House For MR Biswas Notes

YORK NOTES
General Editors: Professor A.N. Jeffares ( University

of Stirling ) & Professor Suheil Bushrui ( American
University of Beirut )
V.S. Naipaul
A HOUSE
FOR
MR BISWAS
Notes by Rosemary Pitt
( )
BA D URHA M
Lecturer in English Language and Literature,
City and East London College
YORK PRESS
3 Ol! Bro"#$o% Roa!& 'o%!o% S() *JH
PEARSON EDU+A,-ON '-M-,ED
E!i%.ur/h 0a$e& Harlo1&
Esse2 +M3 JE& U%i$e! Ki%/!o"
Asso4ia$e! 4o"#a%ies& .ra%4hes a%! re#rese%$a$i5es $hrou/hou$ $he 1orl!
6 'i.rairie !u 'i.a% Publishers a%! Pearso% E!u4a$io% 'i"i$e! 337
All ri/h$s reser5e!. No #ar$ of $his #u.li4a$io% "a8 .e re#ro!u4e!& s$ore! i% a
re$rie5al s8s$e"& or $ra%s"i$$e! i% a%8 for" or .8 a%8 "ea%s& ele4$ro%i4&
"e4ha%i4al& #ho$o4o#8i%/& re4or!i%/ or o$her1ise& 1i$hou$ ei$her $he #rior
1ri$$e% #er"issio% of $he Pu.lishers or a li4e%4e #er"i$$i%/ res$ri4$e! 4o#8i%/
i% $he U%i$e! Ki%/!o" issue! .8 $he +o#8ri/h$ 'i4e%si%/ A/e%48 '$!.&
*3 ,o$$e%ha" +our$ Roa!& 'o%!o% (7P 3'P
9irs$ #u.lishe! 7*:
,hir! i"#ressio% 7*:*
-SBN 3;):;<=333;=

Contents
Pat !" Into#u$tion age )
,he life a%! 1or>s of ?. S. Nai#aul )
,he .a4>/rou%! of $he %o5el :
A %o$e o% $he $e2$ 77
Pat %" Su&&aies 7
A /e%eral su""ar8 7
De$aile! su""aries 73
Pat '" Co&&enta( 37
,he a4hie5e"e%$ of $he %o5el 37
,he 4hara4$er of Mr Bis1as 37
S$8le a%! s$ru4$ure 3@
,he "i%or 4hara4$ers <7
Pat )" Hints *o stu#( <*
S#e4i"e% Aues$io%s )3
Mo!el a%s1ers )7
Pat +" Su,,estions *o *ut-e ea#in, )=
,he au$hor of $hese %o$es )*
6'i.rairie Du 'i.a% Publishers a%! Pearso% E!u4a$io% 'i"i$e!

B,his #a/e has .ee% lef$ i%$e%$io%all8 .la%>C

Pat !
Into#u$tion
T-e li*e an# .o/s o* V. S. Naipaul
?i!ia!har SuraD#rasa! Nai#aul 1as .or% i% 7*3 a$ +ha/ua%as i% 4e%$ral
,ri%i!a!. His /ra%!fa$her& 1ho 4a"e fro" a 5illa/e i% U$$ar Pra!esh i%
%or$h;eas$ -%!ia& 1as o%e of $he $housa%!s of i%!e%$ure! la.ourers 1ho
4a"e $o ,ri%i!a! fro" -%!ia i% $he las$ 4e%$ur8 $o 1or> o% $he su/ar #la%;
$a$io%s. ?. S. Nai#aul /re1 u# i% ,ri%i!a! as #ar$ of a lar/e fa"il8 1hi4h
i%4lu!e! o%e .ro$her& Shi5a (1ho is also a %o5elis$)& fi5e sis$ers& a%! fif$8
4ousi%s. ,he fa"il8 1ere Brah"i%s& Hi%!us of $he hi/hes$ 4as$e a%!
s$ri4$l8 or$ho!o2& a%! his 4hil!hoo! 1as s#e%$ i% a Auasi;-%!ia% e%5iro%;
"e%$. ,he 4hil!re%& ho1e5er& 1ere e2#ose! $o o$her i%flue%4es as 1ellE
$he8 1e%$ $o s4hools 1here $he8 "i2e! 1i$h %e/roes a%! Euro#ea%s& a%!
s#o>e E%/lish& ra$her $ha% Hi%!i& as $heir firs$ la%/ua/e. Nai#aul
!es4ri.es hi"self as ha5i%/ .ee% F.or% a% u%.elie5erG.
