The Guide,
simple as the typical R.K Narayan’s novels, narrates a story to the readers and
says nothing more than this. You will be surprised when you consider the story
and the narration deeply. The story, as simple as a children story, has a
gravity and a message to deliver to the curious minds contemplating the meaning
and worth of life, musing about death, and thinking about the world.
The major
characters in the novel are Raju, Rosie, Marco, Gafur, Mani, and others are
supporting yet important characters who push the novel ahead at times. Raju is
an impetuous young man. He hurries in the actions without considering the pros
and cons of present and the future. He sees only one thing in the life of him,
the chance to enjoy the life in full colours. Rosie is a young woman, married
to Marco. She is a dancer but has to promise her husband during the marriage
that she will never think of dancing anymore in the future. She, however, is a
supressed artist and wants to flourish one day. Marco is an author searching
for the ancient caves and sculptures here and there. He is a miser in the terms
of his slips. He does not seem to enjoy his conjugal life in spite of a
beautiful wife and ignores her to his works. Gafur is a taxi driver and friend
of Raju. He is a good man who often advises Raju about his bad decisions or
anything else Raju does wrong in his view. Mani is the later clerk of Raju and
Nalini. (Nalini is the changed name of Rosie when she becomes a very famous
dancer.)
The outline
summary of the novel is very easy to remember. I will be posting that soon.
