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Class 12 Alternative English Chapter 4 The Martyr’s Corner
–R K Narayan
About the Author
R. K. Narayan was one of the most prominent Indian writers in English, born on 10 October 1906 in Madras (now Chennai). His full name was Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami. He spent much of his childhood with his grandmother while his father worked as a school headmaster.
Narayan was educated in Mysore and developed a strong interest in literature from an early age. After completing his studies, he began his career as a writer. His first novel, Swami and Friends (1935), introduced the famous fictional town of Malgudi, which became the setting for many of his works.
He is best known for his simple and realistic portrayal of middle-class Indian life. His major works include The Bachelor of Arts, The Guide, and The English Teacher. His short stories, such as The Martyr’s Corner, reflect everyday experiences with gentle humour and deep insight.
Narayan received several awards for his contribution to literature, including the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Padma Bhushan. He continued writing for many years and gained international recognition. He passed away on 13 May 2001, leaving behind a rich legacy in Indian English literature.
Word Notes
Vendor: A person who sells goods on the street, like Rama.
Livelihood: The means of earning a living through daily work.
Pavement: The roadside area where small vendors carry on their trade.
Routine: The regular daily activities followed by Rama.
Customers: People who buy food from Rama’s stall.
Chutney: A side dish given free with food items.
Riot: A violent public disturbance involving groups of people.
Conflict: A clash arising from disagreement, often political in the story.
Martyr: A person who dies for a cause and is later honoured.
Memorial: A structure built to remember a person who has died.
Displacement: Being forced to move from one’s usual place of work.
Decline: A gradual decrease in business and income.
Poverty: A condition of having very little money or resources.
Struggle: Continuous effort to survive under difficult conditions.
Resilience: The ability to endure hardship and adjust to new situations.
Irony: A contrast between what is expected and what actually happens.
Fate: The idea that events are beyond human control.
Survival: Managing to live despite hardships.
Adaptation: Adjusting to new circumstances after loss.
Reality: A true representation of life as it is.
Street economy: Informal system of earning through small roadside businesses.
Hardship: Difficult conditions that test one’s endurance.
Instability: Lack of security in income and livelihood.
Crowd: A large group of people, often seen near Rama’s stall.
Violence: Physical force used during the riot.
Authority: Power held by officials or governing bodies.
Bureaucracy: Administrative system that influences decisions affecting common people.
Sympathy: Feeling of concern for others’ suffering.
Injustice: Unfair treatment faced by Rama due to circumstances.
Loss: The act of losing one’s means of livelihood.
Occupation: A person’s regular work or profession.
Earnings: Money gained from work or business.
Decline of quality: Reduction in the standard of goods due to hardship.
Reputation: Public opinion about a person’s work or character.
Transition: Movement from one stage of life to another.
Endurance: Ability to bear pain or hardship patiently.
Reality of life: The harsh truth faced by ordinary people.
Summary
The Martyr’s Corner by R. K. Narayan is a realistic and thought-provoking story that portrays the fragile life of a common man in the midst of social and political disturbances. The story revolves around Rama, a hardworking street vendor in the fictional town of Malgudi, who earns his living by selling simple food items at a busy street corner.
At the beginning, Rama’s life appears stable and contented. He runs his small business with dedication, attracts a variety of customers, and maintains a modest but steady income. His daily routine reflects the simplicity and struggle of ordinary life. However, this calm existence is suddenly disrupted by a violent political clash that breaks out near his stall.
The turning point of the story comes when the riot leads to the death of a man, who is later declared a “martyr.” The place where Rama used to conduct his business is transformed into a memorial site, and he is forced to move away. This relocation proves disastrous, as he loses his regular customers and his income declines sharply. Gradually, his business collapses, and he is left with no option but to abandon it and take up a low-paying job as a waiter.
The story is marked by deep irony. While the so-called “martyr” is glorified and honoured, Rama, an innocent and hardworking man, suffers the real consequences. Narayan subtly criticizes the way political events and public sentiment often overlook the struggles of ordinary individuals.
Critically, the story highlights themes such as the impact of political unrest on common people, the instability of livelihood, and the indifference of society towards the poor. It also reflects the harsh reality that the lives of simple people can be easily disrupted by forces beyond their control.
In conclusion, The Martyr’s Corner is a powerful narrative that combines realism with irony to present a sympathetic portrayal of human struggle. It exposes the contrast between public glorification and personal loss, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.
Comprehension: Textual Question-Answers
A. State whether these sentences are True or False.
1. Rama liked serving women.
Ans: False. (He did not enjoy serving them as he found their loud and sharp voices irritating).
2. Rama lived in a lane behind the market.
Ans: True.
3. Soda bottles were used as missiles during the riot.
Ans: True.
4. Rama came in time to catch the cinema crowd coming out after the night show.
Ans: False. (He arrived in time to serve the crowd after the evening show).
B. Answer these questions in one or two words.
1. What did Rama give free with every item?
Ans: Chutney.
2. Whose arm searched for the perfect duck’s egg?
Ans: The wrestler’s.
