7th Story
An Astrologers Day
R.K. Narayan
An
Astrologer’s Day is a short story
by R.K. Narayan, a famous Indian writer known for his
simple and meaningful stories about everyday life.
About the Writer
R.K. Narayan (1906–2001) was a famous Indian
writer who wrote many stories in English. He created a fictional town called Malgudi,
where most of his stories happen. His writing is simple and funny, showing the
everyday life and people of India. Some of his famous books are Swami and
Friends, The Guide, and The Man-Eater of Malgudi.
Setting
The story takes place in Malgudi, a
small Indian town. It happens at night on a busy street where the astrologer
has a small stall. The town is lively with people passing by, and the street
markets and simple life are shown clearly.
Plot
The story is about an astrologer who
tells people’s fortunes for a living. One evening, a stranger visits him for
advice. During their talk, the astrologer realizes this man is someone he once
tried to kill but thought was dead. The astrologer gives the man a prediction,
which changes their lives. The story ends with the astrologer thinking deeply
about life and his past.
Characters
- The
Astrologer:
A smart man who reads people’s lives. He feels guilty about his past
mistake but is practical and wise.
- The
Stranger:
A worried man who comes for advice, not knowing the astrologer’s secret.
- The
Astrologer’s Wife:
She supports him quietly and helps in small ways.
Themes
1. Fate vs. Free Will
The story shows how people believe in fate and
astrology to know their future, but at the same time, their own choices and
actions can change what happens. The astrologer struggles with his own past and
how much he controls his life.
2. Redemption and Guilt
The astrologer once made a big mistake that
hurt someone. Meeting that person again gives him a chance to feel sorry and
think about his past. The story talks about guilt and the chance to make things
right.
3. Deception and Truth
The astrologer tricks people with his
predictions, but he faces the truth about his own life. The story shows how
lies and truth are mixed, and even liars can be surprised by real truths.
4. Human Nature
Narayan shows how people are full of fears,
hopes, and feelings. The astrologer’s talk with the stranger reveals how
complex and fragile human life can be.
An Astrologer’s Day tells the story of a man who makes a living
by telling fortunes in the busy streets of Malgudi. He looks confident and
wise, but he has a secret past that haunts him. One evening, a stranger visits
him for advice. The astrologer quickly realizes this man is someone he once
tried to kill many years ago but thought was dead. The astrologer gives the stranger
a hopeful prediction, calming his fears. The stranger leaves feeling better,
unaware of the astrologer’s true identity. After the man goes, the astrologer
reflects on his past, feeling a mix of guilt and relief. The story ends with
the astrologer thinking about fate, guilt, and how life can bring unexpected
meetings. It shows how people try to hide their past but must face it in time.
Summary in detail
An
Astrologer's Day by R.K. Narayan follows the life of an
astrologer who works in the streets of Malgudi, a fictional town in South
India. The astrologer is a self-assured man who earns his living by telling
people's fortunes. He is dressed in a traditional manner, sitting under a makeshift
stall and attracting customers with his mystical persona. While his practice is
based on predicting the future, he carefully observes people’s behavior and
uses his intuition to offer them advice, often tailoring his predictions to
what he senses they need to hear. This makes him a successful and popular
figure in the town, although he harbors a hidden past that weighs on him.
One day, a stranger approaches the astrologer seeking answers to
his future. The astrologer examines the man closely and senses that he is
troubled and tense. After a brief exchange, the astrologer confidently tells
the man that he has a terrible past, particularly a violent encounter that has
led to deep anguish. The stranger is shocked at the accuracy of the prediction.
The astrologer then goes on to give the man a detailed, cryptic prophecy about
how his future will unfold. He suggests that the stranger's life will soon take
a positive turn, and he gives him hope for a better future.
As the astrologer continues his predictions, the story reveals a
twist. The astrologer, who has been living with a deep secret for many years,
begins to realize that the stranger he is talking to is the very man he had
once nearly killed in his youth. The astrologer had been involved in a violent
confrontation with a man long ago, and he fled the town in guilt and fear,
starting a new life as an astrologer. The stranger’s appearance is a reminder
of his past crime, and he experiences a rush of emotions as he realizes that he
is face to face with the man he had wronged.
