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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
While reading this I've been thinking quite a bit about Sriram, the protagonist, who picks up a few key words and throws them around without really understanding them. Reading this now, in a time when India seems to be going through formative events again and being faced with someone like Sriram is an eerie coincidence to say the least. Other than that, there is quite a bit to unpack in the novel: the figure of Gandhi, his relationship with the women and the idea of nationhood, large idealistic concepts and their connection to people-or well the eternal debate surrounding theory and practice.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 ***
After finishing *Waiting for the Mahatma* by R.K. Narayan, I’ve been reflecting on its nuanced portrayal of pre-independence India. The novel, narrated from Sriram’s first-person perspective, offers an intricate look at personal and national transformation.
**Narrative Perspective and Characterization:**
Sriram’s narration provides a personal lens into the era’s upheaval. His internal conflicts and evolving understanding of the political landscape are conveyed with depth. Narayan captures Sriram’s journey from youthful naivety to political consciousness effectively. However, while Sriram’s character is well-developed, his personal growth sometimes feels overshadowed by the broader historical context, making his transformation less impactful than it could have been.
**Historical Context:**
The novel integrates historical events with Sriram’s experiences, making the political struggle relatable. However, the focus on Sriram’s personal narrative occasionally detracts from a more comprehensive exploration of the independence movement. The historical backdrop is vivid but sometimes feels secondary to the personal story.
**Themes and Symbolism:**
Themes of personal and national freedom, as well as the tension between tradition and change, are central to the novel. Gandhi’s role is symbolic, representing both hope and the complexities of political ideology. While these themes are compelling, they are explored in a somewhat uneven manner, with some aspects feeling underdeveloped.
**Narrative Style:**
Narayan’s prose is clear and engaging, blending humor with philosophical reflection. While this style adds charm to the narrative, it occasionally shifts focus away from deeper exploration of the historical and political themes. The balance between personal narrative and historical context sometimes feels off, impacting the novel’s overall impact.
**Overall Assessment:**
*Waiting for the Mahatma* is a thoughtfully written novel that combines personal and political narratives. However, the personal story often takes precedence over a more detailed exploration of historical events. While Sriram’s character is engaging, the novel’s focus on individual experience sometimes diminishes its broader historical significance. I rate it 3.5 out of 5. The book is insightful but leaves some gaps in its historical and thematic exploration.
After finishing *Waiting for the Mahatma* by R.K. Narayan, I’ve been reflecting on its nuanced portrayal of pre-independence India. The novel, narrated from Sriram’s first-person perspective, offers an intricate look at personal and national transformation.
**Narrative Perspective and Characterization:**
Sriram’s narration provides a personal lens into the era’s upheaval. His internal conflicts and evolving understanding of the political landscape are conveyed with depth. Narayan captures Sriram’s journey from youthful naivety to political consciousness effectively. However, while Sriram’s character is well-developed, his personal growth sometimes feels overshadowed by the broader historical context, making his transformation less impactful than it could have been.
**Historical Context:**
The novel integrates historical events with Sriram’s experiences, making the political struggle relatable. However, the focus on Sriram’s personal narrative occasionally detracts from a more comprehensive exploration of the independence movement. The historical backdrop is vivid but sometimes feels secondary to the personal story.
**Themes and Symbolism:**
Themes of personal and national freedom, as well as the tension between tradition and change, are central to the novel. Gandhi’s role is symbolic, representing both hope and the complexities of political ideology. While these themes are compelling, they are explored in a somewhat uneven manner, with some aspects feeling underdeveloped.
**Narrative Style:**
Narayan’s prose is clear and engaging, blending humor with philosophical reflection. While this style adds charm to the narrative, it occasionally shifts focus away from deeper exploration of the historical and political themes. The balance between personal narrative and historical context sometimes feels off, impacting the novel’s overall impact.
**Overall Assessment:**
*Waiting for the Mahatma* is a thoughtfully written novel that combines personal and political narratives. However, the personal story often takes precedence over a more detailed exploration of historical events. While Sriram’s character is engaging, the novel’s focus on individual experience sometimes diminishes its broader historical significance. I rate it 3.5 out of 5. The book is insightful but leaves some gaps in its historical and thematic exploration.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Despite being a devoted follower of Gandhi, Sriram understands very little of Gandhi's philosophy. And it seems to be true for everyone except Gandhi's immediate circle. And there must have been little to interest a villager in national politics, leave alone abstracts concepts like independence or nonviolence. Sriram is in it mostly for his own selfish interest like most young volunteers - which in this case happens to be his love for Bharti, a young girl full of patriotism who waits on Gandhi. While everyone seems to like him, very few actually seem to understood his philosophy. His presence in novel is felt even in pages where he is absent. The very names of two main characters, Bharti and Sriram being Gandhi's two obsessions.
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Starting with the book, going from the title, this was not the type of story which I had been expecting. What came to mind was a sort of semiautobiographical novel, perhaps with a standalone for the writer, going through spiritual or ideological crisis, looking towards the symbolic shadow of the Mahatma, for guidance and purpose.
Come to think of it, that is a good premise for a book.
But what we instead got, is the retellings of national events towards the end of the Indian freedom struggle, till the assassination of Gandhi (spoiler), through the lens of everyday characters, at the ground level.
