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.
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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