-% 7*3: $he fa"il8 "o5e! $o $he 4a#i$al 4i$8 of ,ri%i!a!& Por$ of
S#ai%& a%! $he Hi%!u ri$uals .e4a"e rarer. He !es4ri.es $his #erio!
i% $he o#e%i%/ 4ha#$er of his %o5el An Area of !ar"ness a%! 4o";
"e%$sH F,he fa"il8 life $ha$ - ha5e .ee% !es4ri.i%/ .e/a% $o !issol5e
1he% - 1as si2 or se5e%E 1he% - 1as four$ee% i$ ha! 4ease! $o
e2is$G.I ,his !issolu$io% is !es4ri.e! also i% A #ouse for $r Bis%as
$hrou/h $he ,ulsi fa"il8. Nai#aulGs fa$her 1as a Dour%alis$E he fel$
5er8 4lose $o hi"& $hou/h he !es4ri.e! hi" as a F!efea$e! "a%G& a%!
he is $he #ro$o$8#e for Mr Bis1as. 'i>e A%a%!& $he so% of Mr
Bis1as& Nai#aul 1o% a% e2hi.i$io% $o Juee%Gs Ro8al +olle/e i% Por$
of S#ai%& a%! a$ ei/h$ee%& a%o$her s4holarshi# fro" $here $o $he
U%i5ersi$8 of O2for!. He 1as i% E%/la%! 1he% his fa$her !ie!. Af$er
/ra!ua$i%/ 1i$h a% Ho%ours !e/ree i% E%/lish& he 1or>e! as a
re5ie1er a%! i% 7*)) "arrie! a% E%/lish1o"a%. His firs$ %o5el &he
$ystic $asseur 1as #u.lishe! i% 7*)=. He has s#e%$ "u4h of his
life $ra5elli%/& re$ur%i%/ al1a8s $o 'o%!o% .e4ause Fi$ is a /oo!
#la4e for /e$$i%/ los$ i%G. He sees hi"self as a "a% 1i$hou$ roo$sE he
%e5er fel$ a$ ho"e i% ,ri%i!a!& a%! 1ri$es 4ri$i4all8 of i$ i% his .oo>
of $ra5el essa8s &he $iddle Passage (7*@)E a%! he 1as re#elle! .8 -%!ia
1he% he 5isi$e! i$ i% 7*@. -% a% i%$er5ie1 $ha$ 8ear& he sai! $ha$ he ha!
IAn Area of !ar"ness & Pe%/ui% Boo>s& Har"o%!s1or$h& 7*@<& #. 3).

@ K -%$ro!u4$io%
%e5er li5e! i% a%8 house for "ore $ha% $hree;a%!;a;half 8ears& a fa4$
1hi4h is e4hoe! i% A #ouse for $r Bis%as & a%! /i5es /rea$er for4e $o $he
la$$erGs sear4h for a #er"a%e%$ ho"e.
His earl8 fi4$io% L &he $ystic $asseur (7*)=)& &he Suffrage of Elvira
(7*):)& a%! $iguel Street (7*)*) L is .ase! o% his 4hil!hoo! i%
,ri%i!a!. All $hese $ales of ,ri%i!a! -%!ia%s are li/h$& sa$iri4al& a%!
!e$a4he! i% $o%e. ,he8 1ere 1ell;re4ei5e! a%! $1o 1o% #riMes& .u$ $he8
1ere also 4ri$i4ise! for $he 1a8 i% 1hi4h he 1as "a>i%/ fu% of his o1%
#eo#le. He re$alia$e! i% a% essa8 .8 sa8i%/ $ha$ %o%e of $hese 4o""e%$s
1oul! ha5e .ee% "a!e a.ou$ a 4o"i4 9re%4h or A"eri4a% %o5el& or a%
E%/lish sa$iri4al 1ri$er su4h as E5el8% (au/h (7*33L@@)& a%! $ha$ $he8
arose ou$ of a% i/%ora%4e of life i% ,ri%i!a! 1i$hou$ 1hi4h Fi$ is eas8 for
"8 .oo>s $o .e !is"isse! as far4es a%! "8 4hara4$ers as e44e%$ri4sG.I
A #ouse for $r Bis%as & ho1e5er& 1hi4h he fi%ishe! 1ri$i%/ i% 7*@3&
sho1s a fuller i%5ol5e"e%$ 1i$h life i% ,ri%i!a!& a%! $ra%s4e%!s a%8
li"i$a$io%s i"#ose! .8 4ul$ural .arriers. His %e2$ 1or> &he $iddle
Passage (7*@) is a 1or> of %o%;fi4$io%& 4o%sis$i%/ of F-"#ressio%s of
9i5e So4ie$ies L Bri$ish& 9re%4h a%! Du$4h L i% $he (es$ -%!ies a%!
Sou$h A"eri4aG as $he su.;$i$le $ells us. -$ is a $our of $he for"er sla5e
4olo%ies of Suri%a"& Bri$ish 0uia%a& Mar$i%iAue& Ja"ai4a a%! ,ri%i!a!.
