House for Mr Biswas Notes

8/10/2019 House for Mr Biswas Notes

1/59

YORK NOTES

General Editors: Professor A.N. Jeffares ( University

of Stirling) & Professor Suheil Bushrui ( American

University of Beirut )

V.S. Naipaul

A HOUSE

FORMR BISWAS

Notes by Rosemary Pitt

( )BA D URHA MLecturer in English Language and Literature,

City and East London College


2/59

YORK PRESS3 Ol! Bro"#$o% Roa! 'o%!o% S *JH

PEARSON EDU+A,-ON '-M-,ED

E!i%ur/h 0a$e Harlo1

Esse2 +M JE U%i$e! Ki%/!o"

Asso4ia$e! 4o"#a%ies ra%4hes a%! re#rese%$a$i5es $hrou/hou$ $he 1orl!

6 'irairie !u 'ia% Publishers a%! Pearso% E!u4a$io% 'i"i$e! 7

All ri/h$s reser5e!. No #ar$ of $his #uli4a$io% "a8 e re#ro!u4e! s$ore! i% a

re$rie5al s8s$e" or $ra%s"i$$e! i% a%8 for" or 8 a%8 "ea%s ele4$ro%i4

"e4ha%i4al #ho$o4o#8i%/ re4or!i%/ or o$her1ise 1i$hou$ ei$her $he #rior

1ri$$e% #er"issio% of $he Pulishers or a li4e%4e #er"i$$i%/ res$ri4$e! 4o#8i%/

i% $he U%i$e! Ki%/!o" issue! 8 $he +o#8ri/h$ 'i4e%si%/ A/e%48 '$!.

* ,o$$e%ha" +our$ Roa! 'o%!o% 7P 'P

9irs$ #ulishe! 7*:

,hir! i"#ressio% 7*:*

-SBN ;:;


3/59

Contents

Pat !" Into#u$tion age

,he life a%! 1or>s of ?. S. Nai#aul

,he a4>/rou%! of $he %o5el :

A %o$e o% $he $e2$ 77

Pat %" Su&&aies 7

A /e%eral su""ar8 7

De$aile! su""aries 73

Pat '" Co&&enta( 37

,he a4hie5e"e%$ of $he %o5el 37

,he 4hara4$er of Mr Bis1as 37

S$8le a%! s$ru4$ure 3@

,he "i%or 4hara4$ers


4/59

,his #a/e has ee% lef$ i%$e%$io%all8 la%>C


5/59

Pat !

Into#u$tion

T-e li*e an# o/s o* V. S. Naipaul

?i!ia!har Sura#rasa! Nai#aul 1as or% i% 7*3 a$ +ha/ua%as i% 4e%$ral

,ri%i!a!. His /ra%!fa$her 1ho 4a"e fro" a 5illa/e i% U$$ar Pra!esh i%

%or$h;eas$ -%!ia 1as o%e of $he $housa%!s of i%!e%$ure! laourers 1ho

4a"e $o ,ri%i!a! fro" -%!ia i% $he las$ 4e%$ur8 $o 1or> o% $he su/ar #la%;

$a$io%s. ?. S. Nai#aul /re1 u# i% ,ri%i!a! as #ar$ of a lar/e fa"il8 1hi4h

i%4lu!e! o%e ro$her Shi5a (1ho is also a %o5elis$) fi5e sis$ers a%! fif$8

4ousi%s. ,he fa"il8 1ere Brah"i%s Hi%!us of $he hi/hes$ 4as$e a%!s$ri4$l8 or$ho!o2 a%! his 4hil!hoo! 1as s#e%$ i% a uasi;-%!ia% e%5iro%;

"e%$. ,he 4hil!re% ho1e5er 1ere e2#ose! $o o$her i%flue%4es as 1ell

$he8 1e%$ $o s4hools 1here $he8 "i2e! 1i$h %e/roes a%! Euro#ea%s a%!

s#o>e E%/lish ra$her $ha% Hi%!i as $heir firs$ la%/ua/e. Nai#aul

!es4ries hi"self as ha5i%/ ee% For% a% u%elie5erG.

-% 7*3: $he fa"il8 "o5e! $o $he 4a#i$al 4i$8 of ,ri%i!a! Por$ of

S#ai% a%! $he Hi%!u ri$uals e4a"e rarer. He !es4ries $his #erio!

i% $he o#e%i%/ 4ha#$er of his %o5el An Area of !ar"ness a%! 4o";

"e%$s F,he fa"il8 life $ha$ - ha5e ee% !es4rii%/ e/a% $o !issol5e1he% - 1as si2 or se5e% 1he% - 1as four$ee% i$ ha! 4ease! $o

e2is$G.I ,his !issolu$io% is !es4rie! also i% A #ouse for $r Bis%as

$hrou/h $he ,ulsi fa"il8. Nai#aulGs fa$her 1as a our%alis$ he fel$

5er8 4lose $o hi" $hou/h he !es4rie! hi" as a F!efea$e! "a%G a%!

he is $he #ro$o$8#e for Mr Bis1as. 'i>e A%a%! $he so% of Mr

Bis1as Nai#aul 1o% a% e2hii$io% $o uee%Gs Ro8al +olle/e i% Por$

of S#ai% a%! a$ ei/h$ee% a%o$her s4holarshi# fro" $here $o $he

U%i5ersi$8 of O2for!. He 1as i% E%/la%! 1he% his fa$her !ie!. Af$er

/ra!ua$i%/ 1i$h a% Ho%ours !e/ree i% E%/lish he 1or>e! as a

re5ie1er a%! i% 7* "arrie! a% E%/lish1o"a%. His firs$ %o5el &he$ystic $asseur 1as #ulishe! i% 7*=. He has s#e%$ "u4h of his

life $ra5elli%/ re$ur%i%/ al1a8s $o 'o%!o% e4ause Fi$ is a /oo!

#la4e for /e$$i%/ los$ i%G. He sees hi"self as a "a% 1i$hou$ roo$s he

%e5er fel$ a$ ho"e i% ,ri%i!a! a%! 1ri$es 4ri$i4all8 of i$ i% his oo>

of $ra5el essa8s &he $iddle Passage (7*@) a%! he 1as re#elle! 8 -%!ia

1he% he 5isi$e! i$ i% 7*@. -% a% i%$er5ie1 $ha$ 8ear he sai! $ha$ he ha!

IAn Area of !ar"ness Pe%/ui% Boo>s Har"o%!s1or$h 7*@


6/59

@ -%$ro!u4$io%

%e5er li5e! i% a%8 house for "ore $ha% $hree;a%!;a;half 8ears a fa4$

1hi4h is e4hoe! i% A #ouse for $r Bis%as a%! /i5es /rea$er for4e $o $he

la$$erGs sear4h for a #er"a%e%$ ho"e.

His earl8 fi4$io% L &he $ystic $asseur (7*=) &he Suffrage of Elvira

(7*:) a%! $iguel Street (7**) L is ase! o% his 4hil!hoo! i%

,ri%i!a!. All $hese $ales of ,ri%i!a! -%!ia%s are li/h$ sa$iri4al a%!

!e$a4he! i% $o%e. ,he8 1ere 1ell;re4ei5e! a%! $1o 1o% #ries u$ $he81ere also 4ri$i4ise! for $he 1a8 i% 1hi4h he 1as "a>i%/ fu% of his o1%

#eo#le. He re$alia$e! i% a% essa8 8 sa8i%/ $ha$ %o%e of $hese 4o""e%$s

1oul! ha5e ee% "a!e aou$ a 4o"i4 9re%4h or A"eri4a% %o5el or a%

E%/lish sa$iri4al 1ri$er su4h as E5el8% au/h (7*3L@@) a%! $ha$ $he8

arose ou$ of a% i/%ora%4e of life i% ,ri%i!a! 1i$hou$ 1hi4h Fi$ is eas8 for

"8 oo>s $o e !is"isse! as far4es a%! "8 4hara4$ers as e44e%$ri4sG.I

A #ouse for $r Bis%as ho1e5er 1hi4h he fi%ishe! 1ri$i%/ i% 7*@

sho1s a fuller i%5ol5e"e%$ 1i$h life i% ,ri%i!a! a%! $ra%s4e%!s a%8

li"i$a$io%s i"#ose! 8 4ul$ural arriers. His %e2$ 1or> &he $iddle

Passage (7*@) is a 1or> of %o%;fi4$io% 4o%sis$i%/ of F-"#ressio%s of9i5e So4ie$ies L Bri$ish 9re%4h a%! Du$4h L i% $he es$ -%!ies a%!

Sou$h A"eri4aG as $he su;$i$le $ells us. -$ is a $our of $he for"er sla5e

4olo%ies of Suri%a" Bri$ish 0uia%a Mar$i%iue Ja"ai4a a%! ,ri%i!a!.

,he oo> sho1s a% i"#a$ie%4e 1i$h 1ha$ Nai#aul sa1 as $he sualor

i%effi4ie%48 a%! i/o$r8 of $he #la4es he 5isi$e! 1i$h $heir Forro1e!G

4ul$ures. He 1as #raise! for $he lu4i!i$8 1i$h 1hi4h he !efi%e! $he #ro;

le"s of a #os$;4olo%ial so4ie$8 u$ $he oo> "a!e hi" a 4o%$ro5ersial

fi/ure. He 1as a44use! 8 $he 1ell;>%o1% es$ -%!ia% %o5elis$ 0eor/e

'a""i%/ (au$hor of 'n the Castle of $y S"in 7*3 a% au$oio/ra#hi;

4al a44ou%$ of /ro1i%/ u# i% Bara!os) of 1ri$i%/ F4as$ra$e! sa$ireG a%!usi%/ sa$ire as a refu/e for a 4olo%ial 1ri$er 1ho is Fasha"e! of his 4ul;

$ural a4>/rou%!G. 'a""i%/ a44use! hi" also of li"i$i%/ his "a$erial

$oo 4losel8 $o $he -%!ia% se/"e%$ of $he #o#ula$io%. Nai#aul $a>es u#

$his #oi%$ i% An Area of !ar"ness 1he% he a!"i$s $ha$ $he 4o%fro%$a;

$io% of !iffere%$ 4o""u%i$ies is i%4reasi%/l8 fu%!a"e%$al $o $he es$

-%!ia% e2#erie%4e u$ s$a$es $ha$ F$o see $he a$$e%ua$io% of $he 4ul$ure

of "8 4hil!hoo! as $he resul$ of a !ra"a$i4 4o%fro%$a$io% of o##ose!

1orl!s 1oul! e $o !is$or$ reali$8. ,o "e $he 1orl!s 1ere u2$a#ose! a%!

"u$uall8 e24lusi5eG. He also a%s1ere! $he for"er 4har/e 8 ar/ui%/ i%

&he $iddle Passage $ha$ 1ha$ $he for"less es$ -%!ia% so4ie$8 %ee!s is1ri$ers $o /i5e i$ sha#e i!e%$i$8 au$he%$i4 5alues a%! a se%se of !ire4;

$io% 1ri$ers 1ho are %o$ afrai! $o e"#lo8 $he /if$s of Fsu$le$8 a%! ru;

$ali$8G $ha$ are reuire!. He ar/ues $ha$ for"erl8 iro%8 a%! sa$ire i% 1ri$;

i%/ ha5e %o$ ee% a44e#$ale si%4e F$he i%se4ure 1ish $o e heroi4all8

IF'o%!o%G &he (vercro%ded Baracoon Pe%/ui% Boo>s Har"o%!s1or$h 7*=@ #. 77.

6'irairie Du 'ia% Publishers a%! Pearso% E!u4a$io% 'i"i$e!


7/59

-%$ro!u4$io% =

#or$ra8e!G a%! 4learl8 he has a4hie5e! "u4h as a 1ri$er i% 4o%fir"i%/

$he su44ess of $hese "o!es of 1ri$i%/ for #or$ra8i%/ so4ial 4o"e!8 as

1ell as #roi%/ !ee#er issues.

His %e2$ %o5el $r Stone and the )night*s Comanion (7*@3) is se$

i% 4o%$e"#orar8 'o%!o% 1i$h a% E%/lish #ro$a/o%is$ a%! is a ri4hl8

hu"orous s$or8 of a 4ler> a%! his fa%$asies. An Area of !ar"ness (7*@ is of /rea$ rele5a%4e $o A #ouse

for $r Bis%as+ &he $imic $en (7*@=) his si2$h %o5el is a% a44ou%$ of

a es$ -%!ia% #oli$i4al e2ile i% 'o%!o% 1ho "o5es e$1ee% his %a$i5e

isla%! of -saella (Nai#aulGs %a"e for ,ri%i!a!) a%! 'o%!o%. -$ is a #o1;

erful a44ou%$ of $he $1o so4ie$ies a%! of $he #role" of roo$less%ess

1hi4h is a 4e%$ral 4o%4er% of his 1or>. A lag on the 'sland a oo> of

shor$ s$ories 1as also #ulishe! i% 7*@= a%! 1as follo1e! 8 Nai#aulGs

firs$ a$$e"#$ a$ 1ri$i%/ his$or8 &he Loss of El !orado (7*@*). -$ is a%

i"a/i%a$i5e s$u!8 of F$1o "o"e%$s 1he% ,ri%i!a! 1as $ou4he! 8 his;$or8G. ,he firs$ is a $ale of /ree! $he ra4e e$1ee% Ralei/h a%! $he

S#a%iar! Berrio $o !is4o5er $he $reasure of El Dora!o $he se4o%! is $he

/o5er%orshi# of $he !es#o$i4 0e%eral Pi4$o% o$h e5e%$s su//es$e! $o

Nai#aul $he #au4i$8 of a 4olo%ial so4ie$8 F$ha$ 4oul! refer o%l8 $o ra4e

a%! "o%e8G.

His %e2$ %o5el 'n a ree State (7*=7) !eals 1i$h $hree "ai% e#iso!es

4o%4er%i%/ firs$l8 a% -%!ia% ser5a%$ 1ho is $ra%s#la%$e! fro" Bo"a8

$o ashi%/$o% se4o%!l8 $1o es$ -%!ia% ro$hers 1ho are "o5e! $o

'o%!o% a%! fi%all8 a% E%/lish "a% a%! 1o"a% 1ho $ra5el or flee

$hrou/h a% Afri4a% 4ou%$r8. -$ is a/ai% a fi%e s$u!8 of roo$less%ess a%! $he"ea%i%/ of free!o". A fur$her sele4$io% of essa8s e%$i$le! &he

(vercro%ded Baracoon 1as #ulishe! i% 7*= a%! has a "ore #oli$i4al

e"#hasis $ha% his o$her 1or>s 1i$h a% a%al8sis of ele4$io%s i% A"eri4a

a%! $he es$ -%!ies. His ei/h$h %o5el Guerrillas (7*=) re$ur%s $o $he

so4ie$8 of a s"all $ro#i4al isla%! for i$s #e%e$ra$i%/ a%! !ra"a$i4 a44ou%$

of #oli$i4al i%$ri/ue a%! ra4is" 1hile his "os$ re4e%$ %o5el A Bend in the

-iver(7*=*) is $he s$or8 of a% Eas$ -%!ia% li5i%/ i% a% isola$e! ou$#os$ o%

$he 4oas$ of Afri4a 1ho is 4au/h$ u# i% #oli$i4al $ur"oil a%! e5e%$uall8

has $o lea5e. Nai#aul has also #ulishe! $1o "ore oo>s of essa8s 'ndia:

A .ounded Civilisation (7*==) a% e2$e%!e! s$u!8 of -%!ia% a$$i$u!esa%! i% 7*: &he -eturn of Eva Peron 1hi4h 4o%$ai%s four #re5iousl8

#ulishe! essa8s o% Mi4hael a%! $he Bla4> Po1er Killi%/s i% ,ri%i!a!

a s$u!8 of Pero%Gs Ar/e%$i%a a% a44ou%$ of Mou$uGs are a%! a% essa8

o% Jose#h +o%ra!.



8/59

: -%$ro!u4$io%

T-e 0a$/,oun# o* t-e no1el

Tini#a#

,o!a8 Eas$ -%!ia%s (a $er" $ha$ !is$i%/uishes $he" fro" $1o o$her$8#es of -%!ia%s i% $he +ariea% isla%!s L $he A"eri4a% -%!ia%s a%!

