Discuss The setting of the short story 'The Gold Frame'
Answers
Answer:
The Gold Frame is a short story written by the cartoonist, R.K.Laxman. In this story the writer tries to bring out the characteristics of Indian middle class. The hypocrisy and false prestige, typical to middle class are well exposed in this story. The style of the story is consistent with the theme of humour.
The Modern Frame Works is an extra-large wooden packing case placed in-between two other shops. Datta, the owner of the Modern Frame Works, is the central figure in the story. He was a lean man with silver-rimmed glasses and the colour of seasoned timber. He was a silent and hardworking man. He spoke very little and discouraged casual friends and idle gossip.
Once a customer approaches Datta to get an old photograph framed in the best possible frame. He respects, admires and praises the old man which makes one believe that the man in the photograph must have been an ideal human being. The customer is great for his ability to recognize and respect such humanity. The customer has no will of his own so Datta comes to his rescue to help him select a proper frame. With his help he selects cut mount for his photograph. The customer talks as if it were his life's mission to get the photograph framed but he does not even likes to pay the price quoted by Datta. After getting the price and date settled he goes away.
His customers came days in advance and went away disappointed or came months later. Some never turned up at all and their pictures lay unclaimed in a box. Thus Datta would not begin his work unless his customers came twice before the date of due. His tall and rustic looking customer appeared after ten days to see the progress in work. When Datta grasped the interest of his customer in the frame he took out the photograph to frame it. Datta accidentally spills enamel paint on the sacred photograph of the customer. He tries to rub it with a piece of cloth but the figure peels off. The respectable old man's face turned into thick black specks sticking to the enamel smeared on the piece of closth in his hand. Datta was afraid of the consequences. Every nerve in his head throbbed as if it would tear apart if he did not hold it down. Datta thought of alternate solutions like framing another photograph. Luckily he found one with which he could take a fair risk. In his confusion Datta frames square frame while the customer has ordered an oval frame. This in a way saves Datta. The customer questions the frame and not the photograph itself, thereby saving Datta. This results in humour.
This story reveals the cunning nature of Datta. R.K.Laxman depicts the cunning nature of Datta. R.K.Laxman depicts the customer as a fool. The customer agrees upon the price though he feels it to be high. After all the lavish praise, a bargain over the price would make him still foolish. So his veneration for the old man as well as his willingness to pay any price for the frame is both dubious. Data is saved by the foolishness of the customer rather than by his own experience or cleverness. Thus the story The Gold Frame has suspense, irony, and humour resulting from the theme, characterization.
Explanation: