R. K. Narayan, The Dark Room

Joshua Grasso (East Central University)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 10.3.1.03: Indian Writing and Culture: Post-colonial, 1947-present.
Vol. editors: Claire Gallien (Université Paul Valéry Montpellier 3), Pavan Kumar Malreddy (J W Goethe University of Frankfurt), Delphine Munos (Université de Liège)

Dates

First circulation or publication 1938

Places

India (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Novel

Resources

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Though Narayan’s third novel,

The Dark Room

, is one of his least known, it reveals a side of the author that belies his reputation as a light-hearted humorist. By turns comic and insightful, the novel moves away from the semi-autobiographical narrative of Narayan’s childhood to imagine the cramped, insular world of the Indian wife in a ‘modern’ Indian household. The portrait was undoubtedly inspired by his young wife, Rajam, whom he married in 1934, a woman of great beauty but little formal education. As she was only sixteen when they married, the role of tutor fell uncomfortably on his shoulders, perhaps making him realize how ill-prepared Indian women were to lead fulfilling, self-sufficient lives. Yet she clearly proved a mentor in her own right, since

The Dark Room

takes as…

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2389 words

Citation: Grasso, Joshua. "The Dark Room". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 21 March 2022 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=1124, accessed 26 April 2024.]

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