NARRATIVE EXPOSURE IN R.K.NARAYAN’S ‘THE GUIDE’

ABSTRACT

R.K.Narayan is a popular Indian novelist writing in English. His book “The Guide” (1958) got a wide acceptance abroad and Narayan was conferred the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 1960 for his contribution to Indian writing in English. It narrates the travails and tribulations of Raju, formerly a tourist guide, who has just been released from prison, and has taken refuge in an old temple by the river, Sarayu, Velan, a peasant, mistakes him for a priest and seeks his advice on a domestic problem. Raju helps him to find a solution and soon acquires a reputation as a holy man. When a drought befalls in the district, the peasants turn to Raju for help and he reluctantly undertakes a fast to propitiate the rain gods. It is at this point that he confesses that he is an imposter, and recounts to Velan the tragicomedy of his love for Rosie the dancer, the rise and fall of his fortunes as guide, lover and impresario.   

FULL TEXT