write a book review on swami and friends by R.K Narayan.Write a summary of the book and the character that impressed you the most in about 250 words.
Answers
While sitting on the bank of the Sarayu one August evening, Swami and Mani encounter a large group of people protesting the arrest of a political worker. They listen to an activist saying that the people of India are slaves and should remember their own value and power. He asks the crowd to defy England and its rule, a speech that Swami and Mani find very moving. They get upset about Indian peasants and vow to boycott English goods, especially certain kinds of cloth made by particularly despicable Englishmen. Mani tells Swami that he is wearing a coat made of that English cloth, which makes Swami feel ashamed. A bonfire is lit and the crowd begins to throw articles of clothing into it, and when someone points out that Swami is wearing a foreign cap, he throws it into the fire “with a feeling that he was saving the country.”
This chapter sets in motion the clear turning point in Swami’s changing understanding of the world around him. For the first time, he takes to heart the impact that English colonization has on his country, and he eagerly allies himself with the independence movement even without really understanding what he’s doing. His sense of agency remains shallow, as he feels that he has saved the country just by burning his cap, but his emotional commitment is genuine and meaningful, showing a new maturity in Swami’s development as an autonomous individual.
Themes
The Political and the Personal Under British Colonial Rule Theme Icon Innocence, Family, and Growing Up Theme Icon
Related Quotes
Blue quotation bubble icon linking to an important quote associated with this summary and analysis.
The next day Swami wakes up feeling anxious and remembers that he has no cap to wear for school. He leaves for school anyway and is happily surprised to find a crowd blocking the gate of the school. A student tells Swami that the school is closed due to the jailing of the political worker, and Swami is relieved that he won’t get in trouble for not wearing his cap. He sees the Mission School Headmaster and some of the teachers standing on the school veranda, calling for the students to go to their classes and threatening punishment.
The self-appointed leaders of the crowd of students yell that it is a “day of mourning” and should be observed in silence. However, other students are throwing rocks at the windows of the school. Swami joins in and he is excited to be able to break the ventilator in the Mission School Headmaster’s room, finding the experience of being in the crowd “thrilling.”
Someone runs into the crowd and announces that classes are happening at the Board High School, so the crowd, including Swami, moves to that school. A representative from the crowd asks the Board School Headmaster to close the school, but the headmaster refuses and threatens to call the police. The crowd angrily begins to vandalize the Board School, joined by many of its own students. Swami enthusiastically joins in the shouting and destruction, feeling happy at how much glass there is left to break. He even threatens the children in the school’s Infant Standards and stomps on the cap of one small child.
→
♦Swami and Friends by R.K Narayan is a beautiful depiction of the most memorable period - Childhood.
Set in the British colonial period , it is the story of Swami : a young lad of 10 and his gang. Swami is a lively and naughty boy who lives in Malgudi, a village in South India . His family includes his strict and stern father , his caring mother , grandmother and a newly born sibling.
He has his gang of mischievous lads which includes Somu, Sankar, Mani, and the Pea who is called so because of his size.
These are all time best friends who linger about the village , making mischief and playing pranks on people. Each of his friends has his own specialty. The scenario changes with the entry of a new friend Rajam who is The son of the superintendent . He is an intelligent boy , something that the boys resist and this ends in a short lived rivalry . But soon, he becomes a part of their gang.
Various short episodes are significant in showing the life of people in the village. How children used to make excuses to skip school, the mischief they indulged in and also about the gullible life that people of the village lead, unaware of the advancements made in the world!
The story is quite relatable for most of the people ! While reading it , the readers are forced to reminisce their own childhood . Seeing the world through the perspective of a ten year old boy , is sure to put a smile on the readers face.
→ I like the main protagonist Swami himself ! Someone whose perspective towards everything is quite unique . His habits and priorities are quite relatable for most of us. The funny pranks and mischief he plays upon people , how he lingers about the town , devises plans to escape school and almost hates exams - these are the things that appeal to most of the children and they can relate to his perspective of viewing day to day things . Also , his approach towards his friends is a thing we all need to have. Putting into nutshell , his character is quite appealing !
_____________________________________________________