Question

Critical Review Of The Story "The Serang Of Ranaganji".

Answer 1

INTRODUCTION:- This story is taken from ‘Adventures in two Worlds’, an autobiographical novel of Dr.A j Cronin. It is an anecdote from his experience as a surgeon in the Royal Navy of the Great Britain.

THEME

: Manage a potential calamity silently and bravely

: A voyage of self-discovery

: Dedication and greatness of mind

:Satire on snobbishness

MESSAGE:- Outward beauty is nothing but inward beauty is everlasting

CHARACTERS

SERANG:- (An Urdu word meaning a native indian boatswain – lascar) Hassan, hero of the story – a quarter-master – experienced seafaring life for 40 years – 15 years in this ship – muslim but secular in view – native of Punjab – awkward in physical apperance – courageous – self controlled – dedicated – duty bound – a man of few words – the finest man according to the captain – an animal according to Mis Jope Smith (these remarks reveal the character of the captain and the lady)

Miss. JOPE SMITH:- (A character in contrast with Serang) – one of the passangers in Ranaganji – a social promoter – aged over 30 but in a dashing style to look younger – a snob and a bore – judges people by their physical apperance

Dr. A J CRONIN:- Physician of the ship – in charge of health – inexperienced in profession but manages a crisis bravely – devoted to profession – daring – knows who is good or bad

CAPTAIN:- humble – aged about 55 – strict disciplinarian – just – cautious – fair minded.

PLOT:- During a voyage from Liverpool to Calcutta during the British rule in India, the author and the hero, Hasan manage a potential crisis, an epidemic, smallpox, when they were in the middle of the Arabian Sea