$he es$ -%!ia%s) 4o"#rise us$ o5er o%e;$hir! of $he $o$al #o#ula$io%

of ,ri%i!a!. ,he8 are of Hi%!u or Mosle" elief. -%!ia 1as $he "ai%

o5erseas sour4e of 4hea# laour af$er $he aoli$io% of %e/ro sla5er8 i%

7:3 o% $he su/ar #la%$a$io%s $he s4e%es of $heir

sla5er8 a%! $here 1as a s$ea!8 flo1 of laour i%$o $he es$ -%!ies

e$1ee% aou$ 7:


9/59

-%$ro!u4$io% *

"o%e8;"i%!e! 4o""u%i$8 s#iri$uall8 s$a$i4 e4ause 4u$ off fro" i$s

roo$s i$s reli/io% re!u4e! $o ri$es 1i$hou$ #hiloso#h8 se$ i% a "a$erial;

is$ 4olo%ial so4ie$8 ...G. Al$hou/h $his essa8 1as 1ri$$e% i% 7*@ $he

5ie1s he e2#resses i% i$ are rele5a%$ $o a%! refle4$e! i% A #ouse for

$r Bis%as+ Nai#aul is 4o%4er%e! #ri"aril8 $o !es4rie 1ha$ he sees

ra$her $ha% $o ha%>er af$er $he #as$ i% a %os$al/i4 1a8 or $o offer

#a%a4eas for $he fu$ure. ,he rea!er of $he %o5el is "a!e $o se%se $hei%e5i$aili$8 of #ro/ress a%! $his is sho1% as ha5i%/ so"e #osi$i5e

as#e4$s. ,he flo1 of A"eri4a% !ollars i%$o $he isla%! 1i$h $he /ro1i%/

A"eri4a% #rese%4e $here !uri%/ $he Se4o%! orl! ar ri%/s #ros;

#eri$8 as 1ell as a /ro1i%/ s#iri$ of 4o"#e$i$io%. -$ e%ales #are%$s $o

se%! $heir 4hil!re% aroa! $o e e!u4a$e!. Mr Bis1as fears for his so%Gs

fu$ure if $he o8 !oes %o$ /e$ so"e >i%! of e!u4a$io% u$ his fears are

$ra%sfor"e! i%$o ho#e a%! o#$i"is" 1he% his so% /oes aroa! o% a

s4holarshi#. ,he e!u4a$io% s8s$e" i$self is 5ie1e! i% a% a"i5ale%$

1a8. -$ is o$h a #ro/ressi5e for4e a%! res#o%sile for $he !e4a8 of

Hi%!u $ra!i$io%. -$ is Mr Bis1asGs e!u4a$io% 1hi4h "a>es hi" $hi%>!iffere%$l8 fro" his illi$era$e ro$hers a%! ues$io% $he fa"il8 s$ru4$ure

i% 1hi4h he fi%!s hi"self us$ as i$ is O1a!Gs e!u4a$io%al su#eriori$8

$ha$ au$o"a$i4all8 se4ures his re4o/%i$io% as hea! of $he ,ulsi 4la%. ,he

s8s$e" of e!u4a$io% ho1e5er 1i$h i$s e"#hasis o% Euro#ea% $o#i4s is

sho1% as re"o$e fro" ,ri%i!a!. Mr Bis1as is $au/h$ aou$ oases a%!

i/loos o% his e%$r8 $o $he F%e1 1orl!G a$ s4hool i% Pa/o$es $o#i4s as

re"o5e! fro" his e2#erie%4e as $he 4o"i4 irrele5a%4e of $he assi/%;

"e%$s he is se%$ 8 $he E%/lish s4hool of our%alis". Si"ilarl8 A%a%!

4o"es $o see $he sa4re! $hrea! 4ere"o%8 "erel8 as a 4o%5e%ie%$ e24use

for ase%$i%/ hi"self fro" s4hool for he a%! his fa$her >%o1 $ha$ he4oul! %o$ #rese%$ a sha5e! hea! i% s4hool 1i$hou$ i%5i$i%/ ri!i4ule fro"

$he o$her 4hil!re% a%! $ea4hers. He is e%4oura/e! 8 Mr Bis1as $o

s#e%! his re$rea$ lear%i%/ s4hool %o$es a%! his #erfor"a%4e of $he u/a

a$ Shor$hills is a "o4>er8 L he !i5er$s hi"self 8 s$i4>i%/ flo1er s$e"s

u%!er $he /o!Gs 4hi% a%! 4a%%o$ $rea$ $he ri$uals seriousl8. ,his is $he

1orl! 1hi4h O1a! a%! his ro$her She>har ha! e%$ere! F1here e!u4a;

$io% 1as $he o%l8 #ro$e4$io%G.

,hese 4ul$ural 4ha%/es are refle4$e! also i% la%/ua/e Hi%!i is see% as

$he la%/ua/e of $he so4ie$8 i%$o 1hi4h Mr Bis1as is or% u$ E%/lish

e/i%s $o e use! o% #uli4 o44asio%s as for i%s$a%4e 1he% ,araa!!resses $he #ho$o/ra#her a$ Ra/huGs fu%eral a%! Hi%!i e4o"es $he

la%/ua/e of i%$i"a48. Mr Bis1as a%! Sha"a e/i% $heir "arria/e s#ea>;

i%/ i% E%/lish Ffor $here 1as as 8e$ li$$le frie%!shi# e$1ee% $he"G. -%

$he 4i$8 i$ 4a% e a Fse4re$G la%/ua/e as use! 8 $he 1i!o1s 1he% $he8

5isi$ Mrs ,ulsiGs house a%! $he Frea!ers a%! lear%ersG u%!ers$a%! Hi%!i



10/59

7 -%$ro!u4$io%

u$ 4a%%o$ s#ea> i$. Mr Bis1as hi"self uses E%/lish a$ Ha%u"a% House

Fe5e% 1he% $he o$her #erso% s#o>e Hi%!iG as a /es$ure of reellio% a%!

i%!e#e%!e%4e a%! 8 $he e%! of $he %o5el i$ is ,ri%i!a!ia% +reole

E%/lish 1hi4h hol!s s1a8.

Al$hou/h Nai#aul has #ro$es$e! a/ai%s$ $he i!ea $ha$ $he %o5el is F!o4;

u"e%$ar8G s$a$i%/ $ha$ Fha$ - 1oul! !o 1as $o 1ri$e a44or!i%/ $o "8

i"a/i%a$io% a%! $he% 4o%sul$ #eo#le o% li$$le i$e"s of i%4o%seue%$iali%for"a$io% $o le%! 5i5i!%ess a%! 5erisi"ili$u!e $o $he s$or8G $he %o5el

!oes re4or! so4ial 4ha%/e i% a 4o%4re$e a%! 4o%5i%4i%/ 1a8. '. hi$e

su""arises i$ %ea$l8I

8 $he e%! of $he %o5el a 1hole his$or8 has #asse! efore our e8es ....

Nai#aulC 4hro%i4les $he s$a/es i% $he loss of -%!ia $he shif$ fro" 4ou%;

$r8 $o $o1% fro" Hi%!i $o E%/lish fro" a #reo44u#a$io% 1i$h 9a$e $o

a #reo44u#a$io% 1i$h a"i$io% so $ha$ as 1e "o5e fro" $he 1orl! of

Ra/hu $o $he 1orl! of A%a%! 1e are !eali%/ %o$ o%l8 1i$h $he life ofa "a% u$ also 1i$h $he his$or8 of a 4ul$ure.

Hin#uis&

,he reli/io% of Hi%!uis" ori/i%a$e! a"o%/ $he Ar8a% $ries i% -%!ia.

Hi%!uis" is ase! 4hiefl8 o% $he 4as$e s8s$e" ra$her $ha% o% a s8s$e" of

eliefs or !o4$ri%es. ,here are fi5e "ai% 4as$es $he hi/hes$ of 1hi4h is

$he Brah"i% or #ries$l8 4as$e $o 1hi4h Mr Bis1as elo%/s. Me"ers of

$his 4as$e are $rea$e! 1i$h res#e4$ a%! $o e a Brah"i% is a si/% of /rea$s$a$us. ,his is see% i% $he %o5el 1here Mr Bis1as /oes as a o8 $o ,araGs

house a%! is Fres#e4$e! as a Brah"i% a%! #a"#ere!G. He is !resse! i% a

4lea% dhoti a%! /i5e% a /if$ of "o%e8 a%! 4lo$h. A/ai% a$ Pu%!i$

Jaira"Gs he $ra5els 1i$h hi" $o #erfor" $he "e4ha%i4al si!e of his

offi4es a%! Fi%5es$e! 1i$h $he sa4re! $hrea! a%! all $he o$her a!/es of

4as$eG is e5er81here F$he oe4$ of re/ar!G. ,he !u$ies of a Brah"i%

i%4lu!e $he #erfor"a%4e of u/a or 1orshi# 1hi4h for $he or$ho!o2

Hi%!u is 4e%$re! i% $he ho"e. -$ $a>es #la4e i% a roo" se$ asi!e for $his

#ur#ose a%! 4o%$ai%i%/ a shri%e 1i$h a% i"a/e of $he fa"il8Gs 4hose%

!ei$8 $o/e$her 1i$h o$her s8"ols of $he sa4re! a%! 5essels a%! i%s$ru;"e%$s of 1orshi# su4h as o1ls a%! la"#s. Househol! 1orshi# "a>es

use of fire for #urifi4a$io% (a s8"ol of $he su%) 1a$er also for #urifi4a;

$io% foo!;offeri%/s i%4e%se flo1ers a%! 4oloure! #o1!ers for or%a;

"e%$a$io%. -$ is 4arrie! ou$ a$ 4er$ai% fi2e! $i"es su%rise "i!!a8 a%!

su%se$. he% 1orshi##i%/ $he or$ho!o2 Hi%!u 1ill e !resse! i% $he $ra;

!i$io%al 1a8 1eari%/ $he sa4re! $hrea! a%! 4as$e or se4$ "ar>s

I'. hi$e 0+ S+ 1aiaul: A Critical 'ntroduction Ma4"illa% 'o%!o% 7*= #. ::.



11/59

-%$ro!u4$io% 77

o% $he forehea! a%! so"e$i"es $he ar"s a%! o$her #ar$s of $he o!8.

+er$ai% sa4ra"e%$s also $a>e #la4e a%! are usuall8 four i% %u"er

ir$h i%i$ia$io% "arria/e a%! !ea$h. ,he 4ere"o%8 of i%i$ia$io% #la8s

so"e #ar$ i% $he %o5el 1he% A%a%! !es#i$e his !is$as$e for reli/ious ri$;

ual e4o"es a$$ra4$e! 8 $his 4ere"o%8 1hi4h "os$ of his "ale 4ousi%s

ha5e e2#erie%4e!. -$ i%5ol5es ei%/ i%5es$e! 1i$h $he sa4re! $hrea! a%!

/oi%/ i%$o re$rea$ $o s$u!8 a%! lear% se4re$ 5erses. -$s "ai% a$$ra4$io% forA%a%! is $he sha5i%/ of $he hea!. He as>s for a #ri%$ of $he /o!!ess

'a>sh"i $o e hu%/ o% $he 1all of his roo" $o 1ho" he sa8s his

#ra8ers u$ $his 1orshi# soo% e%!s 1he% his "ai% "o$i5e for u%!er/o;

i%/ $he 4ere"o%8 L $o "iss s4hool L is $h1ar$e! 1he% Mr Bis1as

arra%/es for i$ $o $a>e #la4e !uri%/ $he lo%/ su""er holi!a8. ,he sa4ra;

"e%$ of !ea$h shoul! $a>e #la4e o% $he a%> of a sa4re! ri5er a%! fol;

lo1i%/ $he !ea$h $he 4or#se shoul! e 4arrie! $o a sa4re! s#o$ $o e

4re"a$e!. -% $he 4ase of Mr Bis1as $he 4re"a$io% $a>es #la4e o% $he

a%>s of a "u!!8 s$rea".

Hi%!uis" also fi/ures lar/el8 i% $he %o5el as for"i%/ #ar$ of MrBis1asGs 4a"#ai/% a/ai%s$ $he ,ulsis 1he% he oi%s a rea>a1a8

"o5e"e%$ of #ro$es$a%$ Hi%!u "issio%aries 1ho ha! 4o"e fro" -%!ia

a%! a!o#$e! $he a%4ie%$ %a"e of FAr8a%sG. ,he8 #rea4h $ha$ 4as$e is

u%i"#or$a%$ $ha$ Hi%!uis" shoul! a44e#$ 4o%5er$s $ha$ i!ols shoul!

e aolishe! a%! $ha$ 1o"e% shoul! e e!u4a$e! $hus F#rea4hi%/

a/ai%s$ all $he !o4$ri%es $he or$ho!o2 ,ulsis hel! !earG. Mr Bis1as is

i"#resse! 8 $he s#ee4hes of $he lea!er Pa%>a Rai a%! fi%!s hi"self

a/reei%/ 1i$h $he i!eas $ha$ i!ols 1ere a% i%sul$ $o $he hu"a% i%$elli;

/e%4e a%! $o 0o! a%! $ha$ a "a%Gs 4as$e shoul! e !e$er"i%e! o%l8 8

his a4$io%s a #oi%$ 1hi4h see"s $o e #ro5e! 8 his ro$her;i%;la1Ra"4ha%! 1hose 4lea% a%! 4o"for$ale hu$ Fi%!i4a$e! lo1%ess i% %o

1a8G. Pa%>a Rai is soo% !is4re!i$e! a%! his #la4e $a>e% 8

Shi5lo4ha% . a%! $he "o5e"e%$ see"s $o !isi%$e/ra$e a"i!s$ ar/u;BA"e%$s aou$ $he rela$i5e 5ir$ues of #ea4eful #ersuasio% or "ili$a%$ 4o%;

5ersio%. Ho1e5er Mr Bis1as 4o%$i%ues $o e i%flue%4e! 8 his Hi%!u

a4>/rou%! as 1e see 1he% for e2a"#le he re4i$es $he 1or!s FRa"a

Ra"aG as #ro$e4$io% !uri%/ $he s$or" a$ 0ree% ?ale a%! Hi%!uis" is

a 5i$al a%! i%$e/ral #ar$ of $he %o5el.

A note on t-e te2t

A #ouse for $r Bis%as 1as firs$ #ulishe! 8 A%!rQ Deu$s4h 'o%!o%

i% 7*@7. ,he Pe%/ui% #a#era4> e!i$io% Pe%/ui% Boo>s Har"o%!s;

1or$h 7*@* is referre! $o i% $hese No$es.



12/59

Pat %

Su&&aies

ofA HOUSE 9OR MR B-SAS

A ,eneal su&&a(

Mohu% Bis1as is a ,ri%i!a!ia% -%!ia% 1ho !ies a$ $he a/e of for$8;si2

i% a house i% Por$ of S#ai% 1here he has ee% li5i%/ 1i$h his 1ife a%!four 4hil!re%. He 1as or% i% a 4ou%$r8 5illa/e surrou%!e! 8 ill

o"e%s. His fa"il8 is s4a$$ere! af$er his fa$herGs !ea$h a%! he "o5es

1i$h his "o$her $o Pa/o$es. A$ s4hool he !is4o5ers a $ale%$ for le$$eri%/

a%! la$er e4o"es a si/%;1ri$er. -%i$iall8 ho1e5er he is se%$ 8 his au%$

,ara $o $he househol! of a #u%!i$ $o lear% $o e a Hi%!u #ries$ u$ helea5es i% !is/ra4e af$er ei/h$ "o%$hs a%! 1or>s i% a ru" sho# ru% 8

,araGs !ru%>e% ro$her;i%;la1. Af$er ei%/ 1ro%/full8 a44use! of s$eal;

i%/ he oi%s a for"er s4hoolfrie%! i% $he si/%;1ri$i%/ usi%ess i% $he

4ourse of 1hi4h he /oes $o Ha%u"a% House $he ho"e of $he ,ulsis. He

is $he% $ra##e! i%$o #ro"isi%/ $o "arr8 Sha"a $he si2$ee%;8ear;ol!!au/h$er of Mrs ,ulsi as he is of $he ri/h$ Hi%!u 4as$e. No !o1r8 is

offere! a%! he is e2#e4$e! $o oi% $he fa"il8 1or>for4e 8 1or>i%/ o%

$he la%! 1i$h $he o$her husa%!s. He i""e!ia$el8 reels u$ 1i$hou$

a%8 "o%e8 or #osi$io% of his o1% he fi%!s hi"self !e#e%!e%$ o% $he

,ulsi househol! fro" $he% u%$il shor$l8 efore his !ea$h. Af$er su44ess;full8 !isru#$i%/ $he s"oo$h ru%%i%/ of $he house Mr Bis1as is se%$ $o

a s"all rural 5illa/e ,he +hase $o a4$ as "a%a/er of a ,ulsi foo! sho#.

Duri%/ $he si2 8ears he s#e%!s $here 1i$h his /ro1i%/ fa"il8 $he sho#

4o%$i%uall8 loses "o%e8 a%! his fa"il8 s#e%! a% i%4reasi%/ a"ou%$ of

$i"e a$ Ha%u"a% House. 9i%all8 he oi%s $he" $here a%! is $he% se%$ $o0ree% ?ale $o a4$ as o5erseer for Mrs ,ulsiGs #o1erful ro$her;i%;la1.