,he .oo> sho1s a% i"#a$ie%4e 1i$h 1ha$ Nai#aul sa1 as $he sAualor&
i%effi4ie%48 a%! .i/o$r8 of $he #la4es he 5isi$e! 1i$h $heir F.orro1e!G
4ul$ures. He 1as #raise! for $he lu4i!i$8 1i$h 1hi4h he !efi%e! $he #ro.;
le"s of a #os$;4olo%ial so4ie$8& .u$ $he .oo> "a!e hi" a 4o%$ro5ersial
fi/ure. He 1as a44use! .8 $he 1ell;>%o1% (es$ -%!ia% %o5elis$ 0eor/e
'a""i%/ (au$hor of 'n the Castle of $y S"in & 7*)3& a% au$o.io/ra#hi;
4al a44ou%$ of /ro1i%/ u# i% Bar.a!os) of 1ri$i%/ F4as$ra$e! sa$ireG a%!
usi%/ sa$ire as a refu/e for a 4olo%ial 1ri$er 1ho is Fasha"e! of his 4ul;
$ural .a4>/rou%!G. 'a""i%/ a44use! hi" also of li"i$i%/ his "a$erial
$oo 4losel8 $o $he -%!ia% se/"e%$ of $he #o#ula$io%. Nai#aul $a>es u#
$his #oi%$ i% An Area of !ar"ness & 1he% he a!"i$s $ha$ $he 4o%fro%$a;
$io% of !iffere%$ 4o""u%i$ies is i%4reasi%/l8 fu%!a"e%$al $o $he (es$
-%!ia% e2#erie%4e& .u$ s$a$es $ha$ F$o see $he a$$e%ua$io% of $he 4ul$ure
of "8 4hil!hoo! as $he resul$ of a !ra"a$i4 4o%fro%$a$io% of o##ose!
1orl!s 1oul! .e $o !is$or$ reali$8. ,o "e $he 1orl!s 1ere Du2$a#ose! a%!
"u$uall8 e24lusi5eG. He also a%s1ere! $he for"er 4har/e .8 ar/ui%/ i%
&he $iddle Passage $ha$ 1ha$ $he for"less (es$ -%!ia% so4ie$8 %ee!s is
1ri$ers $o /i5e i$ sha#e& i!e%$i$8& au$he%$i4 5alues& a%! a se%se of !ire4;
$io%& 1ri$ers 1ho are %o$ afrai! $o e"#lo8 $he /if$s of Fsu.$le$8 a%! .ru;
$ali$8G $ha$ are reAuire!. He ar/ues $ha$ for"erl8 iro%8 a%! sa$ire i% 1ri$;
i%/ ha5e %o$ .ee% a44e#$a.le si%4e F$he i%se4ure 1ish $o .e heroi4all8
IF'o%!o%G& &he (vercro%ded Baracoon & Pe%/ui% Boo>s& Har"o%!s1or$h& 7*=@& #. 77.

-%$ro!u4$io% K =
#or$ra8e!G& a%! 4learl8 he has a4hie5e! "u4h as a 1ri$er i% 4o%fir"i%/
$he su44ess of $hese "o!es of 1ri$i%/ for #or$ra8i%/ so4ial 4o"e!8& as
1ell as #ro.i%/ !ee#er issues.
His %e2$ %o5el& $r Stone and the )night*s Comanion (7*@3)& is se$
i% 4o%$e"#orar8 'o%!o% 1i$h a% E%/lish #ro$a/o%is$ a%! is a ri4hl8
hu"orous s$or8 of a 4ler> a%! his fa%$asies. An Area of !ar"ness (7*@<)
re$ur%s $o %o%;fi4$io%& a%! is $he re4or! of his 5isi$ $o $he la%! of his
a%4es$ors& a 5isi$ 1hi4h he fel$ la$er shoul! %o$ ha5e .ee% "a!e si%4e Fi$
ha! .ro>e% "8 life i% $1oG. ,his 1or> is of /rea$ rele5a%4e $o A #ouse
for $r Bis%as+ &he $imic $en (7*@=)& his si2$h %o5el& is a% a44ou%$ of
a (es$ -%!ia% #oli$i4al e2ile i% 'o%!o% 1ho "o5es .e$1ee% his %a$i5e
isla%! of -sa.ella (Nai#aulGs %a"e for ,ri%i!a!) a%! 'o%!o%. -$ is a #o1;
erful a44ou%$ of $he $1o so4ie$ies a%! of $he #ro.le" of roo$less%ess&
1hi4h is a 4e%$ral 4o%4er% of his 1or>. A ,lag on the 'sland & a .oo> of
shor$ s$ories& 1as also #u.lishe! i% 7*@=& a%! 1as follo1e! .8 Nai#aulGs
firs$ a$$e"#$ a$ 1ri$i%/ his$or8& &he Loss of El !orado (7*@*). -$ is a%
i"a/i%a$i5e s$u!8 of F$1o "o"e%$s 1he% ,ri%i!a! 1as $ou4he! .8 his;
$or8G. ,he firs$ is a $ale of /ree!& $he ra4e .e$1ee% Ralei/h a%! $he
S#a%iar! Berrio $o !is4o5er $he $reasure of El Dora!oE $he se4o%! is $he
/o5er%orshi# of $he !es#o$i4 0e%eral Pi4$o%E .o$h e5e%$s su//es$e! $o
Nai#aul $he #au4i$8 of a 4olo%ial so4ie$8 F$ha$ 4oul! refer o%l8 $o ra4e
a%! "o%e8G.
