A Shadow by R. K. Narayan

Question and Answers: -

1. Contrast Sambu's and his mother's responses to the film.

A: - A Shadow is one of the popular works of R. K. Narayan. The literal meaning of 'shadow' is simply, the reflection of a person or things. However in this lesson, the word 'shadow' has a symbolic meaning that denotes the harrowing (unpleasant) past experiences of a widow's husband, following her like a shadow.

                There is a film going to be released, in which Sambu's father acts as a hero. Sambu likes the film a lot. He eagerly waits for the releasing date of the film as he has been missed his father since his death. When he goes to the theater to see it, he enjoys every moment of the movie. He feels very happy to see his father walking, dressing, singing and everything. When he watches the action between his father and a girl, Kumari, he recollects his past experiences with his father at home. He even feels very disappointed when the movie ends and looks at the projection room as if his father has vanished into it. He wants to see the movie every day and he does so.

             In contrast, Sambu's mother does not even want to see her husband again on the film screen as he has passed away in the recent past. She does not hate her husband, in fact, but she just does not want to recollect her past experiences with her husband. IT is only due to the persistent requests of her son, Sambu, she goes to theatre to watch the film. He feels very discomfort to sit in the theater, accumulates all her courage to sit down in the hall. Her heart beats fast when she sees her husband walking, dressing, singing and playing with children. She feels the show as an affliction (a cause of pain) to her. Unable to bear to watch the movie, eventually (finally) she becomes fainted.

2. Why does Sambu's mother faint during the screening?

A: - A Shadow is one of the popular works of R. K. Narayan. The literal meaning of 'shadow' is simply, the reflection of a person or things. However in this lesson, the word 'shadow' has a symbolic meaning that denotes the harrowing (unpleasant) past experiences of a widow's husband, following her like a shadow.
          Sambu's mother does not want to recall the past memories of her husband. Perhaps, she does not want her husband commanding her for something. She does not also like to see her husband reclining (bending back to take rest) in a chair and absorbing (deeply involve) in newspaper without caring any family responsibility. Losing her temper for this behavior of her husband, she once in her past life has said, “You and your newspaper!" of which he does not bother it. When she watches the scene of her husband leaning back in a chair reading newspaper and shouting at Kumari, who is about to cry, Sambu's mother finds it difficult to control herself. She feels the total movie as an affliction to her. The scene is unbearable to her and that is why she sobs to a large extent, eventually breakdowns and faints in the hall.

Note: - Do not write the words that are there in the brackets in the examination. They are only meant for your better understanding of the lesson.