Narrative techniques employed by Mulk Raj Anand in his novel UNTOUCHABLE.

 Q. Narrative techniques employed by Mulk Raj Anand in his novel UNTOUCHABLE.

Mulk Raj Anand’s Untouchable (1935) is a seminal work in Indian literature that critiques the rigid caste system prevalent in Indian society and explores the lives of the oppressed and marginalized. The novel stands as a powerful narrative that sheds light on the harsh realities faced by the untouchables, a class ostracized and dehumanized by the social order. Anand employs a range of narrative techniques to make his story compelling and to expose the injustices faced by the untouchables. These techniques are deeply rooted in his social consciousness, drawing attention to the emotional and psychological dimensions of oppression. This long analysis will explore the various narrative techniques employed by Anand in Untouchable, including his choice of narrative perspective, characterization, symbolism, dialogue, language, and use of realism. Each of these contributes to the novel’s poignant portrayal of the untouchable protagonist, Bakha, and serves to underscore the broader social critique embedded in the narrative.

1. Narrative Perspective and Point of View

One of the most striking features of Anand’s Untouchable is his use of a third-person limited narrative perspective. This technique allows the narrative to delve deeply into the psyche of Bakha, the protagonist, while also providing a broader view of the social and political milieu in which he lives. The third-person limited viewpoint ensures that the readers gain access to Bakha’s thoughts, feelings, and anxieties, but they also see the world through the lens of his oppressed position in society. Bakha is aware of his place in the social hierarchy, and the novel follows his experiences as he navigates this rigid structure. Anand’s choice of a limited perspective also emphasizes Bakha’s isolation and alienation. While the narrative occasionally shifts to other characters, particularly in scenes involving the higher castes or Bakha’s family members, it remains centered on Bakha’s emotional journey, his internal conflict, and his reflections on his situation.

This limited point of view also contributes to the emotional intensity of the novel. The narrative does not present the untouchable community as a monolith but allows readers to witness the complexities and nuances of Bakha’s inner world. Bakha’s responses to events—his feelings of shame, frustration, anger, and longing—are rendered with a profound sensitivity that helps humanize the character. The narrative voice thus mirrors the oppressive silence and disempowerment of Bakha while giving voice to his innermost struggles.


2. Characterization and Psychological Depth

Anand’s characterization of Bakha, the central protagonist, is a crucial technique that brings out the psychological depth of the story. Bakha, a young sweeper, is depicted as a complex individual struggling with internal and external forces. He is caught between his inherent humanity and the external societal forces that reduce him to an object of scorn. Anand goes to great lengths to create a sympathetic and multidimensional character, showing how Bakha is aware of his own dignity as a human being but is simultaneously trapped in a system that denies him his humanity.

Through Bakha’s character, Anand explores a range of psychological and emotional states. Bakha’s internal conflict is evident as he struggles with his desire for freedom and equality, his resentment towards the caste system, and his deep feelings of shame and inferiority. The psychological realism of Bakha’s character is evident in his interactions with the people around him. For instance, his relationship with his father, Lakha, is fraught with tension, as Lakha represents the traditional, accepting attitude toward untouchability, while Bakha yearns for change and self-improvement.

In addition to Bakha, other characters in the novel, such as his family members, friends, and the higher-caste individuals, are depicted with varying degrees of complexity. Anand does not simply present them as stereotypes but as products of their social environments, thereby highlighting the complexities of the caste system and its impact on human behavior. The character of Bakha’s love interest, Sohini, for example, represents both the potential for human connection across caste barriers and the harsh realities of the rigid social divisions.

3. Symbolism

Symbolism plays an important role in Anand’s narrative technique, with certain objects, events, and even characters representing broader themes of oppression, social injustice, and the yearning for liberation. For example, Bakha’s broom, which he uses as a sweeper, functions as a powerful symbol of his caste identity. The broom is not only a physical object but also a symbol of the filth, degradation, and dehumanization associated with untouchability. In a deeper sense, it represents Bakha’s position in the social order—one that is inextricably linked to the menial labor that he is forced to perform.

The character of the British officer, who represents colonial authority, is another symbol in the novel. He stands as an embodiment of both Western colonial power and the alienation of the Indian masses, particularly the lower castes. Anand uses the officer to critique the way colonialism compounds the social divisions of the caste system. The officer’s indifferent behavior towards Bakha’s plight highlights the alienation and powerlessness felt by the untouchables, who, in many ways, are oppressed both by the indigenous caste system and by the foreign colonial rulers.

