India Short story

1. Karma
By Khushwant Singh

2. Khushwant Singh
• Born on Ferbruary 2, 1915
• Died March 20, 2014 (99 yrs. Old)
• Indian Novelist and Journalist
• Padma bhushan Awardee (second highest
civilian award in India)

3. Synopsis
• Mohan Lal was a middle-aged man who
worked in the British Raj. He was
ashamed to be an Indian and hence he
tried to speak in English or in Anglicized
Hindustani and to dress as if a high-
ranked British official. He used to fill the
crossword puzzles of newspapers, which
he did to show his immense knowledge in
English. His wife Lachmi was a traditional
Indian woman and due to this difference
they were not having a sweet married life.

4. • The important event occurred on a journey
of Mohan Lal and Lachmi in a train. Mohan
Lal made her sit in the general
compartment and arranged his seat in first
class compartment, which was meant for
British. There he saw two British soldiers
who tried to abuse him. When the arrogant
Mohan Lal tried to oppose, he was thrown
out of the train. He could only look through
the rails on the moving train.

5. Theme
The story Karma illustrates the famous
proverb "Pride Comes Before a Fall". It is
the story of an arrogant person who feels
bad about his country's culture, lifestyle
etc. He is condescending to his wife
because she is an ordinary woman unable
to appreciate his aristocratic English
culture.

6. Plot
• Mohan Lal was a middle-aged man who
worked in the British Raj. He was ashamed to
be an Indian and hence he tried to speak in
English or in Anglicized Hindustani and to
dress as if a high-ranked British official. He
used to fill the crossword puzzles of
newspapers, which he did to show his
immense knowledge in English. His wife
Lachmi was a traditional Indian woman and
due to this difference they were not having a
sweet married life.

7. • The important event occurred on a journey
of Mohan Lal and Lachmi in a train. Mohan
Lal made her sit in the general
compartment and arranged his seat in first
class compartment, which was meant for
British. There he saw two British soldiers
who tried to abuse him. When the arrogant
Mohan Lal tried to oppose, he was thrown
out of the train. He could only look through
the rails on the moving train.

8. Point of Illumination
• When Sir Mohan Lal was thrown out
of the train, maybe he realizes that he
must not welcome the two English
soldier and let them to look for space.
And maybe if he joins his wife she will
have a safe journey.

9. Message/ Implication
• It is not bad embracing different
culture even though it is not your
native one, but what is really
unacceptable is embracing other
culture and forgetting your own
culture.
• Love, respect and value your culture.

10. Reviewed by:
Ringgit Espiritu Aguilar
BSEd-III English