He is 1holl8 u%sui$e! $o su4h 1or> a%! feels #erse4u$e! 8 $he laour;

ers u%!er hi".

He suffers a "e%$al rea>!o1% a%! has $o re$ur% $o Ha%u"a% House $o

4o%5ales4e af$er a s$or" !es$ro8s $he ra"sha4>le house he has uil$.9or4e! $o ear% his li5i%/ a/ai% he lea5es $he ,ulsis a%! /oes $o s$a8 1i$h

his sis$er a%! her husa%! i% Por$ of S#ai%. He fi%!s 1or> as a our%alis$

o% $he Sentinel %e1s#a#er a%! $his lea!s $o a re4o%4ilia$io% 1i$h $he

,ulsis. He /oes $o li5e 1i$h his fa"il8 a$ Mrs ,ulsiGs house i% $he 4i$8

1hi4h she shares 1i$h her 8ou%/er so% O1a! u%$il he is se%$ aroa! $os$u!8 "e!i4i%e.



13/59

Su""aries 73

Mr Bis1as $a>es a /ro1i%/ i%$eres$ i% $he e!u4a$io% of his so% A%a%!

a%! a 4lose rela$io%shi# !e5elo#s e$1ee% $he". Mea%1hile $he ,ulsis

"o5e $o a% es$a$e a$ Shor$hills a%! Mr Bis1as is #ersua!e! $o oi% $he".

,he ,ulsi fa"il8 e/i%s $o !isi%$e/ra$e u%!er %e1 so4ial a%! e4o%o"i4

#ressures a%! Mr Bis1as lea5es af$er $he house he uil!s $here is

!es$ro8e! 8 a fire. He re$ur%s $o Mrs ,ulsiGs 4ro1!e! house i% $he 4i$8

a%! re"ai%s $here u%$il he "o5es $o his o1% house i% Si>>i" S$ree$ af$era fier4e uarrel 1i$h Mrs ,ulsi a%! O1a!. His o a$ $he Sentinel has

4ha%/e! $o $ha$ of so4ial i%5es$i/a$or of FDeser5i%/ Des$i$u$esG 1hi4h

lea!s $o a %e1 lease of life 1he% he is /i5e% a /o5er%"e%$ #os$ i% a

So4ial elfare De#ar$"e%$. His ho#es ho1e5er i%4reasi%/l8 4e%$re o%

A%a%! 1ho 1i%s a% e2hii$io% $o $he #res$i/ious uee%Gs +olle/e i% $he

4i$8. ,he house i% Si>>i" S$ree$ lea!s Mr Bis1as i%$o hea58 !e$ es#e;

4iall8 as i$ is o5er;#ri4e! a%! i% %ee! of "aor re#airs u$ he is o5ero8e!

a$ #ossessi%/ his o1% house a%! la%!.

Af$er $he /o5er%"e%$ !e#ar$"e%$ is !isa%!e! he re$ur%s $o $he

Sentinel u%$il #u$ o% half;#a8 1he% he !e5elo#s hear$;$roule a%! ise5e%$uall8 !is"isse!. A%a%! is %o1 s$u!8i%/ a$ u%i5ersi$8 i% E%/la%!

a%! !oes %o$ re$ur% !uri%/ his fa$herGs ill%ess u$ his !au/h$er Sa5i

re$ur%s a%! /e$s a 1ell;#ai! o. Mr Bis1as $he% !ies su!!e%l8 a%!

re4ei5es a $ra!i$io%al Hi%!u 4re"a$io% af$er 1hi4h his 1ife a%! 4hil!re%

re$ur% $o $he e"#$8 house.

3etaile# su&&aies

Polo,ue

Mr Bis1as is !is"isse! fro" his o a$ $he Sentinel$e% 1ee>s efore his

!ea$h. Nei$her he %or his 1ife ha5e a%8 "o%e8 $o #a8 $he "or$/a/e o%$he house u$ he is 4o"for$e! 8 his 1ifeGs effor$s $o hel# hi" i%s$ea! of

re$ur%i%/ $o her fa"il8 a%! 8 $he 1o%!er a%! $riu"#h of ha5i%/

a4uire! his o1% house 1here he 4a% 1a%!er freel8 a%! feel se4ure. ,he

house 1as ou/h$ fro" a 4orru#$ soli4i$orGs 4ler> 1ho ha! 4o%4eale! i$s

sho!!i%ess a%! "a>eshif$ !esi/% fro" $he ea/er Mr Bis1as. As soo% as

he a%! his 1ife Sha"a (1ho ha! sho1% hos$ili$8 $o $he i!ea a%! ha!

refuse! $o loo> a$ $he house) "o5e i% $he8 !is4o5er all $he !efe4$s i% i$s

s$ru4$ure a%! la8ou$ u$ $he8 a!a#$ $o $hese ui4>l8 a%! i$ see"s $o Mr

Bis1as L o% his firs$ re$ur% fro" hos#i$al L a 1el4o"i%/ a%! rea!8;"a!e

1orl!.

,his i%$ro!u4$io% re#or$s $he !ea$h of $he %o5elGs "ai%+OMMEN,ARY4hara4$er Mr Bis1as $hus 1e >%o1 $ha$ $he "ai% o!8 of $he %o5el 1ill



14/59

7< Su""aries

$ra4e his life u# $o $his #oi%$ a%! 1hile $he ele"e%$ of sur#rise is $a>e%

a1a8 8 >%o1i%/ of $he !ea$h Nai#aul is free $o use a 5arie$8 of s$8lis;

$i4 !e5i4es su4h as flasha4> s4e%es !e#i4$i%/ e5e%$s #rior $o $he %arra;

$i5e a%! #re!i4$io% of fu$ure e5e%$s 1hi4h i%5ol5e us 4losel8 i% Mr

Bis1asGs life. e are also i%for"e! of ho1 "u4h $he house "a$$ers $o Mr

Bis1as as a s8"ol of his free!o" a%! i%!e#e%!e%4e.

NO,ES AND 0'OSSARY0i,4s-ot" a su44essful usi%ess "a%

t-e Meditations o* Ma$us Auelius" Mar4us Aurelius 1as Ro"a%E"#eror fro" 7@7 $o 7: he elie5e! i% $heAD AD#hiloso#h8 of S$o4is" 1hi4h #rea4he! $ha$ 5ir$ue is

$he ai" of life a%! $ha$ $he #assio%s a%! a##e$i$es

shoul! e ri/i!l8 su!ue!

3ese1in, 3estitutes" #eo#le li5i%/ 1i$hou$ $he asi4 %e4essi$ies a%!

!eser5i%/ su##or$una$$o&&o#ate#" $he fi%al 1or! of $he #rolo/ue is a% e4ho of

Sha>es#eareGs $ra/e!8 )ing Lear (---.


15/59

Su""aries 7

ha! urie! a/s of "o%e8 $here. She $a>es Mr Bis1as 1i$h her $o $he

$o1% of Pa/o$es 1here $he8 li5e as !e#e%!e%$ rela$io%s of ,ara i% a a4>

s$ree$. ,he $1o ro$hers are se%$ $o 9eli4i$8 $o 1or> o% $he su/ar es$a$es

a%! Mr Bis1as 1ho fi%!s hi"self i%4reasi%/l8 !is$a%$ fro" his "o$herfeels isola$e! a%! alo%e.

,he firs$ 1or!s s#o>e% i% $his 4ha#$er 1hi4h refer $o 9a$e+OMMEN,ARYa%! ho1 #eo#le 4a%%o$ fi/h$ i$ su""arise %ea$l8 $he a$$i$u!e of $he ol!er/e%era$io% of -%!ia% Hi%!us fro" 1hi4h Mr Bis1as !es4e%!s. He !iffers

ra!i4all8 fro" $he" ho1e5er i% $ha$ he a$$e"#$s $o !e$er"i%e $he 4ourse

of his life hi"self i% a% a4$i5e 1a8 !es#i$e all $he ill o"e%s a%! #es;

si"is" e2#resse! a$ his ir$h. ,he 5alue of ho"es a%! houses is also

e"#hasise! i% $he fi%al #ara/ra#h si%4e 1e are $ol! $ha$ Mr Bis1as is

%o1 lea5i%/ F$he o%l8 house $o 1hi4h he ha! so"e ri/h$G a%! 1ill e a

F1a%!ererG for $he %e2$ $hir$8;fi5e 8ears 1i$hou$ a house of his o1% a%!

his o%l8 fa"il8 1ill e $he ,ulsis 1i$h $heir Fe%/ulfi%/ 1orl!G.NO,ES AND 0'OSSARY

pun#it" a Hi%!u lear%e! i% $he Sa%s>ri$ la%/ua/e a%! $he

s4ie%4e la1s a%! reli/io% of -%!ia

al&ana$" a re/is$er of $he !a$es of $he 8ear i%4lu!i%/ #re!i4;$io%s aou$ $he fu$ure

&il/&ai#s ... 5o# Kis-na" Krish%a $he Hi%!u /o! of fire a%! li/h$

a44or!i%/ $o Hi%!u le/e%! he 1as a ra5e eau$i;

ful 8ou$h rou/h$ u# 8 4o1her!s a%! ha! lo5e;

affairs 1i$h $he "il>"ai!s

t-e S-i1a #an$e" Shi5a is $he $hir! !ei$8 i% $he Hi%!u $ri%i$8 re#re;se%$i%/ $he !es$ru4$i5e #ri%4i#le i% life u$ also a

res$ori%/ or re%o5a$i%/ #o1er also $he 0o! of

Da%4e

#-oti" loi%;4lo$h$aie# ei,-t" 1as 4o%si!ere! i%flue%$ial

sa0ots" 1oo!e% shoes

oti" a #a%4a>e

pi6uet" #i4>e$ a s$a>e or #e/

-i0is$us" a shru 1i$h lar/e re! or #i%> flo1ers

$ala0as-" $he shell of a /our! use! as a !ri%>i%/ 5essel or!o"es$i4 u$e%sil

-enna" a !8e

$-o$/ up" $o 1e!/e i% or!er $o #re5e%$ sli##i%/

e$7e&a" a s>i% !iseasemaharajin " $he 1ife of a mahara/a $he $i$le assu"e! 8 so"e

-%!ia% #ri%4es



16/59

7@ Su""aries

C-apte %" Be*oe t-e Tulsis

No $ra4es re"ai% of Mr Bis1asGs ir$h#la4e al$hou/h $he la%! his "o$h;

er o%4e o1%e! la$er 8iel!s oil a%! $he s1a"# re/io% e4o"es a /ar!e%

4i$8. E5e% his ir$h 4er$ifi4a$e has $o e i%5e%$e! a%! !ra1% u# 8 a

Musli" soli4i$or 9. . 0ha%8. A$ $he "issio% s4hool he is $au/h$ 8 'al

a 4o%5er$e! Hi%!u a%! lear%s "a%8 useless fa4$s. He efrie%!s Ale4

1ho sho4>s $he s4hool 8 $a>i%/ Do!!Gs Ki!%e8 Pills a%! #assi%/ lue

uri%e. ,he8 >ee# $heir ho"e li5es se4re$ #ar$l8 e4ause Mr Bis1as is %o$

ha##8 $here a%! s$ill 5ie1s i$ as a $e"#orar8 arra%/e"e%$. He feels

!e$a4he! fro" his ro$hers %o1 /ro1% "e% a%! o%l8 sees his sis$er

1he% $a>i%/ #ar$ i% a reli/ious 4ere"o%8 a$ his au%$Gs house 1here he isres#e4$e! as a Brah"i% a%! $rea$e! 1i$h ho%our. He also /oes $here $o

rea! $o his u%4le Ao!ha fro" F,ha$ Bo!8 of YoursG. Af$er si2 8ears Mr

Bis1as is $a>e% a1a8 fro" s4hool a%! /oes $o li5e 1i$h #u%!i$ Jaira"

1here he lear%s reli/ious 4ere"o%ies i%4lu!i%/ $he "or%i%/ #ra8er 4er;

e"o%8 or u/a+ ,1o e#iso!es !is4re!i$ hi" L o%e 1he% he s$eals $1o

a%a%as a%! $he o$her 1he% he !efiles $he sa4re! olea%!er $ree 1i$h his

soile! ha%!>er4hief. He re$ur%s $o his "o$her i% Pa/o$es a% i%4i!e%$ he

la$er ro"a%$i4ises i% a #oe" u$ he is soo% se%$ $o $he sor!i! ru" sho#

1here he reels a/ai%s$ u%4le Bha%!a$Gs "ea% a%! sus#i4ious %a$ure 8

s#i$$i%/ i% $he ru" 1he% he o$$les i$. He lea5es (af$er a 5iole%$ s4e%e1here he is a44use! of s$eali%/ "o%e8) !e$er"i%e! $o es$alish his i%!e;

#e%!e%4e a%! /e$ his o1% o a%! house. Duri%/ his hu%$ for a o he 5is;

i$s Dehu$i a%! her husa%! Ra"4ha%! ,araGs !is/ra4e! 8ar! o8

al$hou/h he feels 5er8 se#ara$e fro" his sis$er he is i"#resse! $ha$ $heir

hu$ is 4lea% a%! 4o"for$ale 1i$h %o si/%s of Ra"4ha%!Gs lo1er 4as$e. A

"ee$i%/ 1i$h Ale4 $he% lea!s $o his o as si/%;1ri$er. He es4a#es i%$o

%o5els i% sear4h of ro"a%4e a%! i!e%$ifies 1i$h $he heroes of Sa"uel

S"iles. 9i%all8 his sear4h $a>es hi" $o Ha%u"a% House i% Ar1a4as.

NO,ES AND 0'OSSARYRalei,-8s #ea&" Sir al$er Ralei/h ( c+7L7@7:) $he E%/lish

e2#lorer sol!ier a%! #oe$ sear4he! i% 5ai% for /ol!

i% Sou$h A"eri4a

oil #ei$/s" $he s$ru4$ures uil$ o5er oil 1ellsPes0(teianis&" Pro$es$a%$ +hris$ia% reli/io% $ra4i%/ i$s ori/i% $o

+al5i%is"

a**i#a1it" a 5olu%$ar8 affir"a$io% s1or% efore a #erso% ual;

ifie! $o a!"i%is$er a% oa$h

ta&ain# o#" a s$i4> "a!e fro" $he ra%4h of a $a"ari%! $ree

0o#i$e" a $8#e of 5es$



17/59

Su""aries 7=

le,4o*4&utton slee1es" slee5es i% $he sha#e of a le/ of "u$$o%

#u,stoe" a 4he"is$Gs sho# of$e% selli%/ a 5arie$8 of i$e"s i%

a!!i$io% $o $he 4he"is$Gs $ra!i$io%al 1ares

Bells Standard Elocutionist " a "a%ual o% elo4u$io% #ra4$i4e firs$ #u;

lishe! 7:@ 1i$h a lar/e 4olle4$io% of #ie4es of

#oe$r8 a%! #rose for re4i$a$io%

Ramayana " a% a%4ie%$ -%!ia% e#i4 #oe" 1hi4h $ells of $hee2#loi$s of $he /o! Ra"a

sa$e# t-ea#" $he uavita 1or% 8 u##er;4as$e "e"ers a44or!;

i%/ $o Hi%!u 4us$o" i$ is a 4o$$o% $hrea! of $hree

s$ra%!s 1hi4h a /uru /i5es $o a o8 a$ his i%i$ia$io%

4ere"o%8 e$1ee% $he a/es of ei/h$ a%! $1el5e

tulsi" a s#e4ies of $he her asil sa4re! $o $he Hi%!u /o!

?ish%u

0i$a0onate o* so#a" a #o1!er use! $o 4ure i%!i/es$io%

puja" Hi%!u 4ere"o%8 of 1orshi#

Sans/it" $he a%4ie%$ la%/ua/e of $he Hi%!u sa4re! 1ri$i%/s&ai,ol#s9 7innias9 olean#es" flo1ers 1hi4h /ro1 lo4all8

alle,o(" a %arra$i5e i% 1hi4h $he i!eas a%! 4hara4$ers #or;

$ra8e! also refer $o 1i!er as$ra4$ 4o%4e#$s a%

e2$e%!e! "e$a#hor

#( ,oo#s s-op" sho# selli%/ 4lo$hes !ra#er8 a%! so for$h as !is$i%;

/uishe! fro" a /ro4er8

o$/ $a/es" har! u%s 4o%$ai%i%/ 4urra%$s

in to tos" i% a fe1 "o"e%$s

Hall Caine" Sir ,ho"as He%r8 Hall +ai%e (7:3L7*37) a%

E%/lish %o5elis$ 1ho 1ro$e &he $an2man (7:*%o1% aou$

$he". Mr Bis1as #asses a %o$e $o Sha"a a%! is 4alle! $o a% i%$er5ie1

1i$h her "o$her a%! u%4le Se$h. He is fou%! $o e a sui$ale husa%!a%! sur#rises hi"self 8 a/reei%/ $o "arr8 Sha"a. Af$er $he 4ere"o;

%8 he e/i%s $o $hi%> of es4a#e he is a##alle! a$ $he hierar4hi4al

or/a%isa$io% of $he house 1here $he !au/h$ersG husa%!sG %a"es are



18/59

7: Su""aries

for/o$$e% a%! $he8 are e2#e4$e! $o e4o"e si"#l8 ,ulsis. He reels a%!

re$ur%s $o Pa/o$es. Here ho1e5er he fi%!s $ha$ he has a4hie5e! %e1

s$a$us 1i$h his rela$io%s a%! s$ar$s $o a44e#$ his role a%! soo% re$ur%s

$o $he ,ulsi house $o fi%! $ha$ he is see% $here %o1 as $rouleso"e !is;

lo8al a%! u%$rus$1or$h8. His i%5e4$i5e a/ai%s$ $he ,ulsis #ar$i4ularl8

$he Fli$$le /o!sG !e5elo#s i%$o a 4a"#ai/% a/ai%s$ $he". He e4o"es

i%5ol5e! 1i$h a rea>a1a8 Hi%!u "o5e"e%$ a%! sa$irises $he ,ulsis forei%/ false Hi%!us 8 se%!i%/ $heir so%s $o a Ro"a% +a$holi4 4olle/e.

