indian english novel & short stories 🌾
Name : rathod madhvi r.
Year : T.Y.B.A. (2025-26)
Semester : 6
Subject : English
Paper Name : A Study of Indian English Novel and Short Stories
Class Assignment: explain characters of all 6 short stories
Home Assignment: explanation of how I taught my grandmother to read
Essay : major themes of all 6 stories
Submission Date : 25/2/2026
College: Maharani shree Nandkunverba Mahila Arts and Commerce College
home assignment
Bishan Singh (Toba Tek Singh) is the central character of the story. He is a Sikh inmate in a Lahore mental asylum who has been there for fifteen years. He keeps repeating strange, meaningless words and refuses to lie down. His biggest concern is whether his village, Toba Tek Singh, is in India or Pakistan after Partition. His confusion represents the identity crisis and emotional suffering caused by the division of the country.
The Muslim lunatic who claims to be God is a minor but symbolic character. When Bishan Singh asks him about the location of Toba Tek Singh, he jokingly says that he has not yet ordered it to be in either country. This character represents the absurdity of political decisions and the helplessness of common people.
The man who climbs the tree is another minor character. When he hears about the exchange of lunatics, he climbs a tree and refuses to come down, saying he does not want to live in either India or Pakistan. He symbolizes protest and confusion during Partition.
The educated lunatic who thinks he is a political leader reflects how politics influenced even the minds of unstable people. He shows how deeply political identity affected society.
The asylum officials and guards are practical and emotionless. They follow government orders to exchange Hindu, Sikh, and Muslim lunatics between India and Pakistan. They represent the cold and mechanical system of bureaucracy.
2️⃣ Lihaaf (The Quilt) – by Ismat Chughtai
Begum Jaan is the main character of the story. She is the neglected wife of Nawab Sahib. Though she is beautiful and comes from a respectable family, she lives a lonely and unhappy life. Her husband shows no interest in her, which leads to emotional frustration. She represents suppressed female desire and the suffering of women in patriarchal marriages.
Rabbo, Begum Jaan’s maid, is her constant companion. She massages Begum Jaan and stays close to her at all times. Rabbo provides emotional and physical comfort to Begum Jaan. Her character represents hidden relationships and silent rebellion against social restrictions.
Nawab Sahib is a wealthy and socially respected man. However, he ignores his wife and prefers the company of young boys. He represents hypocrisy and the double standards of society, where men’s behavior is tolerated but women are judged.
The child narrator is a young girl who stays at Begum Jaan’s house. She narrates the story innocently and does not fully understand the adult situations around her. Her innocence makes the story subtle and powerful.
Begum Jaan’s mother is a minor character who arranges her daughter’s marriage to a rich man, thinking it will ensure security. She represents traditional social thinking.
3️⃣ The Night of the Full Moon (Pooranmashi) – by Kartar Singh Duggal
The narrator observes the peaceful village life before Partition and the sudden tension that arises between communities. He is sensitive and thoughtful, representing the pain of social division.
The Hindu villagers are ordinary people who once lived peacefully with Muslims. Due to fear and political influence, they begin to feel insecure and suspicious. They represent how communal tension destroys harmony.
The Muslim villagers also experience fear and mistrust. They were once neighbors and friends but are now divided by religious identity. They symbolize the tragic breakdown of unity.
The women of the village are silent sufferers. They feel fear and insecurity during communal unrest. Their vulnerability highlights the emotional cost of violence.
4️⃣ The Night Train at Deoli – by Ruskin Bond
The narrator (young college student) is the main character. He is romantic, sensitive, and idealistic. He falls in love with a basket-selling girl during his train journeys. He represents youthful innocence and the emotions of first love.
The basket-selling girl is shy, simple, and hardworking. She sells baskets at Deoli station. She speaks very little, which makes her mysterious. She represents beauty, simplicity, and the temporary nature of love.
The narrator’s friends are minor characters who tease him about the girl. They represent practical thinking and contrast with the narrator’s romantic nature.
5️⃣ How I Taught My Grandmother to Read – by Sudha Murty
The grandmother (Ajji) is loving and determined. She feels ashamed when she cannot read her favorite story independently. Her decision to learn at the age of sixty-two shows her strong will and respect for education.
The narrator (young Sudha) is caring, intelligent, and patient. She becomes her grandmother’s teacher and teaches her to read and write. She represents dedication and respect toward elders.
Krishna, the hero of the story her grandmother loves, is a fictional character in the novel they read. He represents the emotional attachment the grandmother has toward literature.
6️⃣ Karma – by Khushwant Singh
Sir Mohan Lal is the main character. He is an English-educated Indian who admires British culture and looks down upon his fellow Indians. He speaks fluent English and feels superior. However, when British soldiers insult and throw him out of the train compartment, his false pride is shattered. He represents colonial mentality and identity crisis.
Lachmi, his wife, is simple, traditional, and practical. She is comfortable with her Indian identity and does not try to imitate British manners. She contrasts with her husband and represents authenticity.
