Compare the characters and philosophies of
Krishna and the Headmaster./ Critically analyse the character of the
Headmaster. Does his vision offer a model for Krishna to follow? Does his
school offer an alternative model to that of the mainstream education?
Although both Krishna and the Headmaster are in the same
profession of teaching their outlook and philosophies on school and the
schooling system are contrasting. While the former is dissatisfied with his
teaching profession the latter loves it passionately. Krishna works at Albert
Mission College for a "monthly wage of 100 rupees" for a comfortable
life, viewing his profession as superficial because the purpose of education is
"to pass exams.... mugging up Shakespeare before teaching". There
comes a time when Krishna feels he can "no longer stuff Shakespeare and
Elizabethan metre and Romantic poetry" in fact he believes they are
becoming "strangers to their own culture and camp followers of another
culture." He finds nothing inspiring in his chosen profession and teaches
it without emotion. He "doesn't care about these children" all
he does is to make them sit in rows and "take attendance" every
lesson and is flooded with the "greatest relief" when the bell rings
to signify the end of a lesson. This is a very Westernised way of portraying
school and schooling and Narayan tries to mock this as it gives an impression
that he does not agree with the system.
When Krishna is introduced to the reader in the opening paragraph
of the novel, his character comes across as excessively self critical
with extreme reactions to life, comparing himself to a "cow" who is
dull and sits around regurgitating much like his own routines, which are
described as fairly mundane and lacklustre. His dry sense of humour comes
to light when mentioning even a "cow might feel hurt at the comparison".
Krishna seems to be stifled with excessive order and routine further
illustrating his dissatisfaction and wants to "cultivate new habits",
thus looking for energy and vigour through his "morning walk". As an
English educated Indian Krishna feels he is "eating, working,
speaking, walking, talking ...to perfection" trying to fit in the
Western system and mannerisms as a result constantly reflecting his own actions
and the pretentious life which frustrates him thus creating
pessimism...........................................................................................................................
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