His %e2$ %o5el 'n a ,ree State (7*=7) !eals 1i$h $hree "ai% e#iso!es
4o%4er%i%/& firs$l8& a% -%!ia% ser5a%$ 1ho is $ra%s#la%$e! fro" Bo".a8
$o (ashi%/$o%E se4o%!l8& $1o (es$ -%!ia% .ro$hers 1ho are "o5e! $o
'o%!o%E a%!& fi%all8& a% E%/lish "a% a%! 1o"a% 1ho $ra5el& or flee&
$hrou/h a% Afri4a% 4ou%$r8. -$ is a/ai% a fi%e s$u!8 of roo$less%ess a%! $he
"ea%i%/ of free!o". A fur$her sele4$io% of essa8s e%$i$le! &he
(vercro%ded Baracoon 1as #u.lishe! i% 7*=& a%! has a "ore #oli$i4al
e"#hasis $ha% his o$her 1or>s 1i$h a% a%al8sis of ele4$io%s i% A"eri4a
a%! $he (es$ -%!ies. His ei/h$h %o5el Guerrillas (7*=)) re$ur%s $o $he
so4ie$8 of a s"all $ro#i4al isla%! for i$s #e%e$ra$i%/ a%! !ra"a$i4 a44ou%$
of #oli$i4al i%$ri/ue a%! ra4is"& 1hile his "os$ re4e%$ %o5el A Bend in the
-iver (7*=*) is $he s$or8 of a% Eas$ -%!ia% li5i%/ i% a% isola$e! ou$#os$ o%
$he 4oas$ of Afri4a& 1ho is 4au/h$ u# i% #oli$i4al $ur"oil a%! e5e%$uall8
has $o lea5e. Nai#aul has also #u.lishe! $1o "ore .oo>s of essa8sH 'ndia:
A .ounded Civilisation (7*==)& a% e2$e%!e! s$u!8 of -%!ia% a$$i$u!esE
a%! i% 7*:3& &he -eturn of Eva Peron 1hi4h 4o%$ai%s four #re5iousl8
#u.lishe! essa8s o% Mi4hael N a%! $he Bla4> Po1er Killi%/s i% ,ri%i!a!E
a s$u!8 of Pero%Gs Ar/e%$i%aE a% a44ou%$ of Mo.u$uGs OaPreE a%! a% essa8
o% Jose#h +o%ra!.

: K -%$ro!u4$io%
T-e 0a$/,oun# o* t-e no1el
Tini#a#
,o!a8 Eas$ -%!ia%s (a $er" $ha$ !is$i%/uishes $he" fro" $1o o$her
$8#es of -%!ia%s i% $he +ari..ea% isla%!s L $he A"eri4a% -%!ia%s& a%!
$he (es$ -%!ia%s) 4o"#rise Dus$ o5er o%e;$hir! of $he $o$al #o#ula$io%
of ,ri%i!a!. ,he8 are of Hi%!u or Mosle" .elief. -%!ia 1as $he "ai%
o5erseas sour4e of 4hea# la.our af$er $he a.oli$io% of %e/ro sla5er8 i%
7:3<. No %e/ro 1oul! 1or> o% $he su/ar #la%$a$io%s& $he s4e%es of $heir
sla5er8& a%! $here 1as a s$ea!8 flo1 of la.our i%$o $he (es$ -%!ies
.e$1ee% a.ou$ 7:<) a%! 7*7=. Al"os$ half $he re"ai%!er of $he #o#u;
la$io% is 4o"#ose! of #eo#le of Afri4a% !es4e%$& a%! $he o$her half is
of "i2e! ra4es.
