Childhood

Narayan’s complete acceptance of life and its happenings is something that children accept in their world. Swami seems to be the antithesis of an average kid, not too stupid or too intelligent, animated or boring, a goody-goody or a bully. Every page is significant in respect for the character; nothing is arbitrary for in some way it will all help shape Swami as an adolescent, especially his relationship with his parents. Unlike other novels we’ve read, Swami’s mother does not seem as large a figure in his life as I would of expected. A strong, willful matriarch seems to be a caveat for books on colonialism. Also, Swami’s relationship with his father, who leaves little to be desired, shows the disjointedness displayed when an adult is not on the same playing field as a kid or vice versa. Lastly, childhood friendships mean the world to Swami. Even though Swami is being raised in India during the 1930s, his likes/dislikes, daily challenges and indecisive nature are very similar to a majority of children. At least for me, I can remember when things spoken beyond my neighborhood seemed to so foreign and I never gave a second thought about when I was hanging out with my friends. It is interesting now that I am older to see where my friendships broke off and of unfulfilled promises to keep in touch was lost. I don’t think that I cared all that much after a few days without them, I simply moved on. Contrast with today, I make more of an effort to keep what few good friendships maintained.