Question

R.K Narayan's story "A Horse and Two Goats" effectively uses humour to bring out the cultural conflict between the East and the West. Discuss and give suitable examples from the story

Answer 1

Answer:

In  R.K. Naraya's story A Horse and Two Goats the themes of confusion, tradition, culture, identity, arrogance and conflict are embedded.

Explanation:

The American is speaking in English while Muni is speaking in Tamil. In their interaction, one get the feeling that both of them do not understand each other.As the American  pets the goats Muni contemplates that the discussion he has had with the American is about the American purchasing his goats.

The American  wishes to purchase the horse as a trophy for his own pleasure and hold no interest in the history or tradition that comes with the horse.

In the West, people believe they can purchase anything if the price is right.In the East, people place significant symbolic and cultural values to things.

In the story both men have a langauge barrier between them that prevents them form communicating effectively.