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Vendor of Sweets
Vendor of Sweets
When his son was six years old he was a happy supporter of Jagan’s tanning activities in the back
verandah of the house…… but as he grew older he began to complain….
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Throw away the leather.’ In difference to what was possibly her last wish.
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The time was six, the peak sales were over and the front-stall boy would be bringing the main
collection for the day.
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He made an entry in a small notebook, and then more elaborated entries in a ledger which could
be inspected by anyone.
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Jagan is the vendor of sweets. He has staff of four. The kitchen is in the back, from where he
supervisors. At the time novel opens, Jagan is a widower of about sixty. His wife died long ago and
he didn't marry again. He used to wear a loose Jibba and Dhoti. Both made of material spun with
his own hand. Everyday he used to spun for an hour.
Jagan not only a vendor of sweets but also a follower of Ghandhi . He follows Ghandhis principles
blindly. He hates slaughtering animals.
Every morning Jagan used to read Bagavath Geetha and gave instructions from time to time to his
staff. His daily routine has brought in chapter one.
This chapter is expository in nature. We are introduced to Jagan , the hero of the novel and his
ways. We are also told of his son Mali, who would play a such a crucial role in the novel and would
be the cause of his undoing. We also get instances of Narayan's inimitable irony which plays over
all.
‘The surroundings were hushed when master counted his earnings for the day. Although the boy at
the front stall received the cash; he was not supposed to know the total. He just dropped every
paisa he received into a long-necked bronze jug, he brought it on at six o’ clock, returned to his seat
and brought in another instalment in a in a smaller container at seven, when the shutters were
drawn. Jagan would not count the cash yet, but continued to read his Lord’s sayings.’
1. What is the situation referred to in the passage? Where does it take place?
2. Who is referred to as ‘master’ in this extract? Why would he not count the cash yet?
3. What do the following phrases mean?
a. Another installment
b. Lord’s sayings
4. What sort of notion about the master is brought out through this passage?