Abstract
Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami (1906-2001) popularly known as R. K. Narayan, an award winning novelist, essayist and storywriter is generally considered one of the greatest Indians writing in English. He shares this honour with Mulk Raj Anand and Raja Rao. D. S. Maini has observed in this regard: “Mulk Raj Anand, Raja Rao, and R. K. Narayan- brought the Indian novel to the point of ripeness”. But R. K. Narayan enjoys a place of rare distinction among these great writers too and it is partly because of the rare setting of his novels, his close association with the traditional Indian society, his simple language, his humour and irony, and his characterization, which is so varied and colourful. Many critics have praised R. K. Narayan for his literariness and for his aestheticism. V. Y. Kantak has observed, “…when we come to weigh Indian writing of fiction in English to date, Narayan with his penny whistle seems to have wrought more than most others with their highly pretentious and obstreperous brass” (21). R. K. Narayan has fourteen novels to his credit alongwith a large number of short stories. Narayan’s The Guide (1958) won him great fame and was widely acknowledged as a masterpiece by the world’s literary community. It also won him the much-coveted Sahitya Akademi Award in 1960.
Highlights
Narayan’s The Vendor of Sweets is largely considered and praised for its themethe theme of generation gap between the people of second and third generation, between traditionalism and modernism. This theme of generation gap is represented through Jagan and Mali, the two central characters of the novel
The characters of the novel are so unique and peculiar that they leave an indelible impression on the minds of the readers. Though these characters are very lifelike and ordinary as they seem to be found at every nook and corner of the Indian society, but they have something very unique and peculiar about them
The principles of dialectic were followed in ancient times in both western thought and eastern philosophy www.ijellh.com
Summary
Jagan is a second generation character and is an advocate of the traditions and customs of Malgudi society. A conflict takes place between the father and the son when Mali refuses to accept any restraint and follows his own wishes and desires which are largely anti-social and immoral. The principles of dialectic were followed in ancient times in both western thought and eastern philosophy www.ijellh.com
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