,he 4o%fro%$a$io% 4o"es $o a hea! 1he% Mr Bis1as refuses $he offer;

i%/ a$ $he u/a a%! $he% s#ills a #la$eful of foo! o% Sha"aGs ro$her

O1a!. He is a$$a4>e! 8 her ro$her;i%;la1 0o5i%! a%! $he% or!ere!

8 Se$h $o lea5e.

NO,ES AND 0'OSSARY&on/e(4,o# Hanu&an" a 4hara4$er i% $he -amayana 1orshi##e! as a

!ei$8 i% -%!iat-e Mutin(" a risi%/ (7:3=L*) a"o%/ -%!ia% re/i"e%$s i% Bri$ish

ser5i4e i% %or$h a%! 4e%$ral -%!ia

Pun$-" $he fa"ous #u##e$ of Pu%4h a%! Ju!8 sho1s

po,nat-ous" 1i$h #roe4$i%/ a1s1o,ue" fashio%ale su44ess

0lu$-es" ol!;fashio%e! lo1 oo$s

topee" a su%;ha$

$eole" a !es4e%!a%$ of Euro#ea% se$$lers i% $he es$ -%!ies

&an,o" a $ro#i4al frui$

a eal ,u&4pot" a !iffi4ul$ si$ua$io%0ain4*ee#in, &eals ... *is-" fish has a hi/h #ro$ei% 4o%$e%$

-ats-on" s"elli%/ sal$s

5ini&ent" a liui! #re#ara$io% for rui%/ o% ruises or sores

0u**oon" a 4o"i4 fi/ure or foolBA 55B" !e/rees of a$4helor of ar$s a4helor of la1s

spouses" husa%!s or 1i5es

$at4in40a," a% arra%/e! "arria/e

a epu0li$" a 4ou%$r8 1i$hou$ a "o%ar4h or asolu$e ruler

a sepent" a e$ra8er

Discourses o* Epi$tetus" E#i4$e$us ( L73) 1as a 0ree> s$oi4AD#hiloso#her

#oo#lin," !ra1i%/ fi/ures i% a 4asual "a%%er

sal&on onl( on :oo# Fi#a(" i% i"i$a$io% of $he Ro"a% +a$holi4 4us;

$o"a *la&0eau" a $or4h



19/59

Su""aries 7*

C-apte )" T-e C-ase

Mr Bis1as "o5es $o $his isola$e! 5illa/e $o "a%a/e a s"all foo! sho# a

5e%$ure 1hi4h is !es$i%e! $o fail fro" $he e/i%%i%/ as $here is a lar/e

%u"er of su4h sho#s. ,o Mr Bis1as his s$a8 $here see"s al1a8s F$e";

#orar8 a%! %o$ ui$e realG a #re#ara$io% for real life else1here. ,he sho#

is ,ulsi #ro#er$8 $he house is lesse! 8 ro$her;i%;la1 Hari a$ Sha"aGs

i%sis$e%4e. E5e% his !au/h$er Sa5i is %a"e! 8 Se$h a%! Hari a%! is

see% as a ,ulsi. ,he !e4li%e of $he usi%ess is fur$here! 8 Mr Bis1asGs

a$$e"#$ $hrou/h $he 4orru#$ la18er Seeara% $o re/ai% los$ 4re!i$. He

hi"self /e$s i%$o !e$ as a resul$. He fi%!s he has a/e! !uri%/ $hese si2

8ears of ore!o" a%! fu$ili$8 u$ he re"ai%s o#$i"is$i4 $ha$ Fso"e %oler#ur#ose a1ai$e! hi"G a%! 4o%soles hi"self 1i$h reli/io% a%! #hiloso;

#h8 #ai%$i%/ forei/% la%!s4a#es a%! i%!ul/i%/ i% e44e%$ri4 hai$s. A so%

is or% a%! his fa"il8 s#e%! "ore $i"e a1a8 a$ Ha%u"a% House. He

1i%s a44e#$a%4e $here as a #erso% s>ille! i% 1i$ a%! ar/u"e%$ a%! 5ie1s

i$ as a sa%4$uar8 fro" $he i"#erso%al ou$er 1orl!. A$ $he sa"e $i"e he

rese%$s i$s hol! o5er his fa"il8 a%! 1he% Sha"a !e4lares she 1a%$s $o

re$ur% $here for /oo! $he8 uarrel freue%$l8 u%$il he hi$s her. He !oes

%o$ see her u%$il $heir $hir! 4hil! is or% 1he% he $oo lea5es ,he +hase

a%! oi%s her a$ Ha%u"a% House s$a8i%/ $here u%$il he is /i5e% 1or> o%

$he es$a$e a$ 0ree% ?ale.

,his 4ha#$er hi/hli/h$s Mr Bis1asGs /ro1i%/ fear of $he+OMMEN,ARYfu$ure as a la%>%ess a%! a% e"#$8 s#a4e a 5oi! i%$o 1hi4h he is falli%/

1hi4h !e5elo#s i%$o $he rea>!o1% a$ 0ree% ?ale. ,he fear is also li%>e!1i$h $he re4urri%/ i"a/e of $he o8 s$a%!i%/ ou$si!e a lo%el8 4ou%$r8 hu$

a$ e5e%i%/ 1hi4h he ha! see% 8ears earlier. -% s#i$e of $his feeli%/ of

e"#$i%ess ho1e5er $he #erio! a$ ,he +hase is also a $i"e of a4uiri%/

#ossessio%s a%! lea5i%/ "ar>s of hai$a$io%.

NO,ES AND 0'OSSARY/eosene" oil use! for ur%i%/ i% la"#s

Ma-aa;a- o* Baa$/poe" a ri4h -%!ia% #ri%4e

Wo/&en8s Co&pensation A$t" a la1 8 1hi4h 1or>"e% 1oul! e

#ai! e2$ra "o%e8 for !a%/erous 1or>

Bonne Espean$e" (rench) hi/h ho#est-e $allin, na&e" %a"e 8 1hi4h she 1oul! %or"all8 e a!!resse!

Hin#us ... oul#n8t /eep pi,s" #i/s are 4o%si!ere! u%4lea% 8 Hi%!usteles$ope#" 4o"#resse! "a!e s"aller

C(#a2" a !ri%> "a!e fro" a##les

poui" a s$ur!8 4ree#er 1i$h a $hi4> $raili%/ s$e" of$e%

use! as a #o$ s4ourer



20/59

Su""aries

Ale2an#e" #ossil8 Ale2a%!er $he 0rea$ (3@L33 ) 1hoB+a4hie5e! $he e2#a%sio% of 0ree> 4i5ilisa$io% $o $he

eas$

Cani1al" a%%ual 4elera$io% 1i$h !a%4e a%! "usi4

i$ono$las&" a$$a4> o% es$alishe! o#i%io%s

ieli,iosit(" +hris$"as is a +hris$ia% fes$i5al a%! is %o$ $herefore

usuall8 4elera$e! 8 Hi%!uscheelum " #i#e

a #ose o* li$/s" a ea$i%/

*e0i*u,es" "e!i4i%es $o re!u4e fe5er

C-apte +" :een Vale

Mr Bis1as "o5es i%$o a s"all roo" i% $he arra4>s i% $he !a"# a%!

sha!o1e! 5ale. Bei%/ lar/el8 i/%ora%$ of su/ar 4a%e a%! es$a$e 1or> he

is s4or%e! 8 $he laourers 1ho fear o%l8 Se$h. He 1ishes $o "o5e i%$ohis o1% house u$ Se$hGs #ro"ises $o uil! hi" o%e are %e5er 4arrie!

ou$. His frus$ra$io% a$ $he sor!i! surrou%!i%/s a%! fear of $he 1or>ers are

e2#resse! a$ firs$ i% ause of $he ,ulsis $o Sha"a 1ho a/ai% re$rea$s $oHa%u"a% House a%! $he% i% soli$ar8 #erio!s i% his roo". Shor$l8 af$er

+hris$"as he 5isi$s his 4hil!re% $a>i%/ a lar/e !ollGs house $o Sa5i 1hi4h

is suseue%$l8 !es$ro8e! 8 Sha"a e4ause of $he !isru#$io% a%! eal;

ous8 i$ arouses.

He $a>es Sa5i $o li5e 1i$h hi" for a 1ee> $o F4lai"G her his 1ife

re$ur%s riefl8 u$ e4o"es #re/%a%$ a/ai% a%! he is lef$ esse%$iall8

alo%e. -% a% a$$e"#$ F$o arres$ his !es4e%$ i%$o $he 5oi!G Mr Bis1ase"#lo8s a% i%4o"#e$e%$ 4ar#e%$er $o uil! a house !es#i$e ha5i%/ li$$le

"o%e8 $o fi%a%4e i$. He e4o"es i%4reasi%/l8 !is$ure! a%! res$less a%!

fi%!s $he oe4$s i% his roo" $hrea$e%i%/ as 1ell as $he #eo#le he e%4ou%;$ers. Duri%/ a 5isi$ 8 his fa"il8 he a/ai% hi$s Sha"a 1ho is #re/%a%$

sa8i%/ $ha$ she a%! $he ,ulsis are $r8i%/ $o >ill hi". She lea5es u$ his

so% A%a%! as>s $o s$a8. ,he8 "o5e $o $he o%e fi%ishe! roo" of $he

house 1here $he >illi%/ of Mr Bis1asGs !o/ is follo1e! 8 a fier4e s$or"

a%! $he 4li"a2 of Mr Bis1asGs fears $ha$ F$he8G are 4o"i%/ $o !es$ro8

hi". ,he house i$self is s$ru4> 8 li/h$%i%/.

NO,ES AND 0'OSSARYNot-u&0elan#" a 4ou%$8 i% %or$h;eas$ E%/la%!

e&poiu&" a lar/e sho#

la2l(" %o$ s$ri4$l8 or$ho!o2

felo-de-se" self;i%fli4$e! "ur!er

*o0" #o4>e$ for hol!i%/ a 1a$4h0oe" sha!8 re$rea$



21/59

Su""aries 7

pun$-" a #au%4h s$o"a4h ul/e

Sanato,en" a 5i$a"i% $o%i4 !ri%>

eup-e&is&" a 1a8 of e2#ressi%/ so"e$hi%/ offe%si5e i% a% i%!i;

re4$ a%! sof$e%e! "a%%er

puss4puss" "ali4ious /ossi#

,al1ani7e" iro% 4oa$e! 1i$h i%4

#o$/" re!u4eTa7an" $he hero of a series of #o#ular s$ories 8 E!/ar Ri4e

Burrou/hs (7:=L7*) ,ara% is a #ar$i4ularl8

s$ro%/ a%! a/ile "a% lea!i%/ a #ri"i$i5e life i% $he

u%/le a%! $he sue4$ of "a%8 fa%$as$i4 a!5e%$ures

The unchbac! of Notre Dame " #o#ular %o5el (7:37) 8 $he 9re%4h

1ri$er ?i4$or Hu/o (7:L:). ,he "ai% 4hara4$ers

are Es"eral!a a%! uasi"o!o $he hu%4ha4>

t-e oo# as $ue#" $he 1oo! ha! ee% $rea$e! or seaso%e! $o #re5e%$

shri%>i%/

Coppeni$/us an# :alil(o" +o#er%i4us (7 "a!e 1i$h

ho$ "il> a%! 1hi4h is su##ose! $o i%!u4e slee#

t-au&atu,e" 1or>er of "ira4les

aloe" a #la%$ use! as a !ru/

chamar4$aste4t(pe" a lo1;or% #erso%



22/59

Su""aries

PAR,

C-apte !" =A&a7in, S$enes8

Mr Bis1as $a>es a us $o Por$ of S#ai% 1here he s$a8s for a $i"e 1i$h

his sis$er a%! her husa%!. He feels s$i"ula$e! a%! e24i$e! 8 $he 4i$8u$ 1earies of his free!o" a%! $he s#as"s of fear re$ur%. Af$er a%

aor$i5e 5isi$ $o a "e!i4al s#e4ialis$ he re4o/%ises $ha$ he has $o a44e#$

$he #as$ as a 5i$al #ar$ of hi"self a%! $his res$ores $he F1hole%essG ofhis "i%!. He also re4o/%ises $ha$ $he s#as"s of fear o% seei%/ #eo#le

1ere 4ause! 8 re/re$ e%58 a%! !es#air ra$her $ha% fear. He a4$s !e4i;

si5el8 a%! /ai%s a o 1ri$i%/ o% $he Sentinel %e1s#a#er u%!er Mr

Bur%e$$ 1here his $ale%$ for fa%$as8 a%! fa4e$ious hu"orous 1ri$i%/

/ai%s e2#ressio%. As a shi##i%/ re#or$er he feels i% 4o%$a4$ 1i$h !iffer;

e%$ #ar$s of $he 1orl!. He is reu%i$e! 1i$h his fa"il8 a%! sees his four$h

4hil! a%! as $he 4li"a2 of his 4urre%$ /oo! lu4> is /i5e% roo"s i% Mrs,ulsiGs house i% Por$ of S#ai%. His frie%!shi# 1i$h O1a! !e5elo#s a%!

he es$alishes a 4loser a%! "ore !is4i#li%e! rela$io%shi# 1i$h his 4hil;

!re% i%5ol5i%/ hi"self also i% $heir e!u4a$io%. He $a>es a shor$;li5e!1ri$i%/ 4ourse fro" 'o%!o% o% our%alis" a%! i%5e%$s s$ories 1i$h a

fa%$as8 heroi%e e%$i$le! FEs4a#eG. He #la%$s rose;ushes i% $he /ar!e%

a%! e/i%s $o $hi%> of $he house as his o1%. ,his or!er is !is$ure! 8

%e1s of O1a! ei%/ se%$ $o E%/la%! $o s$u!8 "e!i4i%e a%! A%a%!Gs

%ear;!ro1%i%/ a$ $he !o4>s.

,he firs$ "a4are s$ories Mr Bis1as 1ri$es for $he+OMMEN,ARY

Sentinel refle4$ his /uil$ a%! a%2ie$8 aou$ lea5i%/ his fa"il8 a%! also hisfeeli%/s of i%se4uri$8 a%! a%2ie$8 are /i5e% e2#ressio% i% $he re#or$ of $he

S4arle$ Pi"#er%el (his assu"e! %a"e as he $ours $he isla%!) s#e%!i%/ $he

%i/h$ i% a $ree.

NO,ES AND 0'OSSARY=A&a7in, S$enes8" $his #hrase 4o"es fro" o%e of $he %e1s#a#ers i%

$he arra4>s roo" a$ 0ree% ?ale

0ain *a," "e%$al e2haus$io%

eli#e#" o"i$$i%/ s8llales i% 1or!s

Tom Sa"yer and uc!leberry #inn " #o#ular a!5e%$ure %o5els 8 $he

A"eri4a% au$hor Mar> ,1ai% (#e% %a"e of Sa"uel

+le"e%s 7:3L7*7)

in e$tremis " a$ $he #oi%$ of !ea$h

Bonn( Ba0( Co&petition" a 4o%$es$ $o fi%! $he "os$ a$$ra4$i5e a8

p-oto,ap-s o* A#ol* Hitle" $his !a$es $his #erio! i% $he %o5el as $he

7*3s 1i$h $he e/i%%i%/s of Hi$lerGs rise $o #o1er

i% Nai 0er"a%8



23/59

Su""aries 3

S$alet Pi&penel" $a>e% fro" $he ro"a%$i4 %o5el of $ha$ $i$le (7*)

8 Baro%ess Or48 (7:@L7*e!. ,he %e1 e!i;

$orial #oli48 !e"a%!s a s$ri4$ a!here%4e $o fa4$ 1hi4h Mr Bis1as fi%!s

s$erile a%! u%re1ar!i%/. He fears for his o also se%si%/ $ha$ his 1or>is "e!io4re. Pri4es rise 1i$h $he i"#a4$ of $he 1ar a%! $he uali$8 of

foo! !e4li%es. ,he uarrels 1i$h Sha"a a%! his se%se of ei%/



24/59

< Su""aries

$ra##e! i%$e%sif8 a%! $he se%se of e2#e4$a$io% he ha! of $he 4i$8 a%! his

life $here !isa##ears. A%a%!Gs life of s$u!8 i% $he e2hii$io% 4lass is also

$a2i%/. ,he !es$ru4$io% of $he rose /ar!e% 8 Se$h $o #ro5i!e s#a4e for

his lorries #ro5o>es a 5iole%$ s4e%e i% 1hi4h Mr Bis1as !a"a/es so"e

of $he fur%i$ure i% $he house.

