Linda Liu
May, 5 .2007
Draft One
Title
Living in a world which is rife with violence, blood and tears, we are becoming more and more immune to most of the tear—jerking tragedies. So it might not be so surprising that, conversely, the black humour we find in the story of “The Grass—Eaters” by Krishnan Varma is extremely successful in moving us. We get a glimpse of the life of the poorest in India through the humorous narration of Ajit Babu, whereas his life of struggling against various misfortunes was miserable. It is this sharp contrast that intrigues our thinking—why does Krishnan use a humors tone in such a pitiable story?
1.briefly examine the structure of the story. The first part can be regarded as an answer or an explanation from Ajit Babu to Misrilal. The second part is the narrator’s own portrait of his life later on the roof and as a whole. So in the circumstances of a casual conversation, the humourous tone manipulated here is quite unsurprising and understandable.
2.examine the reaction of the reader. “Misrilal looked exceedingly distressed.”(P56). “His cuboid wife was near to tears.”(P56). “How can you live in a pipe?” to some extend, their reaction prefigures we readers’ reaction.
Little sum up: on a whole, the arrangement of the story not only catches the readers’ attention and compels them to read but also adds some credibility from the very beginning.
Search deeper into the context.
3.The character of Ajit Babu is optimistic. “it was heaven, I felt I was God.”(P57) “I found it an intensely thrilling experience”(57) “ I need wear only one sandal…”(59), “we have found it far more comfortable than our previous homes.”(56), and etc.
Transition: But this is not the point I want to emphasize, because by doing so, we are in the danger of interpreting Ajit as a peculiar character that stands out among all the other Indians. In fact, it is the entire social background that the author intends to reflect on.
4.First look at some background information of Hinduism. “kissing, she holds, is a western practice,…and should be eschewed by all good Hindus.”(57). What is more, the Hindus tend to overlook the earthly enjoyment. So what seems to them as reasonable creates a sense of absurdity if we lack the proper understanding of their beliefs. “We have found it far more comfortable than our previous homes.”(56) “it was heaven, I felt I was God.”(P57). “it is not as bad as it sounds.”(58). “I don’t mind my handicap at all.”(59). Under the light of Hinduism beliefs, these details make more sense.
5.Then look at the background of the entire society. I will work on the later part of the story mainly. It reflects the overall situation in rural India. “we have far more light and ventilation than they…”(58). “he has a theory that if you …”(58) “in Calcutta the trams are always crowded … and set off crackers.” “a train burning, a man stabbing …”(59)
So we should not overlook the society that Ajit lives in, thus his presence should be regarded as a typical one that is molded under a peculiar society and the influence of Hinduism belief.
Little sum up: At last, it should be easier for us to understand why Ajit is so optimistic in depicting his “eventful life”. “But does it matter? We have survived them. And now we have no fear or anxieties.”(59) “We live very quietly, content to look at …”(59). They have survive the vicissitudes of life, so they “count their blessings” when compared with thousands or even more that fail to even maintain themselves.
Conclusion
May, 5 .2007
Draft One
Title
Living in a world which is rife with violence, blood and tears, we are becoming more and more immune to most of the tear—jerking tragedies. So it might not be so surprising that, conversely, the black humour we find in the story of “The Grass—Eaters” by Krishnan Varma is extremely successful in moving us. We get a glimpse of the life of the poorest in India through the humorous narration of Ajit Babu, whereas his life of struggling against various misfortunes was miserable. It is this sharp contrast that intrigues our thinking—why does Krishnan use a humors tone in such a pitiable story?
1.briefly examine the structure of the story. The first part can be regarded as an answer or an explanation from Ajit Babu to Misrilal. The second part is the narrator’s own portrait of his life later on the roof and as a whole. So in the circumstances of a casual conversation, the humourous tone manipulated here is quite unsurprising and understandable.
2.examine the reaction of the reader. “Misrilal looked exceedingly distressed.”(P56). “His cuboid wife was near to tears.”(P56). “How can you live in a pipe?” to some extend, their reaction prefigures we readers’ reaction.
Little sum up: on a whole, the arrangement of the story not only catches the readers’ attention and compels them to read but also adds some credibility from the very beginning.
Search deeper into the context.
3.The character of Ajit Babu is optimistic. “it was heaven, I felt I was God.”(P57) “I found it an intensely thrilling experience”(57) “ I need wear only one sandal…”(59), “we have found it far more comfortable than our previous homes.”(56), and etc.
Transition: But this is not the point I want to emphasize, because by doing so, we are in the danger of interpreting Ajit as a peculiar character that stands out among all the other Indians. In fact, it is the entire social background that the author intends to reflect on.
4.First look at some background information of Hinduism. “kissing, she holds, is a western practice,…and should be eschewed by all good Hindus.”(57). What is more, the Hindus tend to overlook the earthly enjoyment. So what seems to them as reasonable creates a sense of absurdity if we lack the proper understanding of their beliefs. “We have found it far more comfortable than our previous homes.”(56) “it was heaven, I felt I was God.”(P57). “it is not as bad as it sounds.”(58). “I don’t mind my handicap at all.”(59). Under the light of Hinduism beliefs, these details make more sense.
5.Then look at the background of the entire society. I will work on the later part of the story mainly. It reflects the overall situation in rural India. “we have far more light and ventilation than they…”(58). “he has a theory that if you …”(58) “in Calcutta the trams are always crowded … and set off crackers.” “a train burning, a man stabbing …”(59)
So we should not overlook the society that Ajit lives in, thus his presence should be regarded as a typical one that is molded under a peculiar society and the influence of Hinduism belief.
Little sum up: At last, it should be easier for us to understand why Ajit is so optimistic in depicting his “eventful life”. “But does it matter? We have survived them. And now we have no fear or anxieties.”(59) “We live very quietly, content to look at …”(59). They have survive the vicissitudes of life, so they “count their blessings” when compared with thousands or even more that fail to even maintain themselves.
Conclusion
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