6. Perspective and Identity
Untouchable’s central character Bakha and Joothan’s narrator play a key role in communicating the emotions, thoughts and conflicts of a marginalised society. Their bitterness towards the subjugating higher classes along with their helplessness and constant urge yet failure to fight back allows the readers to understand the plight of the Dalits rather than just sympathise with them.
While Bakha is a victim of subjugation and is pushed deeper into the realms of submission by his father, Valmiki was encouraged to study and was made to stay away from his family’s menial jobs. His father believed in reform and wanted him to ‘change the caste’ . Yet the endings in the two works are quite the contrary while Mulk Raj Anand evokes a ray of hope in the young Bakha’s mind by offering him an array of solutions to untouchability Valmiki ends with the bitter truth …show more content…
However it was the detailed and personal aspect of Valmiki’s life as a ‘Chuhra’ which is heart-warming and instils deep emotions of shock and sympathy. His refection and portrayal of his cruel past leave an impact on the readers. The essay also brought to light how the obscure and unrealatable images used in Joothan contribute to distancing of the readers to the outcasts thus emphasising their segregation.
The means used by the two authors, though strikingly similar, has vastly different effects on the readers. While Anand’s interesting language and characterization of Bakha tend to elevate their affinity towards him, Valmiki’s judgemental and blunt writing, a result of his suffering, create images that disgust the reader, while inducing pity.
The theme of marginalisation can be further explored with respect to the protagonists ' loss of identity and internal conflict. This investigation can lend to the understanding of the anguish of the marginalised on a more personal
Untouchable’s central character Bakha and Joothan’s narrator play a key role in communicating the emotions, thoughts and conflicts of a marginalised society. Their bitterness towards the subjugating higher classes along with their helplessness and constant urge yet failure to fight back allows the readers to understand the plight of the Dalits rather than just sympathise with them.
While Bakha is a victim of subjugation and is pushed deeper into the realms of submission by his father, Valmiki was encouraged to study and was made to stay away from his family’s menial jobs. His father believed in reform and wanted him to ‘change the caste’ . Yet the endings in the two works are quite the contrary while Mulk Raj Anand evokes a ray of hope in the young Bakha’s mind by offering him an array of solutions to untouchability Valmiki ends with the bitter truth …show more content…
However it was the detailed and personal aspect of Valmiki’s life as a ‘Chuhra’ which is heart-warming and instils deep emotions of shock and sympathy. His refection and portrayal of his cruel past leave an impact on the readers. The essay also brought to light how the obscure and unrealatable images used in Joothan contribute to distancing of the readers to the outcasts thus emphasising their segregation.
The means used by the two authors, though strikingly similar, has vastly different effects on the readers. While Anand’s interesting language and characterization of Bakha tend to elevate their affinity towards him, Valmiki’s judgemental and blunt writing, a result of his suffering, create images that disgust the reader, while inducing pity.
The theme of marginalisation can be further explored with respect to the protagonists ' loss of identity and internal conflict. This investigation can lend to the understanding of the anguish of the marginalised on a more personal