Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Swami's Feelings Towards Education
I found it particularly interesting that Swami was so different than Tambu, and kept making comparisons between the two novels in my head as we read. Even the opening of the novel begins with a description of Swami's reluctance to go to school, and to do his homework. Tambu was all about discipline and what she needed to do to get her education - she placed it above a lot of other things. I imagine if Tambu and Swami ever talked she would chide him for his lack of understanding at the importance of the opportunity he has been given! Also, when Swami later is easily caught up in the protests, he reminds me more of Tambu's younger sister, who also became politically involved while Tambu focused on her education. Now it is a little different, because I don't think Swami did it for these grandiose, patriotic reasons as Tambu's younger sister might have, but nonetheless Tambu would not have put her education in jeopardy for much of anything, let alone an opportunity to knock out some windows with stones.
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I think the contrast between Swami and Tambu concerning studies is pretty striking as well. While you found Swami to be similar to Tambu's sister, I think him and Tambu share some characteristics as well. For instance, both of them want to impress people who symbolize Westernization. In Tambu's case, it is her teachers, white peers, and even Babamukuru's family. In Swami's case, it is Rajam.
ReplyDeleteI think there is comparisons abound between these two novels and can’t disagree with either of these assessments. Both novels take the colonial education system as their stage and both have similar characterizations of the smart kid, the lazy kid, the clueless kid, or intimidating school teacher/administrator. Narayan’s novel certainly doesn’t center on the driven student-narrative, although it does it have one in Sankar who is considered, “the most brilliant boy in the class.” Had Narayan given more of the novel’s attention to Sankar perhaps comparisons with Tambu would have arisen.
ReplyDeleteI think for Swami, school is more about socialization, and for Tambu it is more about success. Perhaps this is what drives Swami to be active in the protests. Swami lacks the internal drive to better himself (who really has that as his age?) whereas Tambu is firm in hers. You're right, she would probably chide him. And its interesting to consider wether Swami really is wasting and opportunity or not. I think I read this novel just accepting that Swami went to school instead of thinking that its an opportunity that he even gets to go to school. However how you define "opportunity" is controversial.
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