NAUKAR BY ANYA SITARAM SYNOPSIS This story is about the relationship of characters and their relationship with the

environment. The development of characters and their thoughts are affected by the presence of the naukar. The naukar is the subject of every occurrence and conflict. Julia Bannerjee, an English girl , is married to Nilkant Bannerjee, an Indian, and she lives in Calcutta which is reeked of poverty, death and confusion. She is terrified and apprehensive of venturing out into the roads swarming with animals, cars, buses and trams. One morning, a man comes to see her in search of a job as a naukar (servant). When she sees him she recognizes him as a rickshaw-wallah who had once sent her home and she had given him a huge tip. Despite her husbands disapproval, she takes the rickshaw-wallah as the servant and this also upsets the cook who was usually in-charge of selecting servants. On her first wedding anniversary, her mother-in-law gives her an expensive necklace which one day disappears. The police come and arrests the rickshawwallah as he is the prime suspect. After some torturing at the police station the rickshawwallah admits to stealing the necklace. Julia blames herself as she believes that he was tempted to take the necklace because of her own carelessness. She feels sorry for him. One day the police calls and informs that her necklace was actually stolen by a notorious burglar. The rickshaw-wallah is released. CHARACTERS Julia Bannerjee An English girl married to an Indian, Nilkant, and lives in Calcutta Generous, sympathetic, empathetic, thoughtful Good natured Persistent and argument Intelligent (he married her for her stimulating company) Her actions are just and she wants fair treatment. Kind - She makes allowances for the rickshaw-wallah and does not blame him totally. Silently rebels esp. when the rickshaw-wallah disappears for one week and after he returns. Has faith in her judgment. Strong headed Nilkant Bannerjee Rebellious and strong headed Prejudiced Arrogant and conventional in India compared to England Does not trust his wifes judgment Unfairly generalizes people esp. the down-trodden and poor. Cynical and short-tempered Vindictive

Over-suspicious and too cautious Insensitive and individualistic Discriminates his own kind Colonist attitude to a certain extent

Rickshaw-wallah Thin, puny waist, puny hips, thin poles of legs, angular kneecaps jutted out Poor, toiled very hard Wanted money as food, not food Honest, grateful Earned a meager income as a rickshaw-wallah, so looked for a better-paying job Worked as a servant at Julias house THEMES Social Prejudice Poverty and Hardship Cultural differences Survival Miscarriage of Justice Discrimination Making a difference in ones life SETTING Busy streets of Calcutta Nilkants and Julias house ISSUES Rough justice (Rich vs Poor, Cultural differences) Husband-wife relationship Honesty Faith ACTIVITIES 1. Show students a picture of a English girl in a crowded Indian city. Ask students how would they feel if they were in the girls shoes. 2. Group discussion Give their opinion on mix-marriages and what possible challenges would the couple face. 3. Mock trial 4. Write a dialogue between Julia and the rickshaw-wallah at the end of the story.

5. Dramatization Students act out a scene. Eg. When the rickshaw-wallah came to see Julia for a job. QUESTIONS a. She was always apprehensive. a white woman easy prey. Why was Julia always apprehensive? b. Why did Nilkant object to employing the rickshaw-wallah as a naukar? What made him finally give in and employ the rickshaw-wallah? Discuss the significance of the title. c. Social prejudices cause injustice. Discuss this statement with close reference to the text

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