Social Oppression Exposed in Mulk Raj Anand’s Untouchable :: Untouchable

Social Oppression Exposed in Mulk Raj Anands UntouchableUntouchable by Mulk Raj Anand offers more than just a day in the disembodied spirit of a member of Indias lowest caste. Anand manages to touch the reader with Bakhas untouchability. As he struggles to internalize his place in society, Bakha displays to the reader his potential, and how his low-caste birth has affected his spirit. As the written report progresses, the reader experiences with Bakha the reality of his place in society and his struggle with that realization. At one point in the novel, Bakha is sweeping the courtyard of a Hindu temple, and is overpowered by his curiosity to see what lies within. Bakhas inner struggle over peering into the temple and the repercussions of his acting out that desire parallel the divided nature of his will A manslayer might have advanced like that, one confident in his consummate mastery of the art of killing. But he soon lost his grace in the low stoop which the dead weight of years of habitual bending cast on him. After he had mounted the first two move, he stood completely demoralized with fear and pull awayed(Anand 58)This quotation is one of several in which Anand portrays a noble side to Bakha. Bakhas movement is compared with that of a murderer confident in his consummate mastery of the art While the word murderer carries negative connotations, Anands choice of metaphor is powerful in that it carries with it all the authorisation of purpose and artful skill required of the professional assassin. Long years of degradation and menial work have taken their toll on Bakha. His egest to a stooping posture displays more than physical deformity. The dead weight of years rests heavily on his spirit as well, demoralizing him into a retreat from the forbidden temple steps, and recalling to his demeanor the humble, oppressed under-dog that he was by birth.(58) Bakhas self-doubt is reinforced when he finally summons the courage to climb the temple steps and ex plore the mysteries within.