Which again would be a good premise for a story, and for the most part, it is a good story. Just, one can't seem to get behind our protagonist, and main POV character Shriram, who, for most of the book, comes across as a spoiled, entitled, shallow, sanctimonious, patronizing brat, whose loyalties and moralities shift swifter than a weathervane on a windy day.
Add to that, how all of his motivations stem from being infatuated with a girl, to impress whom he joins the volunteer corps of Gandhi lends him as inauthentic and sort of a charlatan. He is, to borrow a term of modern sensibilities, a simp.
Seeing as how he didn't have any genuine loyalties to Gandhi & the non-violent movement, it is no surprise that he becomes swayed and manipulated by other forces to undertake morally ill formed activities. Even towards the very end of the story, he is materialistic and hedonistic to a degree, caring only about shackling the object of his desire to himself.
It is laughable at how ignorant he comes across, in regard to the ever changing, volatile and era defining societal political movement around him, while only being embroiled in his own petty desires and fantasies. Quite painful to watch.
-------
What works?
Despite having reservations about the protagonist, what kept me reading until the end was of course the simple, yet effective writing that Mr. Narayan employs.
He is able to write conversations featuring characters of various backgrounds in easy to understand yet nuanced manner, keeping true to their rural aesthetic and mannerisms. Minor and supporting characters feel as if they are organic and engage in conversations without any jarring incongruities.
And as much as I rail on Shriram the main character, his mannerisms, behavior and inner thoughts, as shallow and materialistic as they be, are also portrayed quite well. His daftness and delusional mindset totally detached from reality, are infuriating and intriguing in the same level.
The story, as mentioned before, also serves as a parallel narrative to the large socio-political changes which were taking place during the era. As well as given some insights as to the ranging reactions that people of various strata of the populace had, in regard to the freedom movement.
It accurately portrays the apathy that large sections of the Indian society had towards this whole affair. Whether the rule changes from the British to Indians, they were only concerned about their day-to-day livelihood, putting food on the table, and the happenings of their narrow sphere of activity.
This level of political myopia and indifference is something which plagues considerable portions of India to this day; a sentiment that is capitalized and exploited by political ideologies stirring up popular sentiments on casteist and religious grounds.
In conclusion, waiting for the Mahatma is a story is worth a read, if only for Mr. Narayan's deft hands behind the printed word. What you may get out of it, would vary, from good to bad.
Come to think of it, that is a good premise for a book.
But what we instead got, is the retellings of national events towards the end of the Indian freedom struggle, till the assassination of Gandhi (spoiler), through the lens of everyday characters, at the ground level.
Which again would be a good premise for a story, and for the most part, it is a good story. Just, one can't seem to get behind our protagonist, and main POV character Shriram, who, for most of the book, comes across as a spoiled, entitled, shallow, sanctimonious, patronizing brat, whose loyalties and moralities shift swifter than a weathervane on a windy day.
Add to that, how all of his motivations stem from being infatuated with a girl, to impress whom he joins the volunteer corps of Gandhi lends him as inauthentic and sort of a charlatan. He is, to borrow a term of modern sensibilities, a simp.
Seeing as how he didn't have any genuine loyalties to Gandhi & the non-violent movement, it is no surprise that he becomes swayed and manipulated by other forces to undertake morally ill formed activities. Even towards the very end of the story, he is materialistic and hedonistic to a degree, caring only about shackling the object of his desire to himself.
It is laughable at how ignorant he comes across, in regard to the ever changing, volatile and era defining societal political movement around him, while only being embroiled in his own petty desires and fantasies. Quite painful to watch.
-------
What works?
Despite having reservations about the protagonist, what kept me reading until the end was of course the simple, yet effective writing that Mr. Narayan employs.
He is able to write conversations featuring characters of various backgrounds in easy to understand yet nuanced manner, keeping true to their rural aesthetic and mannerisms. Minor and supporting characters feel as if they are organic and engage in conversations without any jarring incongruities.
And as much as I rail on Shriram the main character, his mannerisms, behavior and inner thoughts, as shallow and materialistic as they be, are also portrayed quite well. His daftness and delusional mindset totally detached from reality, are infuriating and intriguing in the same level.
The story, as mentioned before, also serves as a parallel narrative to the large socio-political changes which were taking place during the era. As well as given some insights as to the ranging reactions that people of various strata of the populace had, in regard to the freedom movement.
It accurately portrays the apathy that large sections of the Indian society had towards this whole affair. Whether the rule changes from the British to Indians, they were only concerned about their day-to-day livelihood, putting food on the table, and the happenings of their narrow sphere of activity.
This level of political myopia and indifference is something which plagues considerable portions of India to this day; a sentiment that is capitalized and exploited by political ideologies stirring up popular sentiments on casteist and religious grounds.
In conclusion, waiting for the Mahatma is a story is worth a read, if only for Mr. Narayan's deft hands behind the printed word. What you may get out of it, would vary, from good to bad.
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Some remarkable quotes here and there, but nothing else stood out for me.
An interesting read, although I found it a bit sad the main character was so easily led into things he didn't really understand just because he had fallen in love with a girl, which also led to him neglecting his grandmother who had raised him.