MALGUDI DAYS | TRAIL OF GREEN BLAZER | EPISODE 18| R.K. NARAYAN | ENGLISH STORIES | STORY BOOKS

Summary

In the story 'Trail of the Green Blazer' by R.K. Narayan, we follow Raju, a petty thief in a bustling market. As he observes the crowd, he becomes fixated on a man in a distinctive green blazer. Raju attempts to pickpocket him but is caught in the act and mistakenly accused of theft. Raju’s desperate attempt to return the man's wallet, along with his tragic empathy for a 'motherless boy' the man has mentioned, leads to his downfall. Despite his innocence, Raju ends up in jail, learning a harsh lesson about his own choices and the world around him.

Takeaways

• 😀 R. K. Narayan's writing style is marked by simplicity and subtle humor, often focusing on ordinary people living simple lives in a changing world.
• 😀 The story takes place in a busy marketplace, where a man in a green blazer stands out amid the crowd.
• 😀 Raju, a pickpocket, observes the crowd with professional concentration, looking for opportunities to steal, especially preferring wallets over items like fountain pens and watches.
• 😀 Raju's pickpocketing tactics are carefully calculated, ensuring he keeps a safe distance from his targets to avoid suspicion.
• 😀 Despite being a thief, Raju justifies his actions by convincing himself that he’s only taking what he deserves or can get away with.
• 😀 Raju’s wife believes he earns money through commissions, without questioning the source of the cash, allowing him to hide his crimes.
• 😀 The green blazer, while negotiating over a coconut and later buying a balloon, becomes the focus of Raju's theft attempt.
• 😀 Raju is moved by the green blazer's statement about buying the balloon for a 'motherless boy,' leading to guilt and the decision to return the stolen purse.
• 😀 When Raju tries to put the purse back into the green blazer’s pocket, he is caught, and the crowd laughs at him, turning his intentions into a joke.
• 😀 Raju is arrested and imprisoned, and his wife expresses shame at his actions. Even in jail, Raju insists that he was just trying to return the purse.
• 😀 After serving his sentence, Raju reflects on his actions, vowing never to steal again, but also accepting that his fingers are only meant to take, not give back.

Q & A

What is the central theme of 'The Green Blazer'?

The central theme of the story is about morality, human nature, and irony. It highlights how Raju, the protagonist, is a petty thief who, despite his best efforts to redeem himself, ends up causing more trouble. The story critiques the disconnect between intentions and actions, using humor and irony.

Why does Raju follow the man in the green blazer?

Raju follows the man in the green blazer because he notices the man's bulging purse, which tempts him to steal. He is a professional pickpocket and is always on the lookout for easy opportunities.

What is Raju's profession, and how does he approach it?

Raju is a petty thief, or pickpocket, who makes a living by stealing from others in crowded places. He is strategic and careful, always observing his targets from a distance and making sure to maintain a balance between staying unnoticed and being close enough to act.

How does Raju feel about stealing fountain pens and watches?

Raju is disillusioned with stealing fountain pens and watches. He finds them to be too troublesome, as they are either in poor condition or difficult to sell. He prefers to steal cash or purses, which he finds more straightforward and satisfying.

What does Raju do with the money he steals?

After stealing the money, Raju hides it in his turban, carefully wrapping it in cloth. He uses the stolen money to buy sweets, books, and occasionally clothes for his children, but he is cautious about hiding it from his wife, who might ask too many questions.

Why does Raju feel pity for the 'motherless boy'?

Raju feels sympathy for the 'motherless boy' mentioned by the man in the green blazer, imagining the child's disappointment if the balloon he was promised is lost. This thought leads him to reconsider his actions and attempt to return the wallet, driven by compassion for the child.

What happens when Raju tries to return the stolen wallet?

When Raju attempts to return the wallet to the man, he is caught red-handed and accused of being a pickpocket. The man in the green blazer physically restrains Raju, and the crowd mocks him. Raju’s well-meaning gesture backfires, and he ends up being humiliated.

What is the significance of the crowd's reaction to Raju's attempt to return the wallet?

The crowd's reaction is important because it highlights the irony of Raju’s situation. Despite his attempt to do the right thing by returning the wallet, his actions are misunderstood, and he becomes the target of ridicule. This reflects the theme of human folly and how intentions often lead to unintended consequences.

How does Raju’s wife react to his arrest and imprisonment?

Raju’s wife is disappointed and ashamed of him. She weeps and says that he has brought shame to their family. However, Raju defends himself by saying that he was only trying to return the purse, but his explanation is not taken seriously.

What is the ironic outcome of Raju’s actions by the end of the story?

The ironic outcome is that despite Raju’s attempt to correct his wrongdoing by returning the stolen wallet, he ends up being arrested and imprisoned. He learns a hard lesson about his profession and decides that, from then on, he will not try to 'put anything back' but will stick to his old ways, accepting that his fingers are meant only for taking.