Crime and Punishment' By R. K. Narayan

 Crime and Punishment' by R. K. Narayan

This blog is written in response to the thinking activity on Crime and Punishment' assigned by Megha ma'am, the Department of English, MKBU. So as a part of the I am going to discuss the  dynamic roles of teacher and student.

But let's first have a brief Introduction of the writer as well the the short Story 'Crime and Punishment'.

Click here to read about R. K. Narayan

Crime and Punishment:-

'Crime and Punishment' is a short story written by R. K. Narayan containing the story of A young boy, his teacher and Parents. 

In the satirical and witty tale "Crime and Punishment," R.K. Narayan introduces us to a clever young boy who harbors a deep aversion to studying. His parents, however, are determined to secure a double promotion for him to the first form. Yet, the mischievous boy intentionally provides an incorrect answer to the teacher's question.

Losing his patience, the teacher slaps the boy on the cheek, prompting him to burst into tears and threaten to report the punishment to his parents. The parents vehemently oppose any form of physical discipline, preferring to adhere to the theories of child psychology and treating their son as if he were as fragile as glass.

Despite receiving a mere thirty rupees for his services as a tutor, the teacher begrudgingly tolerates their ideals. But the boy cunningly exploits the situation, compelling the teacher to halt the lesson and engage in playtime. He insists that the teacher assume the role of a station master, manipulating a toy train. When the toy inevitably malfunctions, the boy demands that the teacher fix it. Helplessly admitting his inability, the teacher is forced to run to the boy's parents to inform them about the punishment.

Desperately chasing after the boy, the teacher eventually encounters the parents, who inquire about their son's academic progress. Pleading with the teacher not to betray him, the boy implores him to conceal the truth. Succumbing to the pressure, the teacher assures the parents that their son is excelling in his studies. He embellishes the story, claiming that they had completed their lessons ahead of schedule and had been engaging in lighthearted activities to boost the boy's morale.

Ordinarily, teachers administer punishments to students as a means of disciplining them. However, in this peculiar tale, the punishment inflicted by the teacher becomes a transgression in itself. Subsequently, the boy exacts retribution upon the teacher for his crime. Thus, a role reversal occurs within the narrative, which also serves to satirize our educational system and the principles we adhere to.

Crime and Punishment’ is a fine presentation of today’s troubled teacher student relationship. The story throws light on the attitude of the parents in shaping a child as well. It revolves around four main aspects:

1. Teacher’s crime

2. Parents’ attitude

3. The punishment

4. The excuse 

The dynamic relationship between teachers and students plays a crucial role in personal growth. It has an impact on both the teacher and the student, making a healthy and cooperative bond necessary. This is where the concept of punishment comes into play. Punishment methods have been widely discussed worldwide. In earlier times, the saying "સોટી વાગે સમસમ, વિધ્યા આવે રમરમ" (meaning discipline leads to knowledge) was upheld. However, this concept has undergone significant changes. Presently, there are numerous rules and laws prohibiting physical punishment for students. We can find a parallel to this in the story, where there are no explicit rules, but the boy's behavior towards his teacher resembles a form of blackmail, threatening to report being slapped to his parents. Such situations also arise in protected environments governed by laws, where teachers constantly need to be cautious. These laws have both advantages and disadvantages. Students often misuse these rules. Nonetheless, it remains the responsibility of teachers to create a healthy environment that fosters the growth of students' abilities. It has been proven time and again that punishment is not the only option available in achieving this goal.

Another crucial aspect to consider is the teacher's understanding of their students' abilities. There are numerous examples that highlight this point.

In the movie "Taare Zameen Par," the teacher is the only one who recognizes the painting skills of his student, Ishan. He creates a nurturing environment where Ishan can explore his talents without limitations.

Similarly, in the movie "Hichki," the female teacher comprehends the unique nature of her students and devises innovative learning methods that captivate their interest.

The role of a teacher is to encourage students and uplift their existing qualities. The movie "English Vinglish" exemplifies this beautifully.

The female protagonist joins English speaking classes to improve her language skills, and her teacher creates a cooperative environment that boosts her confidence. In the end, the teacher inspires her to show courage in speaking English.

These examples emphasize the importance of teachers understanding their students' individual strengths and providing them with an environment that nurtures their abilities. By doing so, teachers can play a transformative role in their students' lives.

Now let's consider two movie examples that portray strict teachers and their perspectives on students. In the movie "3 Idiots," we are introduced to the strict teacher, Virus, who upholds stringent rules, regulations, and expectations for student behavior. Though the overall message of the movie is very much different, we take the nature of the professor Virus.

Many people have criticized Virus for his role as a teacher, and I believe such criticism is warranted. He has a rigid mindset and appears mechanical in his approach. However, let's explore the contrasting dynamics of his character. Virus genuinely desires his students to succeed in their careers, and this is an important aspect for any teacher to consider. As a professor in an engineering college, he emphasizes that students should strive for excellence in their field. It is crucial to note that we are not focusing on the core storyline of the movie; rather, we are specifically examining the teacher-student dynamic. Therefore, it is unfair to judge the teacher solely based on one perspective or interpretation.

Another movie example is "Mohabbatein," an adaptation of the film "Dead Poets Society," which also explores the teacher-student relationship.

It is important to clarify that I am not focusing on the love stories within the movie. The head of the college in "Mohabbatein" is extremely strict when it comes to enforcing rules and regulations for the students. The Gurukul's motto is "परम्परा, प्रतिष्ठा, आनुशासन" (tradition, honor, discipline), and the headmaster's ambition is to make all the students capable of succeeding in the world and their careers. However, the excessive emphasis on rules is ultimately proven wrong. I am not concerned with the theme of love that permeates the movie, but rather the negative effects of pressure. This pressure creates an atmosphere of terror in the minds of the students. This is revealed in a conversation between Raj and the headmaster, where it is highlighted that students bow down to the headmaster during morning prayers out of fear, not out of respect.

"ये students आपके पैर क्यों छूटे है?

क्युकी ये सब मेरी इज्जत (आदर)करते है 

नहीं ये लोग आपके पाँव  इस लिए छूते  है क्युकी ये आपसे डरते है। "

The act of students touching his feet is rooted in their fear of him, and this fear is a reality. Creating an environment of terror is dangerous for everyone involved, and it is essential for a teacher to provide a healthy and supportive environment for students.

In conclusion, the short story "Crime and Punishment" opens the door for us to explore the dynamic relationship between students and teachers. Additionally, movies like "Mohabbatein" shed light on the consequences of creating an atmosphere of terror and the importance of fostering a healthy learning environment.

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