Sohini, Bakha’s sister, also functions as a symbol of purity and victimization. Her vulnerability, particularly when she is assaulted by a high-caste man, highlights the intersection of caste and gender oppression. Her plight serves as a metaphor for the purity myth that the higher castes use to maintain their dominance over the untouchables, while simultaneously exposing the vulnerability of women in a patriarchal society.

4. Dialogue and Language

Anand’s use of dialogue and language is another powerful narrative technique. The language used by the characters in the novel reflects their caste, education, and social status. For Bakha, the language he uses is simple and often reflects the limited scope of his world. His speech is marked by a kind of disempowerment, as he is unable to articulate his thoughts or express his frustrations fully. His limited vocabulary is indicative of his position in society, where education and intellectual development are reserved for higher castes. This use of language reflects Bakha’s marginalization and the broader social inequities that define his life.

In contrast, the higher-caste characters in the novel speak in a more polished and authoritative manner. The differences in language serve as a subtle yet powerful way of illustrating the social and cultural hierarchies at play in Indian society. Anand’s inclusion of different dialects and modes of speech highlights the diversity of Indian society and the many layers of oppression that the untouchables must navigate.

Moreover, Anand’s use of dialect in the dialogues brings a sense of realism to the narrative. The characters speak in a manner that reflects their regional backgrounds, class, and caste, adding depth to the social and cultural landscape of the novel. This use of language helps to create a vivid and authentic portrayal of the characters’ lives, as it reflects the way they see the world and interact with each other.

5. Realism and Social Critique

Realism is perhaps the most significant narrative technique employed by Anand in Untouchable. The novel is a stark and unflinching portrayal of the day-to-day lives of the untouchables, their struggles for survival, and their psychological torment. Anand’s detailed descriptions of Bakha’s interactions with other characters—whether it be with his father, with the British officer, or with the higher-caste individuals—serve to highlight the entrenched inequalities and injustices of the caste system. The narrative does not shy away from depicting the harsh realities of untouchability, from the daily humiliation Bakha faces to the violence and exploitation that others, like Sohini, endure.

The novel also critiques the Indian middle class’s complicity in perpetuating the caste system. Bakha’s interaction with the reformist Pandit is particularly telling in this regard. The Pandit represents a kind of moral hypocrisy, as he condemns the untouchables’ fate without questioning the social system that keeps them in their place. Through these encounters, Anand underscores the moral contradictions that characterize Indian society, showing that social change cannot be achieved merely through individual acts of charity or reform but requires a fundamental reordering of social and economic systems.

Anand’s approach to realism is not merely a matter of social critique but also an exploration of the human condition under oppression. By focusing on Bakha’s inner world, Anand demonstrates how the caste system impacts the psyche of the untouchable. Bakha’s dreams of a better life, his yearning for education and self-improvement, and his awareness of his own worth as a human being serve to make him a tragic figure. His suffering is not only external but also internal, as he grapples with feelings of shame, anger, and helplessness. This psychological realism makes Bakha’s character deeply relatable and humanizes the untouchables, whom the broader society views as subhuman.

6. Use of Setting and Environmental Descriptions

The setting of Untouchable plays a significant role in highlighting the social and psychological realities of the characters. Anand’s descriptions of the physical environment—ranging from the dirt-filled streets and the unsanitary conditions of the slums to the imposing colonial buildings and the lavish homes of the higher castes—serve to emphasize the division between the various social classes. The setting reflects the rigid social structures that govern the lives of the characters, especially the untouchables. The filth and squalor that Bakha is forced to navigate are not only physical realities but also metaphors for the social stigma and degradation that define his existence.

Moreover, the oppressive heat and the dust-filled environment of the town are symbolic of the internalized oppression that the untouchables face. The environmental descriptions serve to heighten the sense of entrapment and suffocation that Bakha feels, underscoring the inescapable nature of his caste identity.

Conclusion

Mulk Raj Anand’s Untouchable is a work of remarkable narrative complexity, using a variety of techniques to create a poignant and powerful critique of the caste system in India. Through his use of narrative perspective, characterization, symbolism, dialogue, language, realism, and setting, Anand is able to present the untouchable experience with emotional depth and psychological insight. The novel is not just a social critique but also a deeply human story about the struggles of a young man trapped in an oppressive system. Through Bakha’s story, Anand challenges the reader to confront the injustices of untouchability and to reflect on the ways in which social hierarchies dehumanize individuals. In this way, Untouchable remains a timeless and important work in the canon of Indian literature and a powerful call for social change.

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