The Guide is a 1958 classic by Indian author( late) Padma Vibhushan R K Narayan. I read this 247 pages long novel recently , after a gap of nearly 20 years ,after the first reading .The Bollywood movie Guide continues to be my favourite movie.
Like all of us , it is about search for identity by Raju.What is the true identity of Raju?He finds it near the end of his life .It is the identity of a spiritual adviser.How does he find it? By self-abnegation, by doing something sincerely for others, Raju finds spiritual peace, and arrives at his true identity.He starts as a tourist guide , then becomes a guide to Rosie , the dancer, then a forgerer , then a model prisoner and finally a spiritual adviser , who sacrifices for others.In fact , having got spiritual peace on the eleventh day of fasting , he dies on the twelfth day.
The real issue between Rosie and her husband Marco was about dancing.Rosie had a natural flair and passion for dance but Marco was completely against her dancing .She wanted to be a faithful wife but dance was her identity.Ultimately she left both."Neither Marco nor I had any place in her life,which had its own sustaining vitality and which she herself had underestimated all along."(Page223).Once she realised her true identity , she set about to live accordingly , brooking no relationship or obstacle in the way.
The real issue between Rosie and her husband Marco was about dancing.Rosie had a natural flair and passion for dance but Marco was completely against her dancing .She wanted to be a faithful wife but dance was her identity.Ultimately she left both."Neither Marco nor I had any place in her life,which had its own sustaining vitality and which she herself had underestimated all along."(Page223).Once she realised her true identity , she set about to live accordingly , brooking no relationship or obstacle in the way.
2 comments:
A master-piece by RK Narayan, so well summarized in a few lines by Garg sir!
Thank you,Anil.
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