Review of Karma

“KARMA”

Another short story, “Karma,” reveals the psychology of an educated Indian in British

India and his character is presented in an ironical way, this character helps the author to

present his irony for such people.

Sir Mohan Lal’s encounter with the mirror shows the values of such Indians, their

indifference and varied native feelings. The mirror is Indian made and “the red oxide of

its back had come off at several places and long lines of translucent glass cut across its

surface”. This comment is an ironical example of Indians with British likings in British

Raj.

The mirror is a symbol of everything Indian and native, inefficient and indifferent, dirty

and intolerable to Mohan Lal.

In this incidence Mr. Singh, fully and in fine manner, shows his irony for the Indians in

British Government.

Mohan Lal wears the suit tailored at Saville Row, the symbol of British aristocracy and

upper class Culture; and Balliol tie, a symbol of exclusive Oxford upbringing and

educated human being. He is married to Lachmi - who is ironically being called Lady

Mohan Lal by the author but she has no resemblance to her husband.

Sir Mohan Lal is depicted as an educated Indian in contrast to his illiterate wife. In an

incidence the harsh irony of the author is depicted when Sir Mohan Lal in suit and tie is

presented sitting in a first class waiting room, quietly sipping his “Ek Chota”.

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While his wife, a fat and an illiterate woman is found eating chapattis and pickles and

chewing betel leaves while sitting on a steel trunk on the platform. Sir Mohan Lal travels

in first class compartment along wish all educated and well placed people, whereas his

illiterate wife is adjusted in ladies general class compartment.

IRONY OF SIR MOHAN LAL’S LIFE AND TIMES

The later half of the incidence is full of ironical behaviour of the people with both Mrs.

and Mr. Mohan Lal. Later the train arrives and both are adjusted in their respective

coaches, Sir Mohan Lal enters in first class compartment and Lady Mohan Lal in a

general ladies compartment. As soon as he enters in the compartment he does not even

find a single person in it, but, after some time, two English soldiers arrive, one soldier say

to another to let him down. And they start shouting at Mohan Lal, “Ek Dum Jao” (Go at

Once). But it is late for Mohan Lal to protest in his Oxonian accent! They lift his suitcase

and throw it out on the platform. The train starts moving and they pull him by his arms

and throw him out of the compartment.

LANGUAGE IN INDIA, www.languageinindia.com Vol. 6 : 4, 2006 Irony in Kushwant

Singh's Short Stories 4