,he firs$ Euro#ea% $o arri5e i% $he isla%! 1as +hris$o#her +olu".us&
1ho !is4o5ere! i$ i% 7<*:. ,he firs$ S#a%ish se$$le"e%$ 1as es$a.lishe!
i% 7)3& a%! $he isla%! 1as use! "ai%l8 as a .ase for e2#e!i$io%s $o $he
"ai%la%! i% sear4h of $he fa.le! la%! of El Dora!o& $he su.De4$ of
Nai#aulGs ei/h$h %o5el. ,here 1as a lar/e i%flu2 of 9re%4h"e% i% $he la$e
ei/h$ee%$h 4e%$ur8& 1ho i%$ro!u4e! $he su/ar 4a%e. Af$er 1ar .ro>e ou$
.e$1ee% S#ai% a%! E%/la%! i% 7=*=& $he isla%! 1as 4a#$ure! a%! 4e!e!
$o E%/la%! i% 7:3. -% 7*@ i$ a4hie5e! i%!e#e%!e%4e 1i$hi% $he Bri$ish
+o""o%1eal$h& a%! .e4a"e a re#u.li4 i% 7*=@.
,he #erio! 4o5ere! i% $he %o5el is a##ro2i"a$el8 $he for$8;si2 8ears of
Mr Bis1asGs life .e$1ee% a.ou$ 7*3) a%! 7*)7. ,he "ai% 4ha%/es 1hi4h
are re4or!e! are $he !e4li%e of $he Hi%!u 4ul$ure a%! ri$uals as $he8
u%!er/o $he #ro4ess of F4reolisa$io%G& a%! $he a44o"#a%8i%/ 4ha%/es i%
a$$i$u!e. Mr Bis1as hi"self is 4au/h$ .e$1ee% $he ol! 4ul$ure fro" -%!ia
a%! $he e"er/i%/ 4ross;fer$ilisa$io%s& 1hi4h are sho1% i% "a%8 1a8s&
4ul"i%a$i%/ i% $he !e#ar$ure of Mr Bis1asGs o1% 4hil!re%& A%a%! a%!
Sa5i& o% s4holarshi#s $o s$u!8 a.roa!. Nai#aulGs o1% 5ie1s o% $his
#ro4ess& as refle4$e! .8 Mr Bis1as i% $he %o5el& a##ear $o .e a".i5ale%$.
He 4learl8 re/re$s $he #assi%/ of so"e of $he ol! $ra!i$io%s& a%! sa$irises
$he %e1 e"#hasis o% "a$erialis" a%! self;a!5a%4e"e%$. -% his essa8 o%
,ri%i!a! i% &he $iddle Passage & 1hi4h is of /rea$ rele5a%4e $o $he %o5el&
he !es4ri.es ,ri%i!a! as a F"a$erialis$ i""i/ra%$ so4ie$8G 1hi4h la4>s a
4ul$ure a%! his$or8 of i$s o1% a%! e"#hasises F"o!er%i$8G a$ all 4os$s& a
"o!er%i$8 1hi4h i%5ol5es i/%ori%/ lo4al #ro!u4$s a%! usi%/ $hose a!5er;
$ise! i% A"eri4a% "a/aMi%es. -$ is a so4ie$8 1hi4h a!"ires $he #i4aroo%
(fro" a si2$ee%$h;4e%$ur8 S#a%ish $er")& or ro/ue& illus$ra$e! i% $he
%o5el .8 $he s$or8 of Bill8 1ho 4hea$s #eo#le of $heir houses. Nai#aul
su""arises his 5ie1 i% his i"a/e of ,ri%i!a! asH FA #easa%$;"i%!e!&

-%$ro!u4$io% K *
"o%e8;"i%!e! 4o""u%i$8& s#iri$uall8 s$a$i4 .e4ause 4u$ off fro" i$s
roo$s& i$s reli/io% re!u4e! $o ri$es 1i$hou$ #hiloso#h8& se$ i% a "a$erial;
is$ 4olo%ial so4ie$8 ...G. Al$hou/h $his essa8 1as 1ri$$e% i% 7*@& $he
5ie1s he e2#resses i% i$ are rele5a%$ $o& a%! refle4$e! i%& A #ouse for
$r Bis%as+ Nai#aul is 4o%4er%e! #ri"aril8 $o !es4ri.e 1ha$ he sees&
ra$her $ha% $o ha%>er af$er $he #as$ i% a %os$al/i4 1a8& or $o offer
#a%a4eas for $he fu$ure. ,he rea!er of $he %o5el is "a!e $o se%se $he
i%e5i$a.ili$8 of #ro/ress& a%! $his is sho1% as ha5i%/ so"e #osi$i5e
