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Unit 5: The Vendor of Sweets by R K Narayan

In The Vendor of Sweets, Narayan adopts a Selective Omniscient point of view; it is the Notes
father–son relationship or the conflict of two generations, which plays the dominant role
in developing the action and shaping the narrative.
Jagan is the most vibrant character of the novel from the first page to the last. Mali, his son
who returned from America with a half-American half-Korean girl whom he reported as
his wife and later said he never married, had been something of a sensation disturbing the
placid waters of Malgudi. However, Mali is insignificant when compared to his father.

To provide the full view of Jagan’s life and character, Narayan uses “flash on” and flash
back techniques.

The novel depicts the opposition between two value systems—spiritualistic and
materialistic—operating in the post-colonial Indian society.
The Gandhian principles of self-reliance, ahimsa, as well as the dignity of labour are
established in Jagan’s way of life.

5.9 Keywords

Bhagavadgita: A long poem composed between the 2nd century BC and the 2nd century AD and
is a part of the epic Mahabharata. Also called Gita, the poem is in the form of dialogues Prince
Arjuna and his divine charioteer Krishna.
Contemptuous: A feeling that shows something or someone is worthless and beneath
consideration.
Irony: The expression of one is meaning by using language that generally indicates the opposite,
typically for emphatic or humorous effect.
Ostensibly: As stated or seems to be true, but not necessarily so.
Paternal Love: Love, kindness and care associated with a father.
Renunciation: The rejection of something.
Satyagraha: A policy of inactive political struggle, specifically the one supported by Mahatma
Gandhi against the British rule in India.

5.10 Review Questions

1. Evaluate The Vendor of Sweets as a unique Indian English novel.
2. Draw a character sketch of Mali.

3. Write a detailed analysis on the character of Jagan.
4. Analyse the themes in The Vendor of Sweets.
5. How is Gandhian philosophy an integral part of the story? What does it signify?

6. Describe the conflict between spirituality and materialism in all the novels of R K Narayan,
especially The Vendor of Sweets.
7. Explain the theme of order and disorder in the story.

8. Discuss the title of The Vendor of Sweets.
9. Critically analyse the character of Mali.
10. Tradition and modernity is finely blended in The Vendor of Sweets. Elaborate.

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