Untouchable By Mulk Raj Anand Summary

Mulk Raj Anand's classic novel, Untouchable, is a stunningly accurate portrait of poverty and the trials of colonial rule in India. It follows the story of Bakha, an 'untouchable' who is neglected by society and is forced to live a life of servitude to his caste and downtrodden by his circumstance. Anand vividly represents Bakha's life, struggles, and oppression within a caste system, an all too familiar story of poverty and social injustice in India.

The novel opens with the depiction of Bakha, a young twelve-year-old 'untouchable' who is rejected by his peers and society for his social position. He is forced to live in the city of 'Gulabdas,' which is the heart of his caste. He works as a sweeper for the city, sweeping the streets, removing garbage, and hauling filth from upper-class dwellings. He is deeply aware of the injustice of his position, and he laments his situation:

"Oh, God! How long can I go on being a sweeper? How long shall I remain an outcast, an Untouchable - despised by all?"

Bakha experienced hatred and humiliation from the upper classes, who saw him as an impurity and despised him for his existence. Throughout his daily chores, he was subject to verbal abuse, horrendous insults, and physical threats from the people of Gulabdas. He was excluded from the public baths, so he was often dirty and forced to endure a life of suffering in inadequate clothing that was barely suitable for the cold and wet winter.

Despite his miserable life, he was fortunate enough to have the protection of two young upper-class Hindu boys who took him under their wing. Unbeknownst to Bakha, they often protected him from further harm and treated him kindly. The two were also studying and opened up to Bakha about his unpleasant grade in school, which indicated to him a lack of knowledge, as opposed to a lack of character or moral capability. Bakha's teacher, Kadha, had also instilled a strong sense of self-awareness in Bakha, whom he saw as more capable and thoughtful than most of his peers.

Bakha was also given a glimpse of freedom when he was sent to fetch water for his family. He could look upon his surroundings with a newfound appreciation and admiration for its beauty.

A chance meeting with a young 'untouchable' girl, Sohini, further opened his eyes to the fact that they were all living under a system of great inequality and injustice. Sohini was able to express and understand her oppression in a way that brought Bakha to a greater understanding. She highlighted how caste prevented any possibility of progress for 'untouchables' and that not even the educated were receiving an equal chance in life because of caste restrictions.

The novel then shifts to a public meeting in which Bakha's plight is discussed. The upper classes and officials discuss the harms that have resulted from the neglect of 'untouchables.' Bakha's father spoke about how a lack of education had resulted in a lack of understanding of Indian culture, setting on their minds "the idea that, since they had inherited the stigma of untouchability, nothing that was great or beautiful or noble could be theirs."

Bakha was also able to challenge the colonial caste system in a revolutionary manner when he refused to accept a mango a young upper-class boy offered him. Instead of taking it, he boldly threw it back and asked the boy why he was offering it to him in the first place. This scene symbolizes Bakha's newfound awareness and defiance of the oppressive colonial rule and caste system.

The novel highlights how much Bakha grew and evolved through the course of his struggles and his relationships. Through his conversations and interactions, Bakha learned of alternate worldviews. With Sohini, he explored the idea of humanity as something outside the boundaries of caste. This allowed him to realize that he was not as different from the upper classes as he was made to believe.

The novel concludes when Bakha is offered a job as a teacher. This symbolizes how Bakha has broken societal chains and has been elevated to power and responsibility. He can now see the world with new eyes: "The small black pupil of his eyes dilated and saw in the future a great promise, something majestic and glorious."

Mulk Raj Anand's classic novel, Untouchable, is a powerful representation of poverty, social injustice, and the oppression of 'untouchables' under British colonial rule in India. Through the story of Bakha, Anand paints a vivid picture of how villagers experienced daily discrimination and mistreatment. He emphasizes how Bakha's understanding of himself was shaped by his environment and how his spirit shone through despite all his adversities. Ultimately, Bakha will learn that despite being an 'untouchable,' he can still make a difference in society and be accepted.

Mulk Raj Anand's novel 'Untouchable' draws us into the life of an Indian man named Bakha, a sweeper belonging to the 'Harijan' caste - considered untouchable by other castes. Through Bakha's eyes, we gain an intimate insight into India's caste system's cruel and unjust reality, which subjects members of certain castes to terrible discrimination and deprivation.

The narrative begins in Agra, near the river Jumna, where Bakha's daily life starts from dawn. He works on the streets as a sweeper, clearing human excrement and cleaning the public restrooms. All of this is done to the accompaniment of abuse and ridicule from the public; no one dares to touch or even look him in the eyes.

Bakha's work makes him exhausted and depressed, but it also serves as a moral reminder of his fate as an untouchable.

While at work, Bakha meets a Sikh missionary called Gurdit Singh, who expresses his disgust at the treatment Bakha is receiving. The meeting causes a spark of hope in Bakha and leads him to contemplate change and self-improvement. That afternoon, Bakha comes across Narendra Singh, an upper-class member who is determined to educate him and explains the immorality of the caste system.

This sets off a chain of events for Bakha. He decides to join the Mission school, which Gurdit Singh runs. He even begins challenging some oppressive practices, such as manual scavenging.

However, this doesn't sit well with his family, where his sister Sohini is still the victim of discrimination, and his father drinks heavily in anger at the hopelessness of their lives.

The novel follows its characters through a series of confrontations and tests that cause them to reflect on their faith in humanity and presents the possibility of reform and resistance to the oppressive traditions of the caste system.

Throughout the narrative, Anand powerfully conveys the unfairness and immorality of the social structure. He does this by providing insightful details about Bakha's life and the pain he experiences daily.

At the same time, Anand also goes beyond this to suggest that the system of social discrimination is not just a matter of personal misery but a deeply entrenched and complex political structure.

At a more significant level, Anand considers the potential for change, highlighting the potential for reform and questioning the possibility of positive transformation. He does this through Bakha's journey of change and education, where he overcomes his ignorance and learns to question his place in society.

Ultimately, Anand suggests that lasting change must come from within, from the individual's willingness to question and reject the unjust notions of caste. In this way, Anand's 'Untouchable' is a poignant call to action that invites readers to consider not only the problem of social inequality but also potential solutions and serves as a reminder that the death of a society lies in its denial of reform.