Lady Lal - An ordinary Indian woman who want to be the wife of Mohan Lal and loves to chew on Betel Leaves
  • A bearer
  • A porter
  • Two British soldiers
  1.Bill
  2.Jim

Tone and style of narration

Karma presents a relevant topic in the typical humorous way of Khushwant Singh. The style of narration used by the author is third person omniscient limited to Sir Mohan Lal at first, then his wife Lachmi, then Sir Mohan, then Lachmi, which gives the reader a better perspective.

References
  1. "Beyond the parade, 5 films that portray Independence Day in its true spirit". Hindustan Times. August 15, 2017.
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