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Unit 7: An Astrologer’s Day by R.K. Narayan

7.5.3 Characterisation Notes

The method of characterization adopted by the author is a combination of expository and
dramatic.
There are three characters in the story:

1. The Astrologer: The protagonist is an astrologer. The astrologer’s name is never mentioned
and it doesn’t really matter that the reader knows it. He is a ‘round character’ with various
facets of the personality being revealed and the character evolved with the development
of the plot.

The appearance of the astrologer is very well described by the author.
“His forehead was resplendent with sacred ash and vermilion and his eyes sparkled
with a sharp abnormal gleam” which his simple clients took to be prophetic light
and felt comforted.
“Half-wit’s eyes would sparkle in such a setting”.

“To crown the effect he wound a saffron-coloured turban around his head. This
colour scheme never failed. People were attracted to him as bees are attracted to
cosmos or dahlia stalks”.
The only thing the astrologer didn’t know anything about was ‘Astrology’ but he was
intelligent and had his crafty ways to go about his profession. He had a working analysis
of mankind’s troubles and told the person before him, gazing at his palm:
“In many ways you are not getting the fullest results of your efforts”.
“Most of your troubles are due to your nature……Saturn……You have an impetuous
nature and a rough exterior”.
These talks endeared to almost everyone’s hearts immediately.
Clever as he was, he never opened for at least ten minutes which provided him enough
stuff for “a dozen answers and advices”.
2. A prospective client of the Astrologer: The prospective client happened to be the person
the astrologer had stabbed and left for being dead when they were youngsters. Therefore
he was restless, furious and was searching for his assailant to take revenge. The astrologer
recognized him but the he could not recognize his assailant in the garb of an astrologer.
His name, ‘Guru Nayak’, is revealed when the astrologer was unravelling his past.
He plays a pivotal role in the development and climax of the plot.

3. Astrologer’s wife: Though a minuscule role, the astrologer’s wife plays an important part
in the denouement of the story, helping the astrologer take the great load off his chest.
Is this character absolutely required in the story? The author could have eliminated this
role altogether and allowed the astrologer heave a sigh of relief by talking to his conscience
but confiding and sharing his relief with his wife brings the characters to life.

!
Caution Remember that it is only at the end of the story that the astrologer is given an
individuality that makes him a distinctive figure. Also, in the story he interacts only with
two characters: the first, a passer-by who seeks his advice about the future. The relation
between the two is purely functional, and there would be no need for the person to
address the astrologer by name. The second is the astrologer’s wife, who speaks to him at

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