An Interpretive Look at R.K. Narayan's The Guide and Its Representation of Indian Women

Abstract

The first book written by Narayan was titled The Guide, which reveals that the main character is most likely Raju, the most well-known guide in Malgudi. On the other hand, the majority of the published manuscripts of The Guide have a picture of a Bharat Natyam dancer wearing a sari. This dancer is almost certainly Rosie. Due to the layered nature of Rosie's personality, this seemingly little detail sheds light on how the character made an effect on the minds of the readers, and how that impression continues to reverberate even after the figure has been forgotten. During his explanation to Velan, Raju mentions Rosie and adds, I couldn't comprehend her (Narayan, 119) in reference to Rosie. The novel's audience members had the same reaction. She defies the traditional Hindu notion of how a woman ought to be, yet despite this, a significant portion of her multifaceted personality is quite traditional. In her, we witness a woman who is frantically attempting to liberate herself from the pigeonhole while simultaneously allowing the doors of patriarchy to cage her.