In the end, the astrologer’s encounter with the stranger serves as
both a moral reckoning and a moment of personal redemption. The astrologer, who
once fled his past, now finds himself in a position to make amends—though not
in the way he initially expects. The stranger, unaware of the astrologer's true
identity, takes comfort in the predictions and leaves, seemingly at peace with
the new direction his life is heading. The astrologer, left alone with his
thoughts, reflects on how fate has brought them together and how his past
mistake, once hidden, has come full circle. The story ends with the astrologer
contemplating the nature of fate, guilt, and the unexpected ways in which life
unfolds.
Understanding the text
Answer the
following questions.
a. How does
the astrologer’s appearance help him attract customers? How does he help the
customers satisfy their needs?
The astrologer’s appearance plays a key role in attracting
customers to his stall. He is dressed in traditional, eye-catching attire,
which includes a turban and a long robe, both of which enhance his mystique and
lend an air of authority. His physical appearance, coupled with his calculated
gestures and the use of props like a palm leaf, adds to the aura of wisdom and
mysticism. His enigmatic and well-thought-out presentation helps to create an
atmosphere of trust and intrigue, making people believe that he holds deep,
secret knowledge about their lives and futures. This appearance makes him stand
out in the busy market and draws people in, eager to know what he can reveal
about their future.
The astrologer’s ability to help his customers satisfy their needs
is rooted in his skill at reading people. He doesn’t merely rely on traditional
astrology but uses his keen observation of their body language, demeanor, and
emotions to tailor his predictions. This makes his advice seem particularly
relevant and accurate. For example, he intuitively senses the troubled state of
the stranger who approaches him, which allows him to make specific, personal
predictions that resonate with the man. The astrologer is adept at offering
comfort and reassurance, giving people what they need—whether it's guidance, a
sense of hope, or a way to cope with their troubles. In doing so, he satisfies
the emotional needs of his clients, even if his predictions may not always be
grounded in the traditional practices of astrology. This blend of psychological
insight and perceived mysticism allows him to effectively meet the desires and
concerns of his customers.
b. How do you characterize the astrologer’s attitude toward the stranger?
The astrologer's attitude toward
the stranger is initially one of professional detachment and confidence. He
approaches the stranger with a sense of authority, relying on his skills to
provide tailored predictions. As a seasoned astrologer, he calmly assesses the
stranger’s demeanor and offers predictions that seem accurate and comforting,
maintaining an air of control. However, as the conversation progresses, the
astrologer’s attitude shifts to unease and inner turmoil when he realizes that
the stranger is the very man he had wronged years ago. This realization evokes
a deep sense of guilt and self-reflection, though he keeps his emotions hidden.
His attitude, therefore, evolves from professional confidence to quiet remorse,
as he is forced to confront his past without openly acknowledging it to the
stranger.
c. What details does the astrologer give the stranger about his past?
The astrologer gives the stranger
several unsettling details about his past, revealing that the man had a violent
and traumatic experience involving a near-fatal encounter. He correctly deduces
that the stranger had been seriously wounded in the past, and that this violent
incident had caused him immense anguish. The astrologer also suggests that the
stranger had been searching for answers ever since, carrying a deep sense of
unresolved guilt and sorrow. He implies that the stranger has been unable to
move on from this dark episode in his life. These revelations seem eerily
accurate to the stranger, though the astrologer remains unaware that he is
speaking about an event in which he himself played a part years earlier.
d. Why does he advise the stranger to go home immediately?
The astrologer advises the
stranger to go home immediately after revealing the details of his violent past
and predicting that his life will soon change for the better. The astrologer
senses that the stranger has been carrying a heavy emotional burden and needs
to resolve the pain from his past. By urging him to go home, the astrologer
seeks to give the man the opportunity to find peace and closure. The advice
also stems from the astrologer's own unease and guilt upon realizing that the
stranger is the very man he had wounded years ago. In his mind, the astrologer
believes that by sending the man home, he might avoid further confrontation or
retribution, and perhaps allow the stranger to heal from the trauma he has
suffered. The astrologer’s recommendation is thus motivated by both a sense of
compassion and a desire to distance himself from the consequences of his own
past actions.
e. What is your reaction to the conversation between the astrologer and
his wife?