3. Where did Rama sleep?
Ans: On the pyol.
4. How much did four chappatis cost?
Ans: One anna.
5. Where did Rama work as a waiter?
Ans: Restaurant Kohinoor.
C. Answer these questions in a sentence or two.
1. At what time did Rama wake up every day?
Ans: Rama would get up when the neighbour’s cock crowed, sometimes as early as three in the morning.
2. What did Rama sell?
Ans: Rama sold different food items such as bondas, dosais, chappatis, boiled duck’s eggs, and coffee.
3. Who were Rama’s customers?
Ans: His customers included pavement dwellers like boot-polish boys, jutkadrivers, a blind beggar, and grass-selling women.
4. Why did the riot break out?
Ans: The riot started when a man was slapped for questioning another person’s right to speak, which triggered a larger political clash.
D. Answer these questions briefly.
1. Why did Rama’s customers like him?
Ans: His customers liked him because his prices were low and he allowed them to freely handle and select the food before buying.
2. Briefly describe Rama’s attitude towards the boot-polish boys.
Ans: Rama felt pity for the boot-polish boys and was troubled by their poor condition, often wishing others would treat them more kindly.
3. Why did Rama have to move his stall two hundred yards away?
Ans: He had to shift because his usual place was turned into a memorial for a political figure and was no longer available for business.
4. What did Rama’s wife do upon his arrival at night?
Ans: When he returned home, his wife took his things, collected the money, and carefully counted and divided the earnings.
E. Answer these questions in detail.
1. Describe, in detail, how Rama’s business was finished.
Ans: Rama’s business came to an end due to a series of unfortunate events beginning with a violent riot. Because of the disturbance, he had to leave his regular spot at Market Road. Later, he was not allowed to return as the place was declared sacred in memory of a man who had died there. This forced him to move his stall about two hundred yards away. The new location was inconvenient for his regular customers, resulting in a decline in sales. Over time, the quality of his food suffered, and his reputation weakened. Eventually, his income dropped so much that he had to close his business and take up a low-paying job as a waiter.
2. Do you think that Narayan has depicted many aspects of a typical Indian way of life? Write a persuasive answer.
Ans: Yes, R. K. Narayan successfully portrays many features of typical Indian life in the story. He presents the lively street economy through Rama’s stall, showing how small workers like drivers, vendors, and beggars depend on such places for their livelihood. The story also reflects the daily routine and struggles of an ordinary man, along with the supportive role of family, especially in the way Rama’s wife manages finances.
In addition, the story highlights the role of bureaucracy and politics, where small officials are influenced through minor favours, and an ordinary person’s life is disturbed by political conflict and symbolic actions like building memorials.
Finally, the story reflects a sense of acceptance and resilience. Even after losing his business, Rama adjusts to his new situation. Through these aspects, the writer gives a realistic picture of everyday Indian life.
Additional Questions and Answers
A. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Who is the central character in “The Martyr’s Corner”?
(a) Ramu
(b) Rama
(c) Raju
(d) Ravi
Ans: (b)
2. What was Rama’s occupation?
(a) Teacher
(b) Clerk
(c) Street food vendor
(d) Farmer
Ans: (c)
3. Where did Rama set up his stall?
(a) Near a temple
(b) At Market Road corner
(c) In a village
(d) Near a school
Ans: (b)
4. What did Rama give free with every item?
(a) Pickle
(b) Chutney
(c) Sweets
(d) Tea
Ans: (b)
5. What time did Rama usually wake up?
(a) At sunrise
(b) At midnight
(c) When the cock crowed
(d) At noon
Ans: (c)
6. Which of the following was sold by Rama?
(a) Clothes
(b) Books
(c) Food items
(d) Toys
Ans: (c)
7. Who were among Rama’s customers?
(a) Rich businessmen
(b) Government officers
(c) Pavement dwellers
(d) Foreign tourists
Ans: (c)
8. What caused the riot in the story?
(a) A theft
(b) A political argument
(c) A fire accident
(d) A festival
Ans: (b)
9. What objects were used as weapons during the riot?
(a) Stones
(b) Knives
(c) Soda bottles
(d) Sticks
Ans: (c)
10. What happened to Rama’s stall during the riot?
(a) It was expanded
(b) It was abandoned
(c) It was sold
(d) It was repaired
Ans: (b)
11. Why could Rama not return to his original place?
(a) It was destroyed
(b) It was sold
(c) It became a memorial
(d) It was flooded
Ans: (c)
12. How far did Rama move his stall?
(a) Fifty yards
(b) One hundred yards
(c) Two hundred yards
(d) Three hundred yards
Ans: (c)
13. What happened to Rama’s business after relocation?
(a) It improved
(b) It remained the same
(c) It declined
(d) It doubled
Ans: (c)
14. What job did Rama take after losing his business?
(a) Driver
(b) Waiter
(c) Shopkeeper
(d) Watchman
Ans: (b)
15. What is the main theme of the story?
(a) Importance of wealth
(b) Effects of political unrest on common people
(c) Value of education
(d) Power of friendship
Ans: (b) 0 0 0
