"Untouchable" Thoughts 2

- What caste is Charat Singh originally from? He seems particularly comfortable with untouchables.
- Does Lahka know what's best for Bakha given the circumstances, or is he just a slave to the Indian caste system?
- Has Bakha always felt trapped in his world, or has he just become aware of his condition and the state of his life? He seems to have become more and more depressed as the plot continues.

"Melancholy" (79)

"Untouchable" Thoughts

- Why is Bakha so obsessed with the British? Is it coming from a place of genuine fascination, longing to have their wealth, or a deep dislike/hatred?

- Can "Untouchables" play professional sports, like field hockey, or is that not allowed?

- Is Lahka just a lazy person, or in his age has he essentially "given up" doing the works his Caste is relegated to?

"Refuse" (25)

"A Temporary Matter" Response

"A Temporary Matter" had an incredible depressing tone, with things continually getting worse and worse as the story progresses.  Although there seemed to be a bit of hope during their blackout games, this all comes crashing down, making this short story ever more depressing to the reader.  This melancholy, depressing tone helps to convey the theme, that a lack of communication often results in a broken relationship.  While the relationship does seemingly get better after they communicate and play this game, the damage is irreparable.  Their relationship was never to be as strong as it once was, and a separation was inevitable.  This story is so depressing, because it really is so real, and so plausible. Real people experience this type of thing all the time, something that really brings out the magnitude of this situation.  By the end of the story, both Shoba and Shakumar are completely broken individuals.  This is a truly sad story.