NO,ES AND 0'OSSARYSpain" a refere%4e $o $he S#a%ish +i5il ar (7*3@L*) i%

1hi4h 0e%eral 9ra%4o a%! $he Ri/h$ i%/ fou/h$

a/ai%s$ $he Re#uli4a%sMBE9 OBE9 CBE" Me"er Or!er a%! +o""a%!er of $he Bri$ish

E"#ire !e4ora$io%s a1ar!e! 8 $he Ki%/ or uee%

of E%/la%!

a $apitalist a," a %e1s#a#er 1hi4h has #rofi$ as i$s 4hief ai"

sell ... li/e -ot $a/es" sell ui4>l8 a%! su44essfull8

3i$/ens" +harles Di4>e%s (7:7L=) fa"ous E%/lish %o5el;is$ %o$e! i% #ar$i4ular for his 4o"#assio%a$e #or;

$ra8als of $he 4o%!i$io%s of $he #oor

t-e sa$/" losi%/ his o

5a&08s Tales from Sha!espeare " +harles 'a" (7==L7:3es#eareGs #la8s for

4hil!re%

5a/s-&i" Hi%!u /o!!ess of eau$8 1eal$h a%! #leasure 1ho

a##ears i% $he -amayana

ra!shas" e5il s#iri$s of Hi%!u le/e%! 1ho hau%$ 4e"e$eries

a%! !e5our hu"a% ei%/s;a$/asses" fools

C-apte '" T-e S-ot-ills A#1entue

,he ,ulsis lea5e Ar1a4as for a %e1 es$a$e i% $he "ou%$ai%s %or$h;eas$

of Por$ of S#ai%. Ha%u"a% House is full of $al> of $he /lories of $hees$a$e 1i$h i$s lush la%!s4a#e a%! Sha"a 1a%$s $o e #ar$ of $he a!5e%;

$ure. Mr Bis1as 4o%se%$s $o "o5e $here af$er he 5isi$s i$ 1i$h Mrs ,ulsi

a%! is a$$ra4$e! 8 $he i!ea of uil!i%/ his o1% house $here a%! li5i%/

4hea#l8. Shor$hills re#rese%$s for hi" a% a!5e%$ure a% i%$erlu!e a%! he

re"ai%s !e$a4he! fro" i$s !e4li%i%/ for$u%es si%4e his o /i5es hi"i%!e#e%!e%4e a%! he is ale $o #lu%!er $he la%! a%! e2#loi$ $he #hilos;

o#h8 of Fe5er8 "a% for hi"selfG. 9or $he 4hil!re% i$ "ea%s a %i/h$"are

e2is$e%4e 1i$h $he #role"s of $ra5el $o s4hool a%! shor$a/es of foo!.

,he !ea$h of Hari is follo1e! 8 $ha$ of Pa!"a a%! i$ see"s $ha$ $ha$

fa"il8 has los$ i$s 4ohesi5e #o1er of 5ir$ue. Mr Bis1as !e4i!es $o uil!his o1% house a%! 1i$h!ra1 !es#i$e $he isola$io% of $he si$e. He i%5i$es



25/59

Su""aries

his "o$her for a 5isi$ a%! she hel#s $o 4lear $he /rou%! for $he firi%/.

-$ is $his e5e%$ 1hi4h lea!s $o $he !es$ru4$io% of Mr Bis1asGs $hir!

house 8 fire. His ri5alr8 1i$h a%o$her ro$her;i%;la1 a% a"i$ious

e2$re#re%eur e/i%s a$ Shor$hills. Mr Bis1as 4alls hi" F. +. ,u$$leG

$his ei%/ $he %a"e of $he au$hor of his lar/e 4olle4$io% of oo>s

laelle! 8 Mr Bis1as as F$rashG. ,heir roo"s are o##osi$e $o ea4h

o$her.

NO,ES AND 0'OSSARY=T-e E&peo8s Ne Clot-es8" $he 1ell;>%o1% 4hil!re%Gs s$or8 8

Ha%s +hris$ia% A%!erso% (7:L=) aou$ a%

e"#eror 1ho $ri4>e! 8 $he fla$$er8 of $1o ro/ues

#re$e%!i%/ $o e $ailors a##eare! %a>e! i% #uli4 i%

$he elief $ha$ he 1ore a sui$ of 4lo$h so fi%e $ha$

o%l8 $he 1ises$ 4oul! see i$

Oli1e Tist" 4e%$ral 4hara4$er i% $he %o5el of $ha$ %a"e (7:3=L:)8 Di4>e%s !eali%/ 1i$h $he #oor i% 1or>houses

a%! 'o%!o% 4ri"i%als

Ro&ain Rollan#" 9re%4h essa8is$ a%! %o5elis$ (7:@@L7*s

W. C. Tuttle" ilur +ole"a% ,u$$le ( b+7::3) au$hor of o5er

fif$8 #o#ular %o5els aou$ $he A"eri4a% Fil!

es$G $he firs$ of 1hi4h 1as #ulishe! i% 7*#i$/( seat" a% o#e% sea$ ehi%! $he o!8 of $he "o$or;4ar

suttee" a Hi%!u 4us$o" 8 1hi4h $he 1i!o1 1as ur%$ o%

$he fu%eral #8re 1i$h her !ea! husa%!

C-apte )" A&on, t-e Rea#es an# 5eanes

,ra%s#or$ e4o"es i"#ossile a%! Mr Bis1as "o5es a4> $o $1o

roo"s i% Mrs ,ulsiGs house i% Por$ of S#ai% alo%/ 1i$h $he ,u$$les

0o5i%! a%! +hi%$a a%! $he 1i!o1 Bas!ai. A 4o"i4 ri5alr8 e%sues o5er

#ossessio%s a%! $he 4ro1!s a%! %oise i%4rease! 8 Bas!aiGs s4hool;

4hil!re% oar!ers fro" Shor$hills !ri5e Mr Bis1as $o 1al> i% $hes$ree$s a%! $o see his offi4e as a ha5e%. He feels he is e24lu!e! fro" $he

/ro1i%/ #ros#eri$8 i% $he isla%! a%! fears for A%a%!Gs fu$ure o

#ros#e4$s as i%5ol5i%/ o%l8 Fi%$ri/ue hu"ilia$io% a%! !e#e%!e%4eG. He

is a##oi%$e! i%5es$i/a$or for $he Deser5i%/ Des$i$u$es 9u%! a%! is

e2#ose! 4o%s$a%$l8 $o failure a%! "iser8 as 1ell as reues$s for hel#fro" $he 1i!o1s a%! Bha%!a$. He 4o%$i%ues $o 5isi$ Ao!ha a%!



26/59

@ Su""aries

e4o"es frie%!l8 1i$h Ja/!a$ Bha%!a$Gs so% u$ $here is "u4h hos$ili;

$8 e$1ee% Ao!ha a%! his $1o %e#he1s. ,he i%$er%al ri5alries i% $he

house #reo44u#8 hi" i%4lu!i%/ $ha$ e$1ee% A%a%! a%! ?i!ia!har 1ho

are o$h i% $he e2hii$io% 4lass. A%a%!Gs s4hooli%/ a%! #erso%ali$8 are

!es4rie! full8 1i$h $he uil!;u# $o $he 5i$al e2a"i%a$io% 1hi4h he #ass;

es 1i$h /rea$ su44ess. Mr Bis1asGs "o$her !ies a%! he 4o""e"ora$es

her i% a% e"arrassi%/l8 e"o$io%al #rose #oe" 1hi4h he 1ri$es for $heli$erar8 /rou# he has oi%e!. He also 1ri$es a lo%/ le$$er $o $he !o4$or 1ho

!ela8e! i% si/%i%/ her !ea$h 4er$ifi4a$e a%! is re1ar!e! 8 his le$$er

ei%/ se%$ a4> a%! so a4>%o1le!/e!.

Mr Bis1as !es$ro8s his fa%$as8 FEs4a#eG s$ories 1i$h $heir+OMMEN,ARYarre% heroi%es 1he% 4o%fro%$e! 1i$h $he sor!e! reali$es of Bha%!a$Gs

lo!/i%/ 1here he 5ilifies his +hi%ese "is$ress as a% Fa1>1ar! arre%

4o1G. ,his 4a% e see% as #ar$ of Mr Bis1asGs a44e#$a%4e of $he life

arou%! hi" a%! his #as$ $hou/h i$ 4oul! e see% also as a /es$ure of!efea$ a%! #essi"is".

NO,ES AND 0'OSSARYElla W-eele Wil$o2" a% A"eri4a% #oe$ a%! our%alis$ (7:L7*7*)

5er8 #o#ular i% her !a8

E#a# Capente" a% E%/lish #oe$ a%! 1ri$er (7:e!

#ar$i4ularl8 1i$h $he 7*3s

pomme cith*re " (rench ) Fa##le of +8$heraG. +8$hera is a% isla%!

off $he 4oas$ of $he Pelo#o%%ese !e!i4a$e! $o $he

0ree> /o!!ess of lo5e A#hro!i$e. ,he $er" ommecith4re or lo5e a##le 4a% refer $o a $o"a$o

bois-canot" (rench ) a har! 1oo! use! for oa$;uil!i%/ ( bois

"ea%s 1oo! canot"ea%s a s"all o#e% oa$)

-o&ilies" ser"o%s or "oral lesso%s

+esse +ames an# The Return of #ran! +ames " A"eri4a% es$er% fil"sase! o% fa"ous a%!i$s of $he %i%e$ee%$h 4e%$ur8

Hen( Fon#a9 Bian 3onle1(9 T(one Poe" fa"ous fil" s$ars i%

Holl81oo! !uri%/ $he 7*


27/59

Su""aries =

t-e ,ita" a% are5ia$io% for $he Bhagavadgita #ar$ of a

fa"ous e#i4 #oe" of a%4ie%$ -%!ia 4alle! $he

$ahabharata

P. :. Wo#e-ouse" E%/lish 1ri$er (7::7L7*=) of 4o"i4 %o5els aou$

u##er 4lass 4hara4$ers

The Talisman " a his$ori4al %o5el (7:) 8 Sir al$er S4o$$

(7==7L7:3)

C-apte +" T-e Voi#

Mr Bis1as i%5ol5es hi"self 4losel8 i% A%a%!Gs 1or> a$ $he 4olle/ea%! loo>s $o his so% i%4reasi%/l8 as e"o!8i%/ his ho#es for $he

fu$ure. He e5e% loses his 5isio% of #ossessi%/ his o1% house a/ai% a%!

feels "u4h !es#air. A %e1 o i% a /o5er%"e%$ so4ial 1elfare !e#ar$;

"e%$ ho1e5er /i5es hi" a fresh i%$eres$ a%! se%se of se4uri$8. He

ear%s e2$ra "o%e8 a%! has $he lu2ur8 of a holi!a8 i% Nor$h ,ri%i!a!as 1ell as %e1 4lo$hes a%! a %e1 4ar 1hi4h he e%o8s sho1i%/ off. He

feels his lu4> is $oo /oo! $o las$ as $he !e#ar$"e%$ 4o"es i%4reasi%/l8

u%!er a$$a4>. ,he ,u$$les lea5e for $heir o1% house a%! $he aili%/ Mrs

,ulsi re$ur%s a%! e2er$s her $8ra%%ies u%$il re5i5e! 8 #re#ara$io%s for

$he re$ur% of O1a!. Mr Bis1as has $o "o5e $e"#oraril8 $o a $e%e"e%$a%! re;5isi$s Ha%u"a% House. ,he fa"il8 $he% re$ur% $o o%e roo" i%

Mrs ,ulsiGs house.

NO,ES AND 0'OSSARY(o,i" a !e5o$ee of 8o/a a Hi%!u s8s$e" of "e!i$a$io%

of$e% i%5ol5i%/ $he #ra4$i4e of #h8si4al e2er4ises

$opa in#ust(" 4o#ra is $he !rie! >er%els of 4o4o%u$s 1hi4h 8iel!

oil

Po Bono Pu0li$o" (Latin) for $he #uli4 /oo!

Caa&0a? ... ta#e" (Sanish ) Hea5e%s ao5e -$Gs $hree oG4lo4> alrea!8.

here is 8our fa$her 'e%a /o a%! 4all hi". +o"e

o% 4o"e o% eGre alrea!8 la$e

Sin#-is" #eo#le fro" $he #ro5i%4e of Si%! i% -%!ia

C-apte


28/59

: Su""aries

4ler> i% a 4afQ lea!s $o a 5isi$ $o $he house i% Si>>i" S$ree$ 1hi4h a$ firs$

see"s i%a44essile $hou/h "os$ !esirale. ,he sale of $he house a$

Shor$hills "a>es $he #ri4e of fi5e $housa%! !ollars less #rohii$i5e a%!

he /oes ahea! 1i$h $he #ur4hase i% s#i$e of Sha"aGs !isa##ro5al af$er

orro1i%/ four $housa%! !ollars fro" Ao!ha. O1a! s#e%!s "ore $i"e

a1a8 fro" ho"e a$ his ro$her She>harGs house L She>har has "arrie!

a Pres8$eria% Doro$h8 1ho u#se$s $he ,ulsis L a%! 1i$h "e!i4al 4ol;lea/ues. ,al> of $he re5olu$io% %o1 4eases.

NO,ES AND 0'OSSARYRo0et Ta(lo" Holl81oo! fil" a4$or (7*77L@*)

Russell" Ber$ra%! Russell (7:=L7*=) !is$i%/uishe! "o!;

er% E%/lish #hiloso#her

@oa#" +8ril Joa! (7:*7L7*:) "o!er% #hiloso#her a%!

roa!4as$er

R-a#a/is-nan" Sar5e#alli Ra!ha>rish%a% (7:::L7*=) -%!ia%#hiloso#her s4holar a%! s$a$es"a%

5as/i" Harol! 'as>i (7:*3L7*) E%/lish #oli$i4al s4ie%$is$

Menon" Krish%a Me%o% (7:*=L7*=osso5s>8 (7:*@L7*@:) a Marshal of $he So5ie$ U%io%. Duri%/ $he

Se4o%! orl! ar he 4o""a%!e! $he for4es $ha$

!efe%!e! S$ali%/ra! a%! Mos4o1 a%! le! $he So5ie$

Ar"ies $hrou/h Pola%!. Ser5e! as Mi%is$er ofDefe%4e i% Pola%! (7*


29/59

Su""aries *

Co$a4$ola4Kos/(" a fi4$i$ious %a"e or #u% o% $he ao5e refere%4e $o

sho1 ho1 u/l8 Mr Bis1as $hi%>s Russia% %a"es

are

@osep- 3u,as-1ili" $he real %a"e of S$ali% (7:=*L7*3). ,he %a"e

FS$ali%G 1hi4h "ea%s F"a% of s$eelG 1as his re5o;

lu$io%ar8 %a"e

:o,ol" Ni>olai ?asil8e5i4h 0o/ol (7:*L) Russia%!ra"a$is$ a%! %o5elis$. His %o5els are 4o%si!ere! $o

for" $he fou%!a$io%s of $he %i%e$ee%$h;4e%$ur8 $ra;

!i$io% of Russia% realis"

sto( 0( a Fen$- ite" a refere%4e $o $he shor$ s$or8 F,he Ne4>la4eG

8 0u8 !e Mau#assa%$ (7:L*3)

Pi$asso9 C-a,all9 Rouault9 Ba6ue9 Matisse" fa"ous Euro#ea% #ai%$ers

of $he $1e%$ie$h 4e%$ur8

The Moon and Si$pence " fil" ase! o% a %o5el 8 illia" So"erse$

Mau/ha" (7:= as a 4roo>

a%! err8;uil!er a !es4ri#$io% 1hi4h is 4o%fir"e! 8 his el!erl8 %ei/h;our. ,he ,u$$les 5isi$ ho1e5er a%! are easil8 !e4ei5e! a%! i"#resse!

