INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE, LITERATURE IN HUMANITIES
ISSN-2321-7065
IJELLH, VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
OCTOBER, 2018, PP 85-87.
HYPOCRITICAL ATTITUDES ROOTED IN FEAR CONTRASTED WITH INNOCENCE THAT IS FORGIVING WITHOUT POMP, IN THE STORY “BIG BROTHER” BY PREM CHAND
Dr
A.C.V.Ramakumar,
Asst
Professor(Contract),
Department
of Hindi,
Central
University of Tamilnadu,
Thiruvarur-610005
__________________________________________________________________________
In
this story “BIG BROTHER”, we enter the CHILDREN’S world, especially the relationship between brothers. Here is an
elder brother, who finds it innately difficult to study, mainly because he has
developed a deep-rooted fear and awe of the subjects of study. He is not
inherently free and that is why his brain does not function. Yet he cannot
accept that. He has that inner need to justify his lack and position himself as
superior. He does that by subtle bullying and exploitation of his younger,
lively, fearless brother.
The
story is gently ironic, and you can see how the simple story speaks volumes
which, if one attempted to write as essays, would maybe fill a library.
Here
is the role of fear, comparison, innocence and its link to studies, the
mistaken belief that studies make you superior. Here is also a foretelling of
the future with such attitudes. The bully in childhood becomes a conformist and
the innocent becomes a fresh spring and talented in later life.
There
is also the need to be happy to grow up without fear, and the stress of
“proving oneself”. There is also the link between intelligence and innocence
and fearlessness.
The
genius of Premchand lies in stating, or rather understating, the facts so
simply, almost heartbreakingly, that the message of the need to have happy
attitudes and not being a slave to “studies”, CRIES out to be heard.
It
cries out mainly because the message is inherent in the facts of the story. The
story yet again in Premchand’s masterful
hand becomes a microcosm of a life, and the whole life of happiness and sorrow,
playfulness and seriousness, awe of studies to innocence towards it, the subtle
conformism and bullying comes out.
But
Premchand is gentle all the way. Finally, the boys are together, and the very
innocence of the younger one heals the elder one’s inner pain, and the bully
becomes gentle at the end!!
Here
is Premchand’s gentle celebration of the
innocence and gentle criticism of the hypocritical, superficial bullying. Here
Premchand shows that the “bad” is actually nothing, a small mind trying to
cover up and losing. An innocent mind,
by contrast is free, happy and even forgiving without thought!!
Here
is a moral and message but silently pierced into our brains- a showing of society’s hypocritical cover ups, the soul’s
need to justify mediocrity rooted in fear, and the power and joy of innocence!!
The
message is also applicable to the adult world, and in fact very ironically.
This is the same bullying that happens with other variations where the weak
tries to be strong because it is weak, self- doubtful and fearful.
This
story has got a sharp satire of the hollowness of rationalizing evil and
cruelty. Yet the human side is never missed, and no hate results. One wonders
at how well Premchand’s integration comes out with both the human elements and
the sharp satirical elements contrasted.
Premchand
is not screaming here or shouting. He is not even preaching. He is simply presenting
facts, and gently urging us all to- SEE!!
This
story illustrates the genius and the power inherent in great literature to
“cure” evils and Premchand’s unique and brilliant style of expressing profound
truths through understatement.
REFERENCE:
बडे भाई साहब (BIG
BROTHER) – मुंशी प्रेमचंद्र (BY PREM CHAND)