Comment on the use of humour and irony in the story karma
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"Karma" is a story written by Indian writer Khushwant Singh. It was originally published in 1989 in Singh's The Collected Stories. Karma is about an Indian "Gentleman" who tries to adopt upper class English culture and lifestyle such as speaking the "Queen's English", and about his relation with his wife etc.
Theme
The story Karma illustrates the famous proverb "Pride Comes Before a Fall". It is the story of an arrogant person who feels bad about his country's culture, lifestyle etc. He is condescending to his wife because she is an ordinary woman unable to appreciate his aristocratic English culture. Others are: Imitation of foreign culture Unhappy married life Contrast of culture and life-style Aristocracy and patriotism
Plot
Mohan Lal is a middle-aged man who works in the British Raj. He is ashamed to be an Indian and hence he tries to speak in English or in Anglicized Hindustani and dresses up as a high-ranked British official. He fills crossword puzzles, to show off his immense knowledge of English. His wife Lachmi is a traditional Indian woman and due to this difference they don't have a sweet married life.
The important event occurs on a journey of Mohan Lal and Lachmi in a train. He makes Lachmi sit in the general compartment while he gets his seat arranged in the first class compartment, which was meant for the British. There he meets two British soldiers who try to abuse him. When the arrogant Mohan Lal opposes them, he is thrown out of the train. He could only look through the rails on the moving train.
Characters
Sir Mohan Lal - An arrogant middle-aged man
Lady Lal - An ordinary Indian woman who happens to be the wife of Mohan Lal and loves to chew on Betel Leaves
A bearer
A porter
Two British soldiers.(Bill and Jim)
hopes it help you