8 $he house a%! i$s i%4o%5e%ie%4es are ra#i!l8 for/o$$e%. ,he 8ar! is

e2#a%!e! a%! a /ar!e% #la%$e!.

,his 4ha#$er re#ea$s a%! e2#a%!s se5eral #oi%$s 1hi4h+OMMEN,ARY1ere "a!e i% $he #rolo/ue u$ here $he e"#hasis is o% $he i"#or$a%4e of$he house $o $he 4hil!re% es#e4iall8 A%a%! as #ro5i!i%/ a s$ale fo4us

for $heir li5es a%! a fi2e! #oi%$ arou%! 1hi4h $heir "e"ories of 4hil!;

hoo! 4a% e or/a%ise!.

NO,ES AND 0'OSSARY;e(40uil#e" a uil!er 1ho ere4$s houses ui4>l8 a%! i% a

"a>eshif$ "a%%er

Epilo,ue

O1a! "arries Doro$h8Gs Pres8$eria% 4ousi% a%! es$alishes a #ri5a$e

#ra4$i4e i% Sa% 9er%a%!o. ,he +o""u%i$8 elfare De#ar$"e%$ is



30/59

3 Su""aries

aolishe! 1i$h $he %e1 ur/e $o self;i"#ro5e"e%$ rou/h$ aou$ 8 $he

1ar a%! $he A"eri4a% i%flue%4e. Mr Bis1as re$ur%s $o $he Sentinel u$

fi%!s $he 1or> $e!ious a%! feels i%4reasi%/l8 ur!e%e! 8 his !e$s.

Sa5i a%! A%a%! /o aroa! o% s4holarshi#s a%! Mr Bis1as re4ei5es

u%ha##8 a%! 1orr8i%/ le$$ers fro" his so% 1hi4h he res#o%!s $o 1i$h

lo%/ hu"orous le$$ers of his o1%. His se%se of 1ai$i%/ for e5e%$s $o

ha##e% (i% $his 4ase $he re$ur% of his 4hil!re%) i%$e%sifies. He su!!e%;l8 suffers a hear$ a$$a4> a%! s#e%!s a "o%$h i% hos#i$al af$er 1hi4h he

is #u$ o% half;#a8 8 $he #a#er. He /ro1s le$har/i4 a%! irri$ale a%! is

sa4>e! af$er s#e%!i%/ "ore $i"e i% hos#i$al. ,he re$ur% of Sa5i 4o";

#e%sa$es i% #ar$ for A%a%!Gs ase%4e a%! $hi%/s see" $o /ro1 ri/h$.

,he $o%e of his las$ le$$er $o A%a%! is o%e of o8 a%! $ha%>s/i5i%/. His

!ea$h is $he% re#or$e! fla$l8 i% $he #a#er a%! Sha"aGs sis$ers 5isi$ for

$he 4re"a$io% 4ere"o%8 o% $he a%>s of a "u!!8 s$rea" follo1e! 8

$he re$ur% of Sha"a a%! $he 4hil!re% $o $he e"#$8 house.

So"e #oi%$s a%! !e$ails /i5e% i% $he Prolo/ue are re#ea$;+OMMEN,ARYe! here a%! e2#a%!e!. ,he $e4h%iue of re#or$i%/ Mr Bis1asGs !ea$h i%

a% i"#erso%al for" as a% i$e" i% a %e1s#a#er a!!s $o $he #a$hos of his

!ea$h a%! #re5e%$s a%8 %o$e of "elo!ra"a or se%$i"e%$ali$8. ,he ele/ia4

"oo! is also 4o%$i%ue! i% $he 4o%s$rai%$ a%! 4o%$rol of $he fi%al #ara;

/ra#h 1i$h i$s 4losi%/ i"a/e of $he e"#$8 house. ,his i"a/e also e"#ha;

sises $he si/%ifi4a%4e of $he house as a s8"ol i% $he %o5el.



31/59

Pat '

Co&&enta(

T-e a$-ie1e&ent o* t-e no1el

A #ouse for $r Bis%as is a ri4h %o5el 1hi4h #rese%$s a #i4$ure of life

i% ,ri%i!a! !uri%/ a #erio! of aou$ fif$8 8ears $he !e5elo#"e%$ of $he

4hara4$ers a%! $he #lo$ i$self $a>e #la4e a/ai%s$ a 4ha%/i%/ so4ial a4>;/rou%!. ,he 4e%$re of $he %o5el is al1a8s $he 4hara4$er of Mr Bis1as

a%! $he $he"es are 4losel8 li%>e! 1i$h hi". Al$hou/h he is a% or!i%ar8

#erso% 1i$h %o ou$s$a%!i%/ fea$ures Nai#aul su44ee!s i% /i5i%/ hi" aheroi4 s$a$us a%! as rea!ers 1e s8"#a$hise 1i$h his s$ru//les his

failures a%! su44esses. He is i% "a%8 1a8s a% ar4he$8#al fi/ure i% $ha$

he e"o!ies a u%i5ersal $he"e L $he sear4h for i!e%$i$8 a%! for "ea%;

i%/ i% life a%! i$ is $his sear4h 1hi4h is 4har$e! i% $he %o5el a%! #ro;

5i!es "u4h of i$s hu"our. e also see i% $he %o5el $he rise a%! fall of

$he ,ulsi fa"il8 a%! $he 4ul$ural $ra%si$io%s 1hi4h $he !iffere%$ /e%er;

a$io%s ha5e $o u%!er/o. Mr Bis1as hi"self is a "a% 4au/h$ e$1ee%$1o 4ul$ures a%! u%ale $o se$$le full8 i% ei$her. As a se4o%!;/e%era;

$io% -%!ia% 1hose /ra%!fa$her 4rosse! $he Fla4> 1a$ersG fro" -%!ia

he is #ar$ of $he -%!ia%sG a$$e"#$ $o re4rea$e $heir 1orl! i% $he #re;

!o"i%a%$l8 +reole so4ie$8 of ,ri%i!a!. Nai#aul sho1s $his a$$e"#$ as

!oo"e! $o failure. -% a% i%for"a$i5e essa8 o% ,ri%i!a! i% his $ra5el

oo> &he $iddle Passage he !es4ries 5i5i!l8 $he Hi%!u 1orl! of $he

,ulsis as Fa% e%4losi%/ self;suffi4ie%$ 1orl! asore! 1i$h i$s uarrels

a%! ealousies as !iffi4ul$ for $he ou$si!er $o #e%e$ra$e as for o%e of i$s

o1% "e"ers $o es4a#e. -$ #ro$e4$e! a%! i"#riso%e! a s$a$i4 1orl!

a1ai$i%/ !e4a8G.A%8 s$u!8 of $he $he"es of $he %o5el is es$ a##roa4he! $hrou/h a

4lose s$u!8 of $he 4hara4$er of Mr Bis1as a%! $he $he"es 4a% e !efi%e!

!uri%/ $his e2a"i%a$io%.

T-e $-aa$te o* M Bisas

Mohu% Bis1as (1ho is referre! $o as Mr Bis1as e5e% 1he% s$ill a s"all

a8) is a #erso% 1ho is sue4$ $o "isfor$u%e as $he ill o"e%s #rese%$ a$

his ir$h su//es$. He is "ar>e! ho1e5er 8 his 4o%$i%ual resilie%4e a%!

o#$i"is". Des#i$e his feeli%/ of ei%/ $ra##e! 8 $he ,ulsis he fi/h$s $o



32/59

3 +o""e%$ar8

"ai%$ai% his i%!e#e%!e%4e a%! feels 4o%fi!e%$ $ha$ life 1ill e5e%$uall8

8iel! $o hi" i$s s1ee$%ess a%! ro"a%4e. A se%se of !es#air a%! !isillu;

sio%"e%$ $roules hi" la$er i% life u$ he fi/h$s a/ai%s$ $ha$ $oo a%!

re$ai%s fai$h i% $he fu$ure o$h $hrou/h his 4hil!re% a%! $hrou/h a4hie5;

i%/ $he s$a$us of a house;o1%er. A$ Ha%u"a% House he 4o%!u4$s his 4a";

#ai/% a/ai%s$ $he ,ulsis 1i$h hu"our a%! i%5e%$i5e%ess 1hi4h sho1 his

1i$ a%! se%se of asur!i$8. He i%5e%$s a 4a$alo/ue of a%i"al %a"es for$he fa"il8 su4h as F$he ol! he%G for Mrs ,ulsi a%! "o4>s $he" for $heir

s$ro%/ a%! e24lusi5e fa"il8 lo8al$ies a%! "i2e! reli/ious affi%i$ies. A$

$i"es his a4$io%s 4a% see" #e$$8 a%! s#i$eful a%! 8e$ Nai#aul su44ee!s

i% re$ai%i%/ our res#e4$ a%! li>i%/ for hi" as a 4hara4$er. -$ is 1or$h $hi%>;

i%/ aou$ ho1 Nai#aul a4hie5es $his !iffi4ul$ ala%4e. Par$ of $he a%s1er

is $ha$ Mr Bis1as is ale $o "a>e fu% of hi"self as 1ell as of o$her #eo;

#le a%! so a5oi!s e4o"i%/ $oo su#erior a%! s"u/. He a4$s $he role of

4lo1% or uffoo% freue%$l8 a%! e5e% "o4>s his o1% a##eara%4e. -% a

s4e%e a$ ,he +hase he refle4$s ho1 he !oes %o$ feel li>e a s"all "a%

a%! 8e$ $he 4lo$hes ha%/i%/ u# 1ere u%"is$a>al8 $hose of Fa s"all "a%4o"i4 "a>e;elie5e 4lo$hesG. A se%se of i%se4uri$8 also re"ai%s 1i$h

hi" so $ha$ he %e5er feels #erio!s of /oo! for$u%e 4a% e #er"a%e%$ or

elie5es i% $he" full8. ,he effor$ $o a4hie5e $he o1%ershi# of his house

refle4$e! i% $he 5er8 $i$le of $he %o5el $hus e4o"es a %ee! $o es$alish a

fir" reali$8 a%! i%!e#e%!e%4e of his o1%. ,he 4rea$i5i$8 sho1% i% his

#ai%$i%/ a%! 1ri$i%/ refle4$s $his %ee! fur$her as !oes his rea!i%/ of fi4;

$io% a%! #hiloso#h8. He %ee!s $o elie5e i% $he #ossiili$8 of ro"a%4e

a%! "u4h of his frus$ra$io% i% $he %o5el s$e"s fro" $he feeli%/ $ha$

ro"a%4e is al1a8s elu!i%/ hi" es#e4iall8 af$er he e4o"es i%5ol5e!

1i$h $he ,ulsis.,his i%5ol5e"e%$ re5eals a%o$her "aor $he"e of $he %o5el $ha$ of $he

4o"#le2 rela$io%shi# e$1ee% free!o" a%! 4o""i$"e%$. 9ree!o" is

sho1% as so"e$hi%/ 1hi4h is !esire! u$ feare! a$ $he sa"e $i"e as i$

4a% 4ause feeli%/s of e"#$i%ess a%! of %o$ elo%/i%/ or ei%/ %e4essar8

$o a%o$her #erso% or $o so4ie$8 as a 1hole. ,hese feeli%/s are freue%$l8

a$ 1ar i% Mr Bis1as a%! $his 4o%fli4$ is sho1% i% his 4ha%/i%/ a$$i$u!es

$o Ha%u"a% House. Al$hou/h he ui4>l8 reels a/ai%s$ i$s a$$e"#$ $o

!es$ro8 his i%!i5i!uali$8 8 "a>i%/ hi" 4o%for" $o $he es$alishe! rules

a%! 4o!es of eha5iour he also 1el4o"es $he feeli%/ of se4uri$8 a%!

or!erli%ess 1hi4h i$ offers. Here he is %o lo%/er si"#l8 a %o%e%$i$8 u$has a re4o/%ise! role e5e% if i$ of$e% see"s a %e/a$i5e o%e. He hi"self

feels o% o44asio%s $ha$ his 4a"#ai/% is #oi%$less a%! !e/ra!i%/ a%! $ha$

his #rese%4e i% $he househol! is asi4all8 irrele5a%$ si%4e if he lef$ $he

fa"il8 ri$uals 1oul! 4o%$i%ue as efore.

-$ is a$ $his #oi%$ a$ $he e%! of Par$ 7 $ha$ he re4o/%ises $ha$ reellio%



33/59

+o""e%$ar8 33

L $o e 4o%s$ru4$i5e L "us$ e a44o"#a%ie! 8 $he #osi$i5e a4$ of 4o%;

s$ru4$i%/ a e$$er al$er%a$i5e a%! he lea5es for $he 4i$8 1i$h $his i%$e%$io%.

,he #ro4ess of uil!i%/ a se#ara$e i!e%$i$8 a%! a44e#$i%/ $he resul$s of

o%eGs #as$ a4$io%s a%! i%5ol5e"e%$s is sho1% $o e a #ai%ful a%! !iffi4ul$

#ro4ess. -$ i%5ol5es $he she!!i%/ of fa%$asies a%! illusio%s 1e all #ossess

s8"olise! for Mr Bis1as i% his FEs4a#eG s$ories 1hi4h he e5e%$uall8

!es$ro8s a%! a44e#$i%/ $he reali$8 a%! 4o""i$"e%$s 1hi4h ha5e (li>e MrBis1asGs #ossessio%s) /ra!uall8 a44u"ula$e! al"os$ 1i$hou$ his ei%/

a1are of i$. ,he %o5el is $hus #ar$l8 aou$ /ro1i%/ u# a%! a$$ai%i%/

"a$uri$8 a%! a se%se of res#o%siili$8.

A si"ilar a"i5ale%4e is sho1% i% Mr Bis1asGs reli/ious 5ie1s.

Al$hou/h he 4lai"s $o ree4$ a%8 $ra!i$io%al Hi%!u a$$i$u!es su4h as $he

ri/i! 4as$e s8s$e" (as is sho1% 1he% he oi%s $he Ar8a%s) he e%o8s his

Brah"i% s$a$us 1he% a$ ,araGs a%! Ra"4ha%!Gs ho"es a%! #ossesses a

4er$ai% fas$i!ious%ess aou$ foo!s a%! s"ells L he refuses $o s$o4> sal$

eef a%! lar! i% his sho# a$ ,he +hase a%! i% "o"e%$s of fear a%! s$ress

he 4ha%$s Hi%!u #hrases. He also re4ei5es a $ra!i$io%al Hi%!u 4re"a$io%.Nai#aul is sho1i%/ us here $he 4o"#le2 rela$io%shi# $ha$ e2is$s e$1ee%

$he for4es $ha$ sha#e a% i%!i5i!ual a%! his a$$e"#$s $o for" his o1% #er;

so%ali$8 a%! eliefs.

Mr Bis1as !is#la8s also a 4er$ai% %a5e$8 or i%%o4e%4e i% $he u!/e;

"e%$s he for"s of o$her #eo#le. -$ see"s $ha$ he 4a% e easil8 "isle! 8

#eo#le 1ho 4a% $a>e a!5a%$a/e of his fears a%! a"i$io%s. ,his !e4e#;

$io% ha##e%s 1i$h Mo$i a%! $he la18er Seeara% a$ ,he +hase 1i$h $he

4ar#e%$er Ma4lea% a$ 0ree% ?ale a%! 1i$h $he soli4i$orGs 4ler>. A$

Ha%u"a% House also he is !e4ei5e! i%$o $hi%>i%/ $ha$ he is "arr8i%/ i%$o

a 1eal$h8 fa"il8 a%! 1ill re4ei5e a lar/e !o1r8 u$ $his ho#e #ro5es hol;lo1. A fur$her 4o%4e#$ $ha$ Nai#aul is illus$ra$i%/ i% $he %o5el is $he !if;

fere%4e $ha$ 4a% e2is$ e$1ee% a##eara%4e a%! reali$8 a%! $his 4o%$ras$ is

of$e% a sour4e of hu"our. ,he 1alls of Ha%u"a% House a##ear $o e

4o%4re$e u$ are i% fa4$ as Mrs ,ulsi #rou!l8 $ells hi" "a!e of 4la8

ri4>s. ,his !is#ari$8 is sho1% "os$ 4learl8 i% $he house i% Si>>i" S$ree$

1hi4h a/ai% loo>s !e4e#$i5el8 soli! a%! !e4ei5es Mr Bis1as a%! $he%

4o"i4all8 $he ,u$$les.

