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The Untouchable Spring - Chap-Wisecritial Discussion

This document summarizes the key events and critiques from the first 3 chapters of an unnamed book. It describes the social divisions between untouchable castes like Malas and Madigas versus upper castes in India. It discusses how classical texts like the Puranas imposed identities on lower castes. It then narrates memories of discrimination faced by the family of Reuben's grandfather Yellanna, including facing violence for trying to watch a street play up close. The document critiques Indian myths and histories for perpetuating the caste system.

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Devoleena De
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
210 views12 pages

The Untouchable Spring - Chap-Wisecritial Discussion

This document summarizes the key events and critiques from the first 3 chapters of an unnamed book. It describes the social divisions between untouchable castes like Malas and Madigas versus upper castes in India. It discusses how classical texts like the Puranas imposed identities on lower castes. It then narrates memories of discrimination faced by the family of Reuben's grandfather Yellanna, including facing violence for trying to watch a street play up close. The document critiques Indian myths and histories for perpetuating the caste system.

Uploaded by

Devoleena De
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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DR.

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

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