as#e4$s. ,he flo1 of A"eri4a% !ollars i%$o $he isla%!& 1i$h $he /ro1i%/
A"eri4a% #rese%4e $here !uri%/ $he Se4o%! (orl! (ar& .ri%/s #ros;
#eri$8& as 1ell as a /ro1i%/ s#iri$ of 4o"#e$i$io%. -$ e%a.les #are%$s $o
se%! $heir 4hil!re% a.roa! $o .e e!u4a$e!. Mr Bis1as fears for his so%Gs
fu$ure if $he .o8 !oes %o$ /e$ so"e >i%! of e!u4a$io%& .u$ his fears are
$ra%sfor"e! i%$o ho#e a%! o#$i"is" 1he% his so% /oes a.roa! o% a
s4holarshi#. ,he e!u4a$io% s8s$e" i$self is 5ie1e! i% a% a".i5ale%$
1a8. -$ is .o$h a #ro/ressi5e for4e a%! res#o%si.le for $he !e4a8 of
Hi%!u $ra!i$io%. -$ is Mr Bis1asGs e!u4a$io% 1hi4h "a>es hi" $hi%>
!iffere%$l8 fro" his illi$era$e .ro$hers a%! Aues$io% $he fa"il8 s$ru4$ure
i% 1hi4h he fi%!s hi"self& Dus$ as i$ is O1a!Gs e!u4a$io%al su#eriori$8
$ha$ au$o"a$i4all8 se4ures his re4o/%i$io% as hea! of $he ,ulsi 4la%. ,he
s8s$e" of e!u4a$io%& ho1e5er& 1i$h i$s e"#hasis o% Euro#ea% $o#i4s& is
sho1% as re"o$e fro" ,ri%i!a!. Mr Bis1as is $au/h$ a.ou$ oases a%!
i/loos o% his e%$r8 $o $he F%e1 1orl!G a$ s4hool i% Pa/o$es& $o#i4s as
re"o5e! fro" his e2#erie%4e as $he 4o"i4 irrele5a%4e of $he assi/%;
"e%$s he is se%$ .8 $he E%/lish s4hool of Dour%alis". Si"ilarl8& A%a%!
4o"es $o see $he sa4re! $hrea! 4ere"o%8 "erel8 as a 4o%5e%ie%$ e24use
for a.se%$i%/ hi"self fro" s4hool& for he a%! his fa$her >%o1 $ha$ he
4oul! %o$ #rese%$ a sha5e! hea! i% s4hool 1i$hou$ i%5i$i%/ ri!i4ule fro"
$he o$her 4hil!re% a%! $ea4hers. He is e%4oura/e! .8 Mr Bis1as $o
s#e%! his re$rea$ lear%i%/ s4hool %o$es& a%! his #erfor"a%4e of $he u/a
a$ Shor$hills is a "o4>er8 L he !i5er$s hi"self .8 s$i4>i%/ flo1er s$e"s
u%!er $he /o!Gs 4hi%& a%! 4a%%o$ $rea$ $he ri$uals seriousl8. ,his is $he
1orl! 1hi4h O1a! a%! his .ro$her She>har ha! e%$ere! F1here e!u4a;
$io% 1as $he o%l8 #ro$e4$io%G.
,hese 4ul$ural 4ha%/es are refle4$e! also i% la%/ua/eE Hi%!i is see% as
$he la%/ua/e of $he so4ie$8 i%$o 1hi4h Mr Bis1as is .or%& .u$ E%/lish
.e/i%s $o .e use! o% #u.li4 o44asio%s& as& for i%s$a%4e& 1he% ,ara
a!!resses $he #ho$o/ra#her a$ Ra/huGs fu%eral& a%! Hi%!i .e4o"es $he
la%/ua/e of i%$i"a48. Mr Bis1as a%! Sha"a .e/i% $heir "arria/e s#ea>;
i%/ i% E%/lish& Ffor $here 1as as 8e$ li$$le frie%!shi# .e$1ee% $he"G. -%
$he 4i$8 i$ 4a% .e a Fse4re$G la%/ua/e& as use! .8 $he 1i!o1s 1he% $he8
5isi$ Mrs ,ulsiGs house& a%! $he Frea!ers a%! lear%ersG u%!ers$a%! Hi%!i&

73 K -%$ro!u4$io%
.u$ 4a%%o$ s#ea> i$. Mr Bis1as hi"self uses E%/lish a$ Ha%u"a% House
Fe5e% 1he% $he o$her #erso% s#o>e Hi%!iG as a /es$ure of re.ellio% a%!
i%!e#e%!e%4eE a%! .8 $he e%! of $he %o5el i$ is ,ri%i!a!ia% +reole
E%/lish 1hi4h hol!s s1a8.
