The Dark Room  (English, Paperback, R. K. Narayan)

In The Dark Room, R.K. Narayan weaves a touching narrative by taking the readers back to the enchanting world of the fictional town Malgudi.

Summary Of The Book

In The Dark Room, the protagonist is Savitri, a dutiful and submissive housewife. In what would seem an ideal marriage, Savitri suddenly realizes her complete dependency on Ramani, her husband. The pressures of keeping a marriage from falling apart can appear burdensome. New challenges crop up when Ramani recommends the spirited and independent Mrs.Shanta Bai to the company he works for, Engladia Insurance Company.

Mrs.Shanta Bai is no ordinary woman and Savitri can only guess the problems that will crop up with the appearance of this new character in their lives. Ramani aggravates Savitri by borrowing her favorite furniture and giving it to Shanta Bai for furnishing her own office. Naturally, Savitri, who has no alternative or voice to protest, retreats into her own corner. This corner is her dark room.

Betrayals occur in a series and Savitri is left with no choice but to gather all her belongings and walk out. Needless to say, Ramani and the children are shocked by this bold step.

This story does not deal simply with a troubled marriage. Savitri may seem vexed to the point of attempting suicide, but she understands her role in life. The Dark Room portrays the steps she takes to deal with the problems in her life and how she goes about trying to carve an independent space for herself.

Narayan chooses to point out the harsh realities of several women and their roles as wives and mothers within the familial structure that is prevalent in India. He treats Savitri with sympathy and creates a poignant tale.

About R.K. Narayan

R.K. Narayan was born on 10th October, 1906.

The Financial Expert, The Bachelor of Arts, The English Teacher, The Guide, and Swami and Friends are some of his most noted works.

He was an Indian writer of fiction who is best known for his books dealing with the fictional world of Malgudi. One of the leading figures of Indian Literature in English, he is widely read in India and abroad. He graduated from Maharaja College in Mysore and joined as a teacher in a school for a brief period. His first book Swami And Friends, on the recommendation by Graham Greene was published in the year 1935. He died in 2002 at the age of 95.