Crime and Punishment

       'Crime and Punishment - Short Story by R.K.Narayan :-'

Welcome Readers! This blog is written in response to the thinking activity on the study of R.k.Narayan's another Short story - 'Crime and Punishment.' This task is assigned by Megha Ma'am Department of English, MKBU. In this blog I will explain the themes of the Short story and the Relationship between Teacher and student with the reference of some Bollywood movies.

  Before going Further first, Let us have a look on Introduction of the writer as well as the short story 'Crime and Punishment.' 

Click here to read about R.K.Narayan 

 ■ Crime and Punishment :- 

In the humorous and sarcastic story 'Crime and Punishment' by R.K.Narayan.  He Presents a smart boy who is unwilling to study. The story begins with ;

                          "What is Sixteen and three multiplied ? asked the teacher. The boy blinked." 

The story is set in an Indian background. The teacher purely out of monetary benefits, takes tuition, to a clever and naughty child , of rich and educated parents. 

 

   

    

  One day the teacher, slaps the boy in a fit of anger when he failed to answer a simple question, even after repeated correction. The teacher thought that the boy was trying to fool him.

When the boy threatened to tell his parents about it, the teacher was horrified. He tries to pacify the boy. The boy takes the opportunity and blackmails the teacher. He makes the teacher close the lessons for the day, makes him the station master, tell him stories and at the end makes him run around the garden thrice. When the parents appear, the teacher decided to tell the truth and take the punishment. But when the father asks about the preparation for the test, the boy pleads with his eyes not to betray him. The teacher saves the boy by saying that he was doing well for the examination. He also hopes that the boy would not betray him.

Moreover, the Parents do not favour corporal Punishment. They lecture to the teacher about their views on infant Psychology every evening. It seemed to the teacher that ; 

      " A Boy was made up of thin glass." 

 In the Story 'Crime and Punishment' R.K.Narayan mingles humour, sarcasm, irony and a serious undertone in his story. He portrays his characters, in a vivid and realistic manner, and they seem to spring up from the society around us. The hopes and dreams of the parents, the poverty of the school master which makes him take tuition class after six hours of working in the school, the mischievous nature of the boy, the silly mistakes that they commit, the dilemma the teacher faces, the predicament of the boy at the end, all are finely woven together.

        

    The story highlights the truth that ; 

      " Over caring and over Parenting Spoil the child." It proves the old saying that ; 

      ' Spare the rod and Spoil the Child.' 

  This story explores the dynamics of Teacher - Student relationship.  The story also throws some light upon the attitude of Parents in Shaping the child. One can observe that It is not only teacher's responsibility but along with that the role of Parents in child's education. Following are the important aspects associated with the short story 'Crime and Punishment' by R.K.Narayan. 

  1. Teacher's Crime 

  2. Parent's  attitude 

  3. The Punishment 

  4. The Excuse 

 In this story according to the Parents ; 

       " The boy was a little angel , all dimples, Smiles, and Sweetness  - only wings lacking."

 So In a way we get an ideas that the child is a Pampered child by both the Parents. R.K.Narayan very well Portrayed that over caring and over Parenting can Spoil the child. With this Point I would like to explain few things. 

      

     ◇ Crime and Punishment  - A Satire on Over Parenting :- 

 R.K. Narayan's short story Crime and Punishment can be read as a Satire on Over - Parenting. 

 The parents in the story are well versed in the child-psychology theories. They want their child to grow up as a healthy citizen. They built a nursery, bought expensive toys, fitted up miniature furniture sets gave him a small pedal motor car to go about in all over the garden. They filled up his cupboard with all kinds of sweets and biscuits and wanted him to devour them moderately. They believe a great deal in leaving things that way. 

" They insist that the child should not be repressed in any way. He should have the freedom to play. "

The Story Satirises the attitude of the Parents to train or mould the children according to their whims and fancies. The little boy is too playful that he does not want to learn. What he actually need is a playmate. This short story 'Crime and Punishment' by R.k.Narayan satirises the disadvantages of over Parenting Convinsingly. 

 To Understand the dynamics of Teacher student relationship let us take few examples from the Bollywood movies.  

 1. Taare Zameen Par [2007] :- 

 This film focuses on the relationship between a dyslexic child named Ishaan and his art teacher Portrayed by Aamir khan. The movie explores how the teacher identifies Ishaan's learning disability and uses unconventional teaching methods to help him discover his true Potential.  

    

   2. Stanley ka Dabba [2011] :-

 In the film 'Stanley Ka Dabba' the theme of the Teacher student relationship is explored through the character of Stanley, the Protagonist and his caring Hindi teacher. Stanley a young school boy is known for his creativity and Imagination.  However he never brings a lunchbox to school. The Film delves into the daily interactions between Stanley and his caring Hindi teacher, who becomes a guiding figure in his life. 

 The film explores the contrast between The supportive Teacher-  student relationship. Hindi teacher's kindness and understanding provide Stanley the Freedom to flourish. 

  3. Hichki  [2018 ] :- 

Hichki film is also one of the best example which describes a great bonding between Teacher - student relationship. A determined teacher role which is played by Rani Mukherjee with Tourette syndrome takes on the challenges of teaching a class of unprivileged students, facing various obstacles along the way.

   4.Chalk & Duster [ 2016] :- 

 

   This film Portrays the struggle faced by teachers in education. The movie emphasizes the dedication and passion of educators and the and the impact they have on their student 's lives. In this movie shabana Azmi and Juhi Chawla are in leading roles. 

   These movies offers different Perspectives and Outlooks. Along with that it very well Portrayed the ideas of Teacher- student relationship in a very well way. 

 □ Conclusion :- 

 To Conclude, R.k.Narayan's short story 'Crime and Punishment ' explores the dynamics of Teacher - student relationship.  Moreover, it also describes that how overparenting and over caring causes a harm to child. It is a humorous and sarcastic story which throw some light upon many issues related to the field of education.  

  I hope that this blog will be useful to you..

  Thanks for Visiting...✨️😊