Al$hou/h Nai#aul has #ro$es$e! a/ai%s$ $he i!ea $ha$ $he %o5el is F!o4;
u"e%$ar8G& s$a$i%/ $ha$H F(ha$ - 1oul! !o 1as $o 1ri$e a44or!i%/ $o "8
i"a/i%a$io%& a%! $he% 4o%sul$ #eo#le o% li$$le i$e"s of i%4o%seAue%$ial
i%for"a$io% $o le%! 5i5i!%ess a%! 5erisi"ili$u!e $o $he s$or8G& $he %o5el
!oes re4or! so4ial 4ha%/e i% a 4o%4re$e a%! 4o%5i%4i%/ 1a8. '. (hi$e
su""arises i$ %ea$l8HI
.8 $he e%! of $he %o5el a 1hole his$or8 has #asse! .efore our e8es ....
BNai#aulC 4hro%i4les $he s$a/es i% $he loss of -%!ia& $he shif$ fro" 4ou%;
$r8 $o $o1%& fro" Hi%!i $o E%/lish& fro" a #reo44u#a$io% 1i$h 9a$e $o
a #reo44u#a$io% 1i$h a".i$io%& so $ha$ as 1e "o5e fro" $he 1orl! of
Ra/hu $o $he 1orl! of A%a%!& 1e are !eali%/ %o$ o%l8 1i$h $he life of
a "a% .u$ also 1i$h $he his$or8 of a 4ul$ure.
Hin#uis&
,he reli/io% of Hi%!uis" ori/i%a$e! a"o%/ $he Ar8a% $ri.es i% -%!ia.
Hi%!uis" is .ase! 4hiefl8 o% $he 4as$e s8s$e" ra$her $ha% o% a s8s$e" of
.eliefs or !o4$ri%es. ,here are fi5e "ai% 4as$es& $he hi/hes$ of 1hi4h is
$he Brah"i% or #ries$l8 4as$e& $o 1hi4h Mr Bis1as .elo%/s. Me".ers of
$his 4as$e are $rea$e! 1i$h res#e4$& a%! $o .e a Brah"i% is a si/% of /rea$
s$a$us. ,his is see% i% $he %o5el 1here Mr Bis1as /oes as a .o8 $o ,araGs
house a%! is Fres#e4$e! as a Brah"i% a%! #a"#ere!G. He is !resse! i% a
4lea% dhoti & a%! /i5e% a /if$ of "o%e8 a%! 4lo$h. A/ai%& a$ Pu%!i$
Jaira"Gs& he $ra5els 1i$h hi" $o #erfor" $he "e4ha%i4al si!e of his
offi4es& a%!& Fi%5es$e! 1i$h $he sa4re! $hrea! a%! all $he o$her .a!/es of
4as$eG is e5er81here F$he o.De4$ of re/ar!G. ,he !u$ies of a Brah"i%
i%4lu!e $he #erfor"a%4e of u/a& or 1orshi#& 1hi4h for $he or$ho!o2
Hi%!u is 4e%$re! i% $he ho"e. -$ $a>es #la4e i% a roo" se$ asi!e for $his
#ur#ose a%! 4o%$ai%i%/ a shri%e& 1i$h a% i"a/e of $he fa"il8Gs 4hose%
!ei$8& $o/e$her 1i$h o$her s8".ols of $he sa4re! a%! 5essels a%! i%s$ru;
"e%$s of 1orshi# su4h as .o1ls a%! la"#s. Househol! 1orshi# "a>es
use of fire for #urifi4a$io% (a s8".ol of $he su%)E 1a$er& also for #urifi4a;
$io%E foo!;offeri%/sE i%4e%seE flo1ersE a%! 4oloure! #o1!ers for or%a;
"e%$a$io%. -$ is 4arrie! ou$ a$ 4er$ai% fi2e! $i"esH su%rise& "i!!a8 a%!
su%se$. (he% 1orshi##i%/& $he or$ho!o2 Hi%!u 1ill .e !resse! i% $he $ra;
!i$io%al 1a8& 1eari%/ $he sa4re! $hrea!& a%! 4as$e or se4$ "ar>s
I'. (hi$e& 0+ S+ 1aiaul: A Critical 'ntroduction & Ma4"illa%& 'o%!o%& 7*=)& #. ::.

-%$ro!u4$io% K 77
o% $he forehea! a%! so"e$i"es $he ar"s a%! o$her #ar$s of $he .o!8.
+er$ai% sa4ra"e%$s also $a>e #la4e& a%! are usuall8 four i% %u".erH
.ir$h& i%i$ia$io%& "arria/e& a%! !ea$h. ,he 4ere"o%8 of i%i$ia$io% #la8s
so"e #ar$ i% $he %o5el 1he% A%a%!& !es#i$e his !is$as$e for reli/ious ri$;
ual& .e4o"es a$$ra4$e! .8 $his 4ere"o%8 1hi4h "os$ of his "ale 4ousi%s
ha5e e2#erie%4e!. -$ i%5ol5es .ei%/ i%5es$e! 1i$h $he sa4re! $hrea! a%!
