The magnificent short story written by R.K. Narayan Out of business. This is a must read story analysis which presents the arc so beautifully, Included in the Calcutta University Syllabus. Share it.
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R.K. Narayan: Out of Business
In
Out of Business by R.K. Narayan we have the theme of control, struggle, defeat,
desperation, depression, identity, hope and unity. Taken from his Malgudi Days
collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and
from the beginning of the story the reader realises that Narayan may be
exploring the theme of control. Rama relies on others doing well, the banks and
the Gramophone Company. He lives his life precariously even though this may not
have been his intention. He is reliant on both the banks and the Gramophone
Company to be successful in order for him to be successful and when the banks
collapse so too does the Gramophone Company. The downside for Ram is that he
now has no job and he has to down-size. Aspirations he might have had to
improve his life materialistically have faded. If anything life becomes a
struggle for Rama and his family. Something that is noticeable by the amount of
job applications that Rama sends out without any luck. The fact that Rama sends
out so many job applications may also be important as it suggests that Rama is
not prepared to accept defeat. He continues to persevere to the best of his
ability. A trait that many readers and critics might find admirable. However it
might be important to remember that Rama does get disheartened after each
rejection he receives from potential employers.
Narayan
may also be exploring the theme of desperation. Rama spends a lot of his time
doing crosswords puzzles hoping that he will win some money. He becomes so
preoccupied with the crossword puzzles that he spends his time at the
newsagents’ checking to see if he has won. This may be important as it suggests
that due to his circumstances Rama has become desperate. He is putting all his
faith in the hope that he might win a prize from the crossword puzzles. It is
as though the only hope that Rama feels he has, is winning on the crossword
puzzles. It is also noticeable that Rama’s preoccupation with the crossword
puzzles is taking a toll on his family life. So disastrous is Rama’s
preoccupation that money for household expenses is being spent on crossword
puzzles. It is as though Rama is blindly leading himself into an alternative
world that is devoid of reality. Rama’s circumstances and those of his family
are dire yet he continues to spend money he doesn’t have on the crossword
puzzles. Though again the reader is aware of just how desperate Rama is.
There
is also no doubting that the continual failures that Rama encounters with the
crossword puzzles leads to him feeling depressed. So depressed is Rama that he
contemplates suicide. He can see no other option. He has spent money he could
not afford to spend on crossword puzzles and has not been successful. It is as
though Rama views his life as being a failure. Not even the thought of his
family can lift Rama’s spirits. It is also possible that Rama has lost his
identity since he lost his job. No longer is he as sure of who he is which may
not help the depression that Rama feels. For Rama the most important thing is
‘total extinction.’ However things do not go as planned for Rama. There has
been a derailment of a train causing a three hour delay. This may be important
because in this moment Rama gets a new lease of life. It is as though he has an
epiphany or moment of realisation. Understanding that how he has lived his life
(doing the crossword puzzles) is the wrong way to live. He begins to realise
that there is something else worth living for and that something is his family.
The
end of the story is also interesting as there is as sense of unity between Rama
and his family. No longer is Rama interested in spending money he doesn’t have
on crossword puzzles. Rather with the money he will receive from the sale of
his home he intends to find work in Madras. Where previously Rama had lost
focus he now realises that his family are the most important thing in his life.
It is as though the sale of Rama’s home has brought a new sense of hope into
his life. It is also noticeable that Rama for the first time in a long time is
at one with himself. It is as though he remembers what his priorities are and
the responsibilities that he has. Something that was missing when Rama was
spending money on the crossword puzzles. Money that he did not necessarily have
to spend. At the end of the story the reader can’t help but feel as though Rama
and his family’s life will improve for the better. Though Rama had chased good
fortune by buying the crossword puzzles. It is the sale of his home that has
brought him the luck that he needs to get himself back on his feet.
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Articles related to
this chapter:-
- Out of Business | R.K.Narayan | Short Story
- Out of Business | R.K. Narayan | Important Questions & Answers
- Out of Business | R.K.Narayan | Summary
Know more about stuff related:-
- Where the Mind is Without
Fear | Rabindranath Tagore | Poem
- Spoken English and
Broken English | George Bernard Shaw | Essay | Graduation
- My Financial
Career | Stephen Leacock | Short Story
Reference:-
- “Out Of Business.” Ankit Sahay, 26 Sept. 2017, www.ankitsahay.com/out-of-business/.
- McManus, Dermot. "Out of Business by R.K. Narayan." The Sitting Bee. The Sitting Bee, 26 Aug. 2017. <http://sittingbee.com/out-of-business-r-k-narayan/>.
- University of Calcutta. University English Selections: Three Year Degree Course, 2007
For latest syllabus, both for compulsory and
alternative papers for B.Sc. Part – I exam, check out the CU’s official notice http://www.caluniv.ac.in/news/Revised-Syllabus-Eng-HGCCA.pdf for more info. To refer to the old syllabus, click on
this link http://www.caluniv.ac.in/syllabus/eng-alternative-compulsury.pdf .
**There are constant un-noticed changes within the university which needs your attention at regular intervals for better results.
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Related Questions-
Out of Business
R.K.
Narayan
My
financial career
The
seven ages of man
William
Shakespeare
William
Wordsworth
Stephen Leacock
Summar and Analysis
Calcutta University
Part - I
B.Sc. B.A.
Honours and General
University of Calcutta
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