Question

What is the author s attitude in toasted english by R K Narayan

Answer 1

Narayan (1906-2001) was born and grown up in a period when English education was already institutionalised in the Indian Sub-continent. Like other Indian writers in English, such as Raja Rao and Mulk Raj Anand, he received English education and used to write in English from the beginning of his literary career up to the end. However, he is seen to have used the English language and literary form to scrutinise colonialism and depict the Indian society continually under change due to the colonial rule. A part of this endeavour seems to be evident in Narayan's attitude towards the English language. Narayan's position in this regard is deemed quite ambivalent and complex -he is aware that English is the language of the colonist, yet he is found to have accepted it for practical reasons. That is, his attitude towards the English language appears to have resulted from and shaped by the reality prevailing in the postcolonial setting.

Answer 2

The authors attitude is positive towards English as he wants it to become the language of common man.

Explanation:

• A part of grasping nature seems to be evident in Narayan's attitude towards the English language.
• Narayan's position in this regard is quite ambivalent and complex.
• He is aware that English is the language of the Englishmen, yet he found to have accepted it for practical reasons
• In the "Toasted English" the author points the reality of society and how it should be.
• The author said that the britishers are thrown away from the country by the Indian, but kept the english in them.
• According to the author R.K. Narayan, 'toasted English' refers to English muffins which, though being made in America, now retain 'English' as a sort of concession to their origin.
• In toasted English, Narayan feels that the time has come when English should come out in the open and become the language of the common man.

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