The Untouchable Spring - Chap-Wisecritial Discussion
The Untouchable Spring - Chap-Wisecritial Discussion
JITU SAIKIA
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
GARGAON COLLEGE
Chapter 1
• Saga of malas and madigas
1. “Oh, my beautiful untouchable man!” p2
2. Critique of indian classical historiography –
Siva, Parvati, Rishis, Chennaiah, Jambavanta
a. Chennaiah to malas and Jambavanta to madigas
p3
b. Puranic/classical imposition of an identity and
Ruth/Reuben’s rejection of the same p5
Chapter 2
• Ruth’s memories – some narrated by Reuben
while the others witnessed by herself as a
member of her Reuben’s grandfather
Yellanna’s family
• Yellanna’s songs – illiterate but deeply tinted
with the brutal and bitter reality of the life of
malas and madigas. P5/6
Chapter 2
• The cruel horizontal line between the
touchables and the untouchables in the entire
country
• The horizontal line between the upper castes
on one side and the lower castes malas and
madigas on the other p7
Chapter 2
• Prosperity of the upper castes vs inexplicable
poverty of the lower castes malas and
madigas –
– The large estate of the elder karanam giving to his
son younger karanam p9
– No property of Boodevi’s father to leave behind
for his son and daughter at his death p9/10
Chapter 2
• Yerra gollalu, the street play and racial
discrimination
– To be performed by the upper castes
– To be enjoyed from close distance only by the
upper castes
– Malas and madigas to enjoy from a considerable
distance, but without notice from the upper
castes.
– If seen by upper caste elders, harsh punishment
Chapter 2
• Boodevi and her revolting mind against social
system p11
– Her effort to help Yellanna enjoy the play well
– Not caring about the outcome if seen by the kapus
or karanam
– Her daring act is the sign of the suppressed
agonies caused by racial subjugation
Chapter 2
• The first instance of brutal racial intolerance p13
– Yellanna goes near the yerra gollalu. He has the mind
to see th play from close quarters.
– With keen eyes and interest he observes things and
people around.
– Suddenly the upper caste people attack him with
palm frond. Yellanna running away in extreme fear.
– The horrified and heavily injured yellanna crosses
the stream to reach the shore of Pakkela dinni
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
• Critique of Indian myths and puranic
historiography p13/14
• Critique of Manu, the first
Chapter 2
• Regionalism
– Setting of Andhra Pradesh
– Depiction of social life of India in general and AP in
particular
– Use of local maxims and phrases
• Anna, attha, saddi