Mr Bis1as hi"self is %o$ all $ha$ he a##ears $o e. As he sa8s sa!l8 $o

Sha"a F,ha$ is $he 1hole las$e! $roule. - !o%G$ loo> li>e a%8$hi%/ a$

all. Sho#>ee#er la18er !o4$or laourer o5erseer L - !o%G$ loo> li>e a%8of $he".G As o%e of $he ,ulsi so%s;i%;la1 a%! as a our%alis$ he 4a%

a4hie5e a >i%! of s$a$us u$ has al1a8s $o re$ur% $o his F4ro1!e! sha8

roo"G. Duri%/ his o as i%5es$i/a$or of Deser5i%/ Des$i$u$es he refle4$s

$ha$ $he 4o%!i$io%s he is li5i%/ i% are as a! as $he #eo#le aou$ 1ho" he

is 1ri$i%/. ,his ele"e%$ of 5ul%eraili$8 a%! la4> of 4er$ai%$8 hel# $o



34/59

3< +o""e%$ar8

"a>e Mr Bis1as i%$o a hu"a% a%! s8"#a$he$i4 #erso% as 1ell as a >i%!

of E5er8"a% 1i$h 1ho" 1e 4a% i!e%$if8. ,his also e2#lai%s his 1or!s $o

his so% !uri%/ his rea>!o1% a$ 0ree% ?ale 1he% A%a%! as>s hi" i% a

e1il!ere! 1a8 Fho are 8ouG Mr Bis1as re#lies F- a" us$ so"eo!8.

Noo!8 a$ all. - a" us$ a "a% 8ou >%o1G. ,hus he rese%$s as 1e all !o

$he a$$e"#$s of o$her #eo#le $o 4a$e/orise hi" a%! so re!u4e his i%!i5i!;

uali$8. He e5e% al$ers his !au/h$erGs ir$h 4er$ifi4a$e 1here he is!es4rie! 8 Se$h as a laourer a%! si/%s hi"self F#ro#rie$orG.

His a$$e"#$s a$ self;!efi%i$io% $he% 4o%s$i$u$e $he "ai% o!8 of $he

%o5el. B8 fi%all8 o1%i%/ his o1% house a1a8 fro" $he ,ulsis 1ho are

!es4rie! a$ $he e%! of $he #rolo/ue as F$ha$ lar/e !isi%$e/ra$i%/ a%!

i%!iffere%$ fa"il8G he has su44ee!e! i% la8i%/ 4lai" $o his #or$io% of $he

ear$h a%! es4a#e! $he fa$e of ha5i%/ Fli5e! a%! !ie! as o%e ha! ee% or%

u%%e4essar8 a%! u%a44o""o!a$e!G.

M Bisas an# t-e ot-e &ain $-aa$tes

,o u%!ers$a%! a%! a##re4ia$e Mr Bis1as full8 i$ is %e4essar8 $o e2a";

i%e his rela$io%shi# 1i$h $hree 4hara4$ers 1ho are of #ar$i4ular i"#or;

$a%4e $o hi" his so% his "o$her a%! his 1ife. His rela$io%shi# 1i$h his

so% is 4lose a%! of$e% $e%se as $he8 re4o/%ise i% ea4h o$her a 4o""o%

1ea>%ess a%! 5ul%eraili$8. Ea4h feels res#o%sile for $he o$her a%! o%e

se%ses $ha$ A%a%! i% #ar$i4ular so"e$i"es rese%$s $his e"o$io%al $ie.

,his #oi%$ "a8 e2#lai% 1h8 a$ $he e%! of $he %o5el he !e4i!es %o$ $o

re$ur% ho"e 1he% his fa$her is !8i%/. -$ is also si/%ifi4a%$ $ha$ i$ 1as

!uri%/ $his #erio! af$er Mr Bis1as 1as sa4>e! fro" $he Sentinel $ha$he "os$ %ee!e! Fhis so%Gs i%$eres$ a%! a%/erG si%4e Fi% all $he 1orl! $here

1as %o o%e else $o 1ho" he 4oul! 4o"#lai%G. Mr Bis1as see"s "u4h

4loser $o his so% $ha% he is $o his 1ife Sha"a as $he8 share "a%8 4har;

a4$eris$i4s a%! A%a%! "o!els hi"self o% his fa$her. he% Mr Bis1as

firs$ s$ar$s $o $a>e a% i%$eres$ i% his so% af$er i%i$iall8 re/ar!i%/ hi" as a

!isa##oi%$"e%$ he is s$ru4> 8 $he fra/ili$8 of his a##eara%4e. ,heir

firs$ real 4o%$a4$ o44urs 1he% A%a%! 4hooses $o re"ai% 1i$h his fa$her

a$ 0ree% ?ale e4ause as he sh8l8 a!"i$s F$he8 1as /oi%/ $o lea5e 8ou

alo%eG. A%o$her li%> e$1ee% $he" is es$alishe! here L $ha$ of e!u4a;

$io% as Mr Bis1as $ea4hes his so% aou$ +o#er%i4us a%! la$er i%$ro;!u4es hi" $o Di4>e%s a%! o$her %o5elis$s. He is a%2ious $ha$ his so%

shoul! %o$ e li>e hi" he 1a%$s hi" $o su44ee! i% a 1or$h1hile 4areer

a%! his ho#es for $he fu$ure i%4reasi%/l8 fo4us o% his so%. He #a8s for

#ri5a$e lesso%s a%! $he es$ee"e! !ie$ of "il> a%! #ru%es a%! e5e% hel#s

1i$h $he 1ri$i%/ of his essa8s. Des#i$e A%a%!Gs 4lai" $ha$ he !oes %o$

1a%$ $o e li>e his fa$her 1he% he is ol!er $he o8 is s$ro%/l8 i%flue%4e!



35/59

+o""e%$ar8 3

8 hi" a%! also i% a se%se lear%s fro" his "is$a>es a%! !iffi4ul$ies.

,hus 1e are $ol! $ha$ a"o%/ $he 4hil!re% a$ Shor$hills A%a%! is 4o%;

si!ere! s$ro%/ $hou/h he is >e#$ a#ar$ e4ause of his Fsa$iri4al se%seG.

,his e/a% a$ firs$ as Fo%l8 a #ose a%! i"i$a$io% of his fa$herG u$ $he%

!e5elo#e! i%$o a% a$$i$u!e of 4o%$e"#$ 1hi4h le! $o Fi%a!eua4ies ...

self;a1are%ess a%! a las$i%/ lo%eli%essG a%! also "a!e hi" Fu%assail;

aleG. ,hou/h Mr Bis1as uses his /if$s of 4ari4a$ure a%! hu"our $o#ro$e4$ hi"self #ar$i4ularl8 a$ Ha%u"a% House 1e s$ill feel his esse%;

$ial 5ul%eraili$8 a%! sufferi%/ #ar$l8 e4ause of his s$ro%/ %ee! a%!

!esire $o elo%/ a%! feel a$ ho"e i% so4ie$8. U%li>e his so% he 4a%

%e5er sus$ai% a% a$$i$u!e of !e$a4h"e%$ a%! aloof%ess for a%8 le%/$h of

$i"e.

,he rela$io%shi# e$1ee% Mr Bis1as a%! his "o$her $hou/h i$ is %o$

!eal$ 1i$h a$ a%8 le%/$h is fel$ as a s$ro%/ for4e i% $he %o5el a%! is $rea$;

e! 8 Nai#aul 1i$h /rea$ !eli4a48 a%! se%si$i5i$8. ,he rela$io%shi# is

e2#resse! lar/el8 i% %e/a$i5e $er"s i% i$s effe4$ o% Mr Bis1as. Af$er $he

!ea$h of his fa$her Mr Bis1as loo>s $o his "o$her for /rea$er su##or$ a%!4o"for$. Af$er he re$ur%s fro" $he ru" sho# he as>s his "o$her sa!l8

1h8 she >ee#s se%!i%/ hi" $o li5e 1i$h o$her #eo#le a%! 4o"#lai%s $ha$

F- ha5e %o fa$her $o loo> af$er "e a%! #eo#le 4a% $rea$ "e ho1 $he8

1a%$G. he% $he8 li5e $o/e$her a$ $he a4> $ra4e i% Pa/o$es she fills hi"

1i$h a%/er a%! !e#ressio% as she 4o%s$a%$l8 e1ails her fa$e a%! is sh8

of sho1i%/ hi" affe4$io% i% a house of s$ra%/ers. He $ur%s $o ,ara for

"o$herl8 su##or$ L i$ is $o her $ha$ he re4ou%$s $he hu"ilia$i%/ $ale of $he

a%a%as i% $he ho#e of ei%/ 4o"for$e!.

,here is ho1e5er a shif$ i% Mr Bis1asGs 5ie1 of his "o$her i% $he

%o5el. He realises $ha$ she is a 1o"a% 1ho is s$ill e%er/e$i4 a%! 4a#ale1he% he 5isi$s her a$ Pa/o$es !uri%/ his #erio! a$ ,he +hase a%! a/ai%

1he% he sees her a$ Pra$a#Gs ho"e !uri%/ his $ra5els as $he S4arle$

Pi"#er%el. She 4o"es $o s$a8 1i$h hi" a$ Shor$hills for a for$%i/h$ a%!

a/ai% sur#rises Mr Bis1as a%! 1i%s his res#e4$ 8 her effi4ie%48 a%! 8

$he 4al"%ess a%! a44e#$a%4e 1i$h 1hi4h she 5ie1s $heir rela$io%shi#. He

s$ill ho1e5er feels 5er8 /uil$8 aou$ his "o$her >%o1i%/ $ha$ he has

%e/le4$e! her i% $he #as$ a%! has fel$ asha"e! of her #o5er$8. He feels

af$er her !ea$h $ha$ he has %e5er >%o1% her or lo5e! her a%! his #oe$i4

$riu$e $o her L as 1ell as his le%/$h8 le$$er $o $he !o4$or L are a$$e"#$s

$o e2#ress his /rief a%! /uil$ a%! so 4o"e $o $er"s 1i$h $he" a%! eF1holeG a/ai%. ,his /uil$ also i%flue%4es Mr Bis1asGs #ur4hase of $he

house i% Si>>i" S$ree$ 1he% $he soli4i$orGs 4ler> uses $he #re$e2$ of

%ee!i%/ $o #ro5i!e his o1% a/ei%/ "o$her 1i$h /rea$er 4o"for$ as $he

reaso% for a ui4> sale. Nai#aul su44ee!s i% #rese%$i%/ $his fla1e! rela;

$io%shi# li%>e! as i$ is 1i$h a se%se of loss a%! of Fso"e$hi%/ "isse!G



36/59

3@ +o""e%$ar8

1i$hou$ a%8 $ra4es of se%$i"e%$ali$8 or i!ealisa$io%. ,his is o%e of his

/rea$ s$re%/$hs as a %o5elis$ i% his $rea$"e%$ of Mr Bis1as a%! o$her

4hara4$ers he is ale $o le%! a 4er$ai% !e$a4h"e%$ a%! oe4$i5i$8 1i$h

hu"a% 1ar"$h a%! 4o"#assio%.

,he sa"e 4o""e%$ 4a% e "a!e aou$ $he rela$io%shi# e$1ee% Mr

Bis1as a%! his 1ife. ,his $oo is fla1e! i% $ha$ %ei$her husa%! %or 1ife

reall8 u%!ers$a%!s ea4h o$her. Sha"a 1i$h her "i2e! alle/ia%4es $o $he,ulsis a%! $o her husa%! re"ai%s lar/el8 a #ule $o her husa%!.

,hou/h she o44asio%all8 reels a/ai%s$ her husa%! for his !isru#$i5e

eha5iour usuall8 8 lea5i%/ hi" she is s$au%4hl8 lo8al a%! a44e#$s

1ha$ fa$e has /i5e% her. She is ale $o share his o>es aou$ her fa"il8

$hou/h re"i%!i%/ hi" of his !e#e%!e%4e o% $he". She fears a%8 se5er;

i%/ of her $ies 1i$h $he ,ulsis si%4e as Mr Bis1as re4o/%ises 1i$h a% ele;

"e%$ of i$$er%ess a"i$io% for her 4o%sis$s lar/el8 of Fa series of %e/a;

$i5es %o$ $o e u%"arrie! %o$ $o e 4hil!less %o$ $o e a% u%!u$iful

!au/h$er sis$er 1ife "o$her 1i!o1G. U%li>e her husa%! she is ha##8

$o 4o%for" a%! 4a%%o$ u%!ers$a%! $he %e4essi$8 for his reellio%.No%e$heless Mr Bis1as is /la! of her #rese%4e a%! 4o"#a%8. A$ ,he

+hase for e2a"#le she a%ishes $he sile%4e a%! lo%eli%ess a%! his

rea>!o1% a$ 0ree% ?ale is #ar$l8 4ause! 8 her lo%/ ase%4es 1i$h $he

4hil!re% a%! his suseue%$ isola$io%. He 4o"es i%4reasi%/l8 $o rel8 o%

her #o1ers of u!/e"e%$ e5e% $hou/h he s$ill a4$s i%!e#e%!e%$l8 as o5er

$he #ur4hase of his las$ house. He is so"e$i"es e"arrasse! 8 her la4>

of e!u4a$io% as i% $he s4e%e 1i$h Miss 'o/ie 1here Sha"a $al>s /arru;

lousl8 $o her !uri%/ $he !ri5e $o Sa%s;Sou4i. ,his s4e%e also sho1s $ha$

Mr Bis1as is u%a1are of 4er$ai% as#e4$s of his 1ifeGs 4hara4$er us$ as he

1as sur#rise! $o fi%! her 4hil!hoo! "e"e%$oes si/%s of her 4o%$a4$ 1i$h$he ou$si!e 1orl! i% $he !ra1er of $he !ressi%/;$ale !uri%/ $heir "o5e

$o 0ree% ?ale. -% s#i$e of i$s i%a!eua4ies $he "arria/e $ie is sho1% as

s$ro%/ a%! e%!uri%/ #ro5i!i%/ a #oi%$ arou%! 1hi4h o$h 4hara4$ers 4a%

uil! a%! !efi%e $heir li5es.

St(le an# stu$tue

,he %o5el is !i5i!e! i%$o $1o #ar$s e%4lose! 8 a Prolo/ue a%! a%

E#ilo/ue. ,he #lo$ s$ru4$ure is #ar$ of a lo%/ Bri$ish %o5elis$i4 $ra!i$io%as re#rese%$e! 8 +harles Di4>e%s (7:7L=) 1i$h i$s 4o%4e%$ra$io% o%

$he life his$or8 of a si%/le #ro$a/o%is$ a%! $he $ra4i%/ of his for$u%esfro" ir$h $o !ea$h 1i$h $he a44o"#a%8i%/ sear4h for self;fulfil"e%$ a%!

re4o/%i$io%. ,he %o5el also $ra4es $he rise a%! fall of $he ,ulsi fa"il8

a%! $he 4ha%/es i% so4ie$8 o5er a #erio! of fif$8 8ears. -$ is !iffi4ul$ $o

!a$e $he e5e%$s i% $he %o5el #re4isel8 u$ i$ see"s $o 4o5er $he #erio!



37/59

+o""e%$ar8 3=

e$1ee% 7* a%! 7*7 so i%4lu!i%/ $he $1o "aor 1orl! 1ars L $he

se4o%! of 1hi4h !oes i"#i%/e o% $he %o5el 1i$h i$s e4o%o"i4 effe4$s a%!

$he /ro1i%/ A"eri4a% i%flue%4e. Nai#aul ho1e5er !oes %o$ 1holl8

4o%for" $o $he "o!el !efi%e! ao5e. ,he heroGs !ea$h for i%s$a%4e is

re#or$e! i% $he Prolo/ue a%! $hrou/hou$ $he %o5el $here is a su$le series

of 4ross;refere%4es a%! re4urri%/ i"a/es. A "i%or e2a"#le of $he la$$er

is $he !es4ri#$io% of $he le/s of Pra$a# a%! Prasa! o% re$ur%i%/ fro" $he"u!!8 uffalo #o%! 1hi4h ha! $ur%e! 1hi$e Fso $ha$ $he8 loo>e! li>e $he

$rees i% fire;s$a$io%s a%! #oli4e;s$a$io%s 1hi4h are 1ashe! 1i$h 1hi$e

li"e u# $o $he "i!!le of $heir $ru%>sG a% i"a/e 1hi4h Mr Bis1as re4alls

1he% he lea5es Ha%u"a% House a%! Ar1a4as af$er his #erio! of 4o%5a;

les4e%4e a%! sees $he #al" $rees i% $he !ri5e $o $he #oli4e;s$a$io%. A "ore

%o$ale e2a"#le is $he 4a$alo/ue of Mr Bis1asGs #ossessio%s 1hi4h is

use! $o re#rese%$ !iffere%$ #hases of his life a%! $o a4$ as a 4o%4re$e ref;

ere%4e $o his #as$ e2#erie%4es. A$ ea4h "o5e $o a%o$her house $he /ro1;

i%/ lis$ is !e$aile!. Af$er $he $i"e a$ Shor$hills for e2a"#le Mr Bis1as

has /ai%e! Fo%l8 $1o #ie4es of fur%i$ure $he Slu"er>i%/ e! a%!,hQo#hileGs oo>4aseG. 9or $he rea!er also ea4h i$e" of fur%i$ure

e4o"es o5erlai! 1i$h #ar$i4ular asso4ia$io%s a%! so hel#s $o i%! $he

%o5el $o/e$her a%! /i5e i$ u%i$8. A feeli%/ of #a$hos is also e5o>e! 8 $he

lis$ of $hese F/a$heri%/s of a life$i"eG 1he% $he8 are e2#ose! for $he las$

$i"e o% $he "o5e $o Si>>i" S$ree$ a%! see" Fu%fa"iliar a%! sha8 a%!

sha"efulG.