The conversation between the
astrologer and his wife is revealing in its simplicity and subtle humor,
showcasing the dynamics of their relationship. The wife appears to be practical
and supportive, helping her husband prepare for his day’s work by giving him a
meal and offering some gentle advice. Her concern for him is evident, yet there
is also an underlying tone of realism in her words. The astrologer’s response
to her, while somewhat dismissive, also reflects his internal struggles. He
seems to take pride in his work and is confident in his ability to manage his
customers, but his wife’s questions about the nature of his work and its
consequences subtly hint at his deeper moral conflict. This brief exchange adds
depth to his character, showing that while he presents himself as a confident,
wise figure in public, at home, he is a man who is, at times, burdened by the
nature of his profession and his past. It also highlights the contrast between
the astrologer's outward persona and the more mundane, everyday reality of his
life with his wife.
Reference to the context
a. Suspense
is the feeling of anticipation you may have as you read. In this story, what
details contributed to your feelings of suspense and surprise? Explain.
In An Astrologer's
Day, several details contribute to the feeling of
suspense and surprise. First, the astrologer's initial air of confidence and
the mysterious setting of the street create a sense of intrigue. When the
stranger approaches, the astrologer's ability to provide accurate predictions
about the man's past creates an atmosphere of tension, especially as the
astrologer seems to know details about the stranger's life that he couldn't
have learned through normal means. The stranger's emotional reaction to the
astrologer's revelations, coupled with the astrologer's calm demeanor,
heightens the sense of suspense, making readers wonder how much the astrologer
truly knows.
The major element of surprise comes when the astrologer realizes
that the stranger is the very man he had once nearly killed. This realization
occurs gradually, and the astrologer’s growing unease and inner turmoil
contribute to a sense of impending revelation. The tension intensifies as the
astrologer, who has been living in guilt and fear for years, confronts the
possibility of facing the consequences of his past actions. The twist at the
end where the stranger, unaware of the astrologer's identity, leaves satisfied
create an ironic and unexpected resolution. This final revelation leaves
readers reflecting on the nature of fate and the impact of past mistakes,
making the story's conclusion both suspenseful and surprising.
b. Analyze the conflicts in “An Astrologer’s Day.” Explain how the
conflicts are resolved and what they reveal about the characters involved in
the story.
In An Astrologer's Day, the main conflict is internal,
centered on the astrologer’s guilt over a violent incident from his past, and
external, involving his interaction with the stranger. The astrologer is
burdened by the memory of having nearly killed the stranger years ago, and he
is fearful of facing the consequences. As the conversation unfolds, the
astrologer realizes that the stranger is the very man he had harmed. This
external conflict intensifies as the astrologer struggles with the fear of
retribution. The resolution comes when the astrologer, still hiding his
identity, advises the stranger to go home and find peace, avoiding a direct
confrontation. This resolution allows the astrologer to maintain his safety,
but it also leaves him to reflect on the moral complexities of his past
actions. The conflict reveals the astrologer's internal struggle with guilt and
his desire for redemption, while also highlighting his skill in navigating
difficult situations without directly addressing his past mistakes.
d. Description helps readers visualize what is happening in a story.
What details and techniques does the author use to describe the astrologer?
In An Astrologer's
Day, R.K. Narayan uses several vivid details and
techniques to describe the astrologer, helping readers visualize both his
physical appearance and his role in the story. The astrologer is depicted as a
man dressed in traditional, colorful attire, which adds to his mystique and
conveys his status as a figure of wisdom and authority. His "turban"
and "long robe" immediately create an image of a man steeped in the
cultural and spiritual practices of his profession. The author also describes
the astrologer's "squat frame" and "a calm, reassuring
expression," giving him a humble yet composed appearance. These physical
traits contrast with his deep inner turmoil, which Narayan subtly reveals
through his nervousness when interacting with the stranger, especially when he
realizes the stranger's identity.
The astrologer’s environment also reflects his persona. His stall
is described as a makeshift setup, with a simple "brightly colored
cloth" to shield him from the sun, enhancing the impression of a man who
is part of the town’s everyday life, yet holds a certain mystical aura.
Additionally, Narayan describes his demeanor as confident, yet his nervousness
and uncertainty about his past make his characterization more complex. The
author uses these descriptions to build a sense of intrigue and to highlight
the contrast between the astrologer's public role as a confident fortune-teller
and his private, moral struggle. These details and techniques help readers
visualize the astrologer and understand the dual nature of his character—one of
outward calm, with a hidden, troubled past.
e. Irony is a contrast between appearances and reality. What is ironic
about Guru Nayak’s meeting with the astrologer?
