missing mail sumary
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I hope that help u The Missing Mail: Summary. The story "The Missing Mail" centers round Thanappa, a conscientious postman. He holds personal relationships dearer than his duty. He feels personally involved in the lives of the people of Vinayak Mudali Street.
n The Missing Mail by R.K. Narayan we have the theme of tradition, desperation, power, control, humanity and honesty. Taken from his Malgudi Days collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that Narayan may be exploring the theme of tradition. Kamakshi is to be married yet she is not allowed to choose her own husband. That task falls on to her father who is under pressure from his own father to find a husband for Kamakshi. This may be important as Narayan’s intentions may be to highlight to the reader the system of marriage that existed (and possibly still exists) at the time the story was written. Young women were not allowed to choose their own husbands with the responsibility falling on the young woman’s father. There is also a sense of desperation in the story. Something that becomes clear when Ramanujam begins to panic about finding a husband for Kamakshi. It is also noticeable that Thanappa wields a lot of power through his role as postman. He knows everybody’s business and while some critics might suggest he is being nosey Thanappa himself most likely considers that he is being helpful or friendly. Thanappa also seems to live for his job as a postman. The luxury it affords him sits comfortably with Thanappa. He is able to talk to everyone and get to know them a little better.
In reality Thanappa likes to be part of the community. He likes to know how people are doing or how they might be feeling. Though again he appears to read an awful lot of other people’s mail which some critics might suggest is an invasion of privacy. There doesn’t appear to be any distinct line drawn as to what Thanappa can do and want he can’t do when it comes to the mail. Which may be the point that Narayan is attempting to make. He may be suggesting that the role of the post man is a powerful role. Thanappa also has an ability to console those who might not have received the letter they were expecting. This may be significant as it suggests that Thanappa has a degree of understanding or humanity when it comes to other people’s disappointment. Similarly when he holds back the news of Ramanujam’s uncle’s death the reader suspects that there is no malice involved. Thanappa’s motivation has been to ensure that Kamakshi’s wedding is not ruined.