Perha#s $he "os$ s$ri>i%/ 4hara4$eris$i4 of Nai#aulGs s$8le is his

#o1er of oser5a$io%. He sho1s #re4isio% a%! 4lari$8 as 1ell as a

4lose a$$e%$io% $o !e$ail a%! a% aili$8 $o 4rea$e "oo! a%! a$"os#here

i% a realis$i4 a%! e5o4a$i5e 1a8. He 4o""e%$s i% An Area of !ar"ness$ha$ la%!s4a#es are %o$ $rul8 real u%$il $he8 ha5e ee% /i5e% $he ual;

i$8 of "8$h u$ $here is al1a8s a soli!i$8 a%! 4o%4re$e%ess aou$ his

!es4ri#$io%s. ,he arra4>s a$ 0ree% ?ale for e2a"#le are !es4rie!

a$ o%e #oi%$ as Fa #la4e $ha$ 1as %o1here a !o$ o% $he "a# of $he

isla%! 1hi4h 1as a !o$ o% $he "a# of $he 1orl!G. ,his as$ra4$ 4o";

"e%$ is $he% follo1e! 8 $he oser5a$io% $ha$ F... !ea! $rees ri%/e! $he

arra4>s a 1all of fla1less la4>G. Nai#aul !oes %o$ fli%4h fro"

!es4rii%/ u%#leasa%$ si/h$s su4h as $he s4as for"e! 8 $he sores

1hi4h Mr Bis1as has as a 4hil! u$ $he la%/ua/e use! is %e5er se%;

sa$io%al or e2a//era$e!. ,his se%se of 4o%$rol 4o"es #ar$l8 fro" $he!is$a%4e $ha$ Nai#aul "ai%$ai%s fro" $he "a$erial he is ha%!li%/

1hi4h e%ales hi" $o a5oi! falsel8 ro"a%$i4isi%/ his sue4$ a%!

"a>es $he "a$erial see" realis$i4 a%! 4re!ile. A% e2a"#le of $his is

$he 4areful !e$aili%/ of Mr Bis1asGs rea>!o1% a$ 0ree% ?ale. B8

re#or$i%/ $his #ro4ess i% a% u%e"o$io%al $o%e usuall8 i% $he for" of



38/59

3: +o""e%$ar8

s$a$e"e%$s he /i5es $he 1ri$i%/ /rea$ #o1er a%! !ra"a$i4 effe4$.

he% Mr Bis1as "o5es i%$o his i%4o"#le$e house he e4o"es

osesse! 1i$h $he as#hal$ o% $he roof 1hi4h "el$s a%! loo>s li>e a

%u"er of s%a>es. ,he8 e5e% e/i% $o a##ear i% his !rea"s a%! FHe

e/a% $o re/ar! $he" as li5i%/ a%! 1o%!ere! 1ha$ i$ 1oul! e li>e $o

ha5e o%e fall a%! 4url o% his s>i%G. he% $his horror o44urs i$ is

re#or$e! i% a "a$$er;of;fa4$ 1a8 1hi4h ser5es $o i%$e%sif8 $he horrorfar "ore $ha% a "ore "elo!ra"a$i4 !es4ri#$io% 4oul! ha5e !o%e. FA

s%a>e ha! falle% o% hi". ?er8 $hi% a%! %o$ lo%/. he% $he8 loo>e!

u# $he8 sa1 $he #are%$ s%a>e 1ai$i%/ $o release so"e "oreG.

,his res$rai%$ i% $he 1ri$i%/ is a !iffi4ul$ a4hie5e"e%$ for a%8 1ri$er

a%! is o%e of Nai#aulGs /rea$ s$re%/$hs. e e2#erie%4e $he sufferi%/s of

Mr Bis1as "ore i%$e%sel8 e4ause of $his 4areful a%! !eli4a$e 4o%$ras$

e$1ee% $he a1ful%ess of a #ar$i4ular e5e%$ a%! $he 4o%$ai%e! 1a8 i%

1hi4h i$ is !es4rie!. A fur$her e2a"#le is $he !es$ru4$io% of $he !ollGs

house 1hi4h Mr Bis1as has /i5e% his !au/h$er o%e of $he "os$ $rau;

"a$i4 e2#erie%4es 1hi4h he has i% $he %o5el. O%4e a/ai% ho1e5er $hee5e%$ is !es4rie! i% a si"#le s$8le 1hi4h allo1s $he rea!er $o i"a/i%e

$he e"o$io%s i%5ol5e! 5i5i!l8. Mr Bis1as !is4o5ers $he !ollGs house

$hro1% a/ai%s$ a fe%4e i% $he 8ar! a$ Ha%u"a% House FA ro>e% !oor

a rui%e! 1i%!o1 a s$a5e!;i% 1all or e5e% roof L he ha! e2#e4$e! $ha$.

Bu$ %o$ $his. ,he !ollGs house !i! %o$ e2is$. He sa1 o%l8 a u%!le of

fire1oo!. No%e of i$s #ar$s 1as 1hole. -$s !eli4a$e oi%$s 1ere e2#ose!

a%! uselessG.

S(&0olis& an# i&a,e(

,he e2a"#le of $he !ollGs house also sho1s $he #o1erful use of s8";

olis" i% $he %o5el. Here $he !ollGs house a%! i$s !es$ru4$io% are i!e%;$ifie! 1i$h Mr Bis1as hi"self. ,he house a##ears $o ha5e a hu"a% o!8

1i$h $he refere%4es $o F!eli4a$e oi%$sG a%! la$er $o F$or% s>i%G. ,here are

"a%8 uses of s8"olis" i% $he %o5el s8"ols 4a% e li%>e! 1i$h #la4es

a%! 1i$h #eo#le or 1i$h o$h. ,hus $he !es4ri#$io% of Ha%u"a% House

as a% Falie% 1hi$e for$ressG su//es$s $he forei/% %a$ure of $he ,ulsis a%!

$heir Hi%!u reli/io% i% ,ri%i!a! a%! $he 1a8 i% 1hi4h $he house 1ill e

a #riso% $o Mr Bis1as a/ai%s$ 1hi4h he "us$ reel 1i$h his o1%1ea#o%s. ,his 4oul! e $er"e! a F"ul$i#leG s8"ol si%4e i$ e5o>es "ore

$ha% o%e i"a/e a%! $here are se5eral o$her s8"ols 1hi4h o#era$e i%

$his 1a8. ,here is $he re4urre%$ i"a/e of $he o8 s$a%!i%/ ou$si!e ahouse a$ !us> 1hi4h Mr Bis1as firs$ oser5es 1he% a4$i%/ as a 4o%!u4;

$or o% o%e of Ao!haGs uses. -$ e4o"es asso4ia$e! for hi" 1i$h a feel;

i%/ of !esola$io% a%! lo%eli%ess a%! is li%>e! s8"oli4all8 1i$h his



39/59

+o""e%$ar8 3*

%ee! for s$aili$8 a%! a ho"e $o /i5e a se%se of 4er$ai%$8 a%! se4uri$8.

Nai#aul also uses !es4ri#$io%s of %a$ure a%! la%!s4a#e $o e4ho $he

$he"es of $he %o5el a%! $o a4$ as s8"ols. he% asso4ia$e! 1i$h $he

,ulsis $he la%!s4a#e of$e% $a>es $he for" of a% u%4o%$rolle! a%! !e4a8;

i%/ u%/le. ,he sho# a$ ,he +hase is surrou%!e! 8 aa%!o%e! la%!

1hi4h fos$ers %e$$les a%! 1ee!s a%! arou%! 0ree% ?ale $here are half;

!ea! lea5es a%! i$ is F!a"# a%! sha!o1e! a%! 4loseG. A$ Shor$hills $hefer$ile a%! #ro!u4$i5e la%! is lar/el8 u%4ul$i5a$e! a%! e4o"es a

1il!er%ess. -% Mr Bis1asGs house i% Si>>i" S$ree$ ho1e5er %a$ure is

see% as so"e$hi%/ eau$iful a%! e5e% l8ri4al 1i$h $he 4ool%ess of $he

laur%u" a%! $he s4e%$ of $he lil8 1hi4h 4o"for$ Mr Bis1as !uri%/ his

fi%al ill%ess. he% he #la%$s a /ar!e% a$ Mrs ,ulsiGs house i% Por$ of

S#ai% $he rose $rees flourish u$ as his !es#air a%! !isillusio%"e%$

!ee#e% $he roses u%$e%!e! /ro1 Fs$ra//l8 a%! har!G a%! are !a"a/e!

8 a li/h$. ,he s8"olis" i% $he %o5el is rarel8 o$rusi5e or hea58;

ha%!e! a%! li>e $he 4e%$ral s8"ol of $he house i$self $he s8"ols

/ra!uall8 a44u"ula$e a!!i$io%al for4e a%! "ea%i%/ i% $he 4ourse of $he%o5el.

O%e isola$e! s8"ol 1hi4h !eser5es 4o""e%$ is $he i"a/e of $he

1i%/e! a%$s 1hi4h A%a%! 1a$4hes !uri%/ $he s$or" a$ 0ree% ?ale. -% $his

e#iso!e 1e see $he !es$ru4$io% of o%e $8#e of a%$ 8 a%o$her "ore fi$$e!

$o sur5i5e. A%a%! $ries $o >ill $he la4> i$i%/ a%$s u$ aa%!o%s $his as

fu$ile 1he% he is su!!e%l8 $errifie! 8 $heir a%/er a%! 5i%!i4$i5e%ess.

,his e#iso!e 4a% e see% as illus$ra$i%/ $he 4o"#assio% $ha$ A%a%! feels

for $he 5i4$i" u$ also his frus$ra$io% a%! a%/er 1he% he re4o/%ises $he

fu$ili$8 of $he 1ea> $r8i%/ $o hel# $he 1ea>. ,hese feeli%/s are e4hoe! i%

his rela$io%shi# 1i$h his fa$her #ar$i4ularl8 a$ $his "o"e%$ 1he% MrBis1as is hu!!le! o% $he e! re4i$i%/ Hi%!u 1or!s a%! i"a/i%i%/ $ha$

F$he8G ha5e 4o"e $o /e$ hi".

Hu&ou an# satie

,hese $1o ele"e%$s are 4e%$ral i% $he %o5el a%! are of$e% li%>e! si%4e

sa$ire uses ri!i4ule iro%8 a%! sar4as" $o 4ri$i4ise i$s oe4$. -ro%8 is $he

!o"i%a%$ $e4h%iue for 4rea$i%/ hu"our #ar$i4ularl8 i% $he !es4ri#;

$io%s of $he feu!s e$1ee% Mr Bis1as a%! $he ,ulsis. Mr Bis1as 4o";"e%$s $o Sha"a a$ o%e #oi%$ 1he% she is $hrea$e%i%/ $o re$ur% $o

Ha%u"a% House af$er a uarrel $ha$ she 1ill e /i5e% Fso"e "e!al a$

$he "o%>e8 houseG a%! he i%5e%$s a%i"al %a"es for $he "ai% "e"ersof $he fa"il8 as 1ell as referri%/ $o Mrs ,ulsiGs $1o so%s as $he Fli$$le

/o!sG. ,hese !es4ri#$io%s $hou/h asur! a%! far4i4al also 4o%$ai%

so"e $ru$h a%! so /ai% our s8"#a$h8 a%! 1e lau/h 1i$h Mr Bis1as a$



40/59


41/59

+o""e%$ar8 e $he

$ra!i$io%al $ra/i4 hero Mr Bis1as suffers a%! !ies a%! s$ill re$ai%s his

i!eals a%! 5isio% i% $he fa4e of o##osi$io% sho1i%/ /rea$ resilie%4e i%

$he #ro4ess. ,hou/h he "a8 see" asur! a%! self;!elu!e! a$ $i"es as

i% his fi%al #ur4hase of a house our res#o%se $o hi" is "i2e! a%! 1e

4a% a!"ire his e%!ura%4e a%! s8"#a$hise 1i$h his 5ul%eraili$8. ,here

is also a$ $he e%! of $he %o5el a se%se of resolu$io% a%! of so"e$hi%/

a4hie5e! 1hi4h is "ore a##ro#ria$e $o 4o"e!8 $ha% $ra/e!8 1here $he

#re!o"i%a%$ feeli%/ a$ $he e%! is of$e% a se%se of 1as$e. Mr Bis1as!ies 1i$h $he 4o"for$i%/ >%o1le!/e $ha$ he is %o$ li>e Ki%/ 'ear i%

Sha>es#eareGs $ra/e!8 Fu%%e4essar8 a%! u%a44o""o!a$e!G u$ has

lef$ a le/a48 $o his 1ife a%! 4hil!re% i% $he $riu"#ha%$ a4uisi$io% of

a house.

T-e &ino $-aa$tes

Ms Tulsi

Mrs ,ulsi is $he 4e%$re of $he ,ulsi fa"il8 arou%! 1hi4h $he o$her 4har;

a4$ers re5ol5e. She is $he 1i!o1 of Pu%!i$ ,ulsi a res#e4$e! fi/ure

o$h i% his %a$i5e -%!ia a%! i% ,ri%i!a! a%! $he 1hole fa"il8 /ai%#res$i/e fro" his re#u$a$io%. Mrs ,ulsi (or FMaiG "ea%i%/ "o$her as

she is freue%$l8 4alle!) "ai%$ai%s a "a$riar4hal $8ra%%8 o5er $he

househol! a%! i$s 5arious "e"ers. -$ is si/%ifi4a%$ $ha$ i% Ha%u"a%

House $he usual Hi%!u $ra!i$io% 8 1hi4h !au/h$ers /o $o li5e 1i$h

$heir husa%!s a%! e4o"e al"os$ ser5a%$s of $heir "o$hers;i%;la1 is

re5erse! i% $ha$ $he husa%!s s$a8 i% $he !au/h$ersG househol! a%!

e4o"e suser5ie%$ $o $heir "o$her;i%;la1 Mrs ,ulsi. ,his is #ar$ of

$he hu"ilia$io% 1hi4h Mr Bis1as feels so s$ro%/l8 a%! $ries $o ree4$.

,he "a%i#ula$io% 1hi4h Mrs ,ulsi !ire4$s $o1ar!s $hose arou%! her is

4le5erl8 4o%4eale! ($hou/h %o$ fro" Mr Bis1as) u%!er a% a##eara%4eof "ar$8r!o" a%! sufferi%/. -f so"eo%e s$e#s ou$ of li%e she fai%$s a%!

re$ires $o $he Rose Roo" 1here she is e%!lessl8 "assa/e! 8 $he fai$h;

ful Sushila a%! o$her !au/h$ers a%! re"ai%s $here u%$il $he offe%!i%/



42/59

e her ro$her;i%;la1 Se$h 1ho rules 1i$h her she is

4a#ale of sur#risi%/ 4ru!i$8 i% her la%/ua/e as 1he% she $ells Mr Bis1as

$o F/o $o hellG !uri%/ $heir fi%al uarrel.

,he %o5el sho1s $he !e4li%e of $he ,ulsi fa"il8 1hi4h is 4ause! 8

i%$er%al 1ra%/les a%! $he !isru#$i5e effe4$s of a !iffere%$ 4ul$ure. Mrs

,ulsi is a%2ious for her so%s $o su44ee! a%! se%!s $he" $o a Ro"a%

+a$holi4 4olle/e $hus 4o"#ro"isi%/ her Hi%!u eliefs L as Mr Bis1as

is ui4> $o #oi%$ ou$ 1i$h his i"a/e of her as F$he or$ho!o2 Ro"a%

+a$holi4 Hi%!uG 1ho has sal"o% o%l8 o% 0oo! 9ri!a8. Mrs ,ulsi "o5es

$o Por$ of S#ai% 1he% she feels $ha$ $he F8ou%/er /o!G O1a! shoul! eloo>e! af$er !uri%/ his s4hooli%/ follo1i%/ his ro$herGs "arria/e. -$ is

a$ $his #oi%$ $ha$ $he #o1er s$ru4$ure i% Ha%u"a% House e/i%s $o e

$hrea$e%e! si%4e Se$h $hou/h he 4a% "ai%$ai% 4o%$rol fails $o i"#ose

har"o%8. ,he fa"il8 feu! 1i$h Se$h fur$hers $he !e4l

House for Mr Biswas Notes

Documents