The British soldiers are minor characters who insult Sir Mohan Lal and force him out of the compartment. They represent racial discrimination and colonial arrogance.
CLASS ASSIGNMENT
How I Taught My Grandmother to Read
– Detailed Explanation
by Sudha Murty
🌸 Introduction
How I Taught My Grandmother to Read is a touching autobiographical story written by Sudha Murty. It is about her childhood experience with her grandmother and how she helped her learn to read and write. The story highlights the importance of education, determination, and self-respect.
📖 Detailed Summary
1️⃣ Grandmother’s Love for Stories
The narrator, young Sudha, lived in a village in Karnataka. Her grandmother (Ajji) could not read or write because, in her childhood, girls were not sent to school. However, she loved listening to stories.
Sudha used to read a famous Kannada novel called Kashi Yatre, written by Triveni, to her grandmother every week. The novel was published in episodes in a magazine, and Ajji eagerly waited to hear each part.
2️⃣ The Turning Point
One day, Sudha had to attend a wedding and went away for a week. During her absence, the next episode of Kashi Yatre was published. Ajji desperately wanted to know what happened in the story, but she could not read it herself. She felt helpless and dependent on others.
This incident made her realize the pain of being illiterate. She decided that she would learn to read and write, even at the age of sixty-two.
3️⃣ The Learning Process
Ajji requested Sudha to become her teacher. Sudha agreed happily. Every day, she taught her grandmother the Kannada alphabet and simple words.
Ajji worked very hard. She practiced regularly and showed great determination. She was serious and disciplined about her learning.
4️⃣ The Emotional Moment
On the festival of Dassara, Ajji was finally able to read a paragraph from Kashi Yatre by herself. She touched Sudha’s feet as a mark of respect because she was now her teacher.
Sudha felt emotional and embarrassed because she was just a young girl. Ajji explained that a teacher deserves respect, no matter their age. It was a proud and unforgettable moment for both of them.
🎯 Major Themes
1. Importance of Education
The story shows that education gives independence and confidence. Literacy removes helplessness.
2. Determination and Willpower
Age is not a barrier to learning. Ajji’s determination proves that it is never too late to learn.
3. Teacher–Student Relationship
The story beautifully shows respect for teachers. Even though Sudha was young, her grandmother honored her role as a teacher.
4. Women Empowerment
In earlier times, many girls were denied education. The story highlights social change and the importance of educating women.
💡 Character Sketch of Grandmother (Ajji)
Loving and caring
Curious and eager to learn
Determined and hardworking
Self-respecting
Emotional but strong
📝 Message of the Story
The main message is that education brings freedom and self-respect. No matter how old you are, learning can change your life. The story encourages lifelong learning and respect for teachers.
ESSAY
1️⃣ Toba Tek Singh – by Saadat Hasan Manto
🌍 Major Themes:
Partition and Madness – The insanity of political decisions during the Partition of India.
Identity Crisis – Bishan Singh does not know whether he belongs to India or Pakistan.
Human Suffering – Innocent people suffer because of political division.
Absurdity of Borders – The story questions the logic of dividing land and people.
Loss and Displacement – People are separated from their homes and roots.
2️⃣ Lihaaf (The Quilt) – by Ismat Chughtai
🌙 Major Themes:
Female Loneliness – Begum Jan is emotionally neglected by her husband.
Suppressed Desires – The story highlights hidden emotions in a conservative society.
Patriarchal Society – Women suffer due to male dominance.
Silence and Secrecy – Important truths remain hidden behind the “quilt.”
Child’s Innocent Perspective – The story is narrated through a child’s eyes.
3️⃣ The Night of the Full Moon (Pooranmashi) – by Kartar Singh Duggal
🌕 Major Themes:
Communal Harmony and Conflict – Shows tension between communities.
Human Emotions During Crisis – Fear, anger, and confusion during troubled times.
Tradition and Faith – Religious beliefs influence people’s actions.
Tragedy of Partition – Emotional and social breakdown.
4️⃣ The Night Train at Deoli – by Ruskin Bond
🚂 Major Themes:
First Love and Longing – Innocent and unspoken attraction.
Transience of Life – Some relationships are temporary.
Memory and Nostalgia – The narrator lives in memories.
Innocence and Simplicity – The basket girl represents purity.
Unfulfilled Desire – Love remains incomplete.
5️⃣ How I Taught My Grandmother to Read – by Sudha Murty
📚 Major Themes:
Importance of Education – Literacy brings independence.
Determination and Hard Work – Age is not a barrier.
Respect for Teachers – A teacher deserves honour.
Women Empowerment – Education changes women’s lives.
Self-Respect – Learning gives confidence.
6️⃣ Karma – by Khushwant Singh
🚉 Major Themes:
Pride and Arrogance – Sir Mohan Lal looks down upon Indians.
Colonial Mentality – Blind admiration for British culture.
Reality vs Illusion – His false superiority is exposed.
Identity and Self-Respect – One must accept one’s roots.
Irony – The ending shows poetic justice.