The irony in Guru Nayak’s meeting with the astrologer lies in the
contrast between appearances and reality. At first, the astrologer confidently
makes predictions about the stranger’s past, detailing a violent incident and
the stranger’s troubled life. Guru Nayak, who is eager for answers, believes
the astrologer’s words and is reassured, unaware that the astrologer is
actually the man who nearly killed him years ago. The astrologer, on the other
hand, is hiding his identity, all the while feeling an intense inner conflict
as he recognizes Guru Nayak. The true irony emerges when Guru Nayak leaves the
astrologer’s stall, unaware that the man who gave him the prophecy is the very
one he had been seeking for revenge.
Moreover, the astrologer’s prediction about the stranger’s future,
which suggests that Guru Nayak will find peace and resolution, is ironic
because, in reality, the astrologer is the one who might be seeking peace from
his past actions. This contrast between what is said and what is true heightens
the dramatic tension, as both the astrologer and Guru Nayak are deceived by
their own assumptions and perceptions. The irony lies in how their meeting
resolves without either of them fully understanding the true nature of their
connection.
f. How does the astrologer’s manner of dress suit his character?
The astrologer’s manner of dress suits his character by enhancing
the aura of mysticism and authority he wants to project. He wears a turban and
a long robe, which are traditional, colorful garments that immediately signal
to the people of the town that he is a figure of wisdom and spiritual
significance. His attire aligns with the role he plays as a fortune-teller,
evoking a sense of reverence and respect. The turbans and robes are symbolic of
the cultural and spiritual identity that is expected of an astrologer in the
context of the story.
His dress also contrasts with his inner turmoil, adding depth to
his character. While his appearance is confident and commanding, the
astrologer’s true nature is much more complex. The fact that he uses his dress
to conceal his true self—hiding his past and projecting an image of stability
reflects the tension between his public persona and private guilt. The
traditional dress aids in establishing his credibility with customers, allowing
him to maintain his role as a trusted figure, even as he harbors emotional and
moral conflicts beneath the surface. Thus, his manner of dress is both a
reflection of the role he plays in society and a tool for hiding the complexity
of his inner life.
Reference beyond the text
a. The
astrologer attracts many customers in the street who are pleased and astonished
by what he tells them. What does this tell you about the people of the town
walking in the street?
The fact that the astrologer attracts many customers in the
street, who are pleased and astonished by his predictions, suggests that the
people of the town are deeply inclined toward seeking spiritual guidance and
reassurance about their lives. It indicates that they are curious and perhaps
somewhat superstitious, looking for answers to their personal dilemmas or
uncertainties. The crowd’s positive reactions to the astrologer’s words show
that they place trust in his abilities, believing in the power of fate and the
mysticism surrounding his predictions.
This also reflects the social and cultural context of the town,
where astrology and fortune-telling are respected traditions, and people are
willing to seek comfort in these practices. The customers’ astonishment and
satisfaction point to their vulnerability and need for validation, as they
often look to external sources to make sense of their lives or solve their
problems. Overall, the reaction of the townspeople reveals their openness to
believing in the supernatural and their need for guidance, even if it comes
from a figure like the astrologer, whose predictions may not always be grounded
in truth.
b. Why do most people want to know their future? Do you think
astrologers can really help them know their future?
Most people want to know their future because it provides them
with a sense of control and security. The uncertainty of life can be
unsettling, and by seeking knowledge about the future, individuals hope to gain
insight into potential outcomes, make better decisions, and alleviate their
anxieties. The desire to understand what lies ahead can stem from various
concerns—ranging from career choices, relationships, and health, to more
existential fears about purpose and destiny. In essence, knowing the future can
offer comfort, reduce stress, and help people navigate their lives with greater
confidence.
As for whether astrologers can really help people know their
future, it’s important to recognize that astrology is not scientifically proven
to predict specific events. Astrologers often provide general guidance that can
resonate with a person’s current circumstances, and their advice may appear
accurate due to the nature of their broad, symbolic predictions. The real power
of an astrologer, however, may lie in their ability to offer emotional support,
insight, and a different perspective. While they might not predict the future
in a literal sense, they can help people by offering reassurance, clarity, or a
sense of direction—whether or not their predictions hold any true accuracy.
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