/oi%/ i%$o re$rea$ $o s$u!8 a%! lear% se4re$ 5erses. -$s "ai% a$$ra4$io% for
A%a%! is $he sha5i%/ of $he hea!. He as>s for a #ri%$ of $he /o!!ess
'a>sh"i $o .e hu%/ o% $he 1all of his roo" $o 1ho" he sa8s his
#ra8ers& .u$ $his 1orshi# soo% e%!s 1he% his "ai% "o$i5e for u%!er/o;
i%/ $he 4ere"o%8 L $o "iss s4hool L is $h1ar$e! 1he% Mr Bis1as
arra%/es for i$ $o $a>e #la4e !uri%/ $he lo%/ su""er holi!a8. ,he sa4ra;
"e%$ of !ea$h shoul! $a>e #la4e o% $he .a%> of a sa4re! ri5er& a%! fol;
lo1i%/ $he !ea$h& $he 4or#se shoul! .e 4arrie! $o a sa4re! s#o$ $o .e
4re"a$e!. -% $he 4ase of Mr Bis1as& $he 4re"a$io% $a>es #la4e o% $he
.a%>s of a "u!!8 s$rea".
Hi%!uis" also fi/ures lar/el8 i% $he %o5el as for"i%/ #ar$ of Mr
Bis1asGs 4a"#ai/% a/ai%s$ $he ,ulsis 1he% he Doi%s a .rea>a1a8
"o5e"e%$ of #ro$es$a%$ Hi%!u "issio%aries 1ho ha! 4o"e fro" -%!ia
a%! a!o#$e! $he a%4ie%$ %a"e of FAr8a%sG. ,he8 #rea4h $ha$ 4as$e is
u%i"#or$a%$& $ha$ Hi%!uis" shoul! a44e#$ 4o%5er$s& $ha$ i!ols shoul!
.e a.olishe!& a%! $ha$ 1o"e% shoul! .e e!u4a$e!& $hus F#rea4hi%/
a/ai%s$ all $he !o4$ri%es $he or$ho!o2 ,ulsis hel! !earG. Mr Bis1as is
i"#resse! .8 $he s#ee4hes of $he lea!er& Pa%>aD Rai& a%! fi%!s hi"self
a/reei%/ 1i$h $he i!eas $ha$ i!ols 1ere a% i%sul$ $o $he hu"a% i%$elli;
/e%4e a%! $o 0o!& a%! $ha$ a "a%Gs 4as$e shoul! .e !e$er"i%e! o%l8 .8
his a4$io%s& a #oi%$ 1hi4h see"s $o .e #ro5e! .8 his .ro$her;i%;la1
Ra"4ha%! 1hose 4lea% a%! 4o"for$a.le hu$ Fi%!i4a$e! lo1%ess i% %o
1a8G. Pa%>aD Rai is soo% !is4re!i$e! a%! his #la4e $a>e% .8
Shi5lo4ha%& .& a%! $he "o5e"e%$ see"s $o !isi%$e/ra$e a"i!s$ ar/u;
BA
"e%$s a.ou$ $he rela$i5e 5ir$ues of #ea4eful #ersuasio% or "ili$a%$ 4o%;
5ersio%. Ho1e5er& Mr Bis1as 4o%$i%ues $o .e i%flue%4e! .8 his Hi%!u
.a4>/rou%!& as 1e see 1he%& for e2a"#le& he re4i$es $he 1or!s FRa"a
Ra"aG as #ro$e4$io% !uri%/ $he s$or" a$ 0ree% ?ale& a%! Hi%!uis" is
a 5i$al a%! i%$e/ral #ar$ of $he %o5el.
A note on t-e te2t
A #ouse for $r Bis%as 1as firs$ #u.lishe! .8 A%!rQ Deu$s4h& 'o%!o%&
i% 7*@7. ,he Pe%/ui% #a#er.a4> e!i$io%& Pe%/ui% Boo>s& Har"o%!s;
1or$h& 7*@*& is referre! $o i% $hese No$es.

Pat %
Su&&aies
of
A HOUSE 9OR MR B-S(AS
A ,eneal su&&a(
Mohu% Bis1as is a ,ri%i!a!ia% -%!ia% 1ho !ies a$ $he a/e of for$8;si2
i% a house i% Por$ of S#ai% 1here he has .ee% li5i%/ 1i$h his 1ife a%!
four 4hil!re%. He 1as .or% i% a 4ou%$r8 5illa/e& surrou%!e! .8 ill
o"e%s. His fa"il8 is s4a$$ere! af$er his fa$herGs !ea$h a%! he "o5es
1i$h his "o$her $o Pa/o$es. A$ s4hool he !is4o5ers a $ale%$ for le$$eri%/&
a%! la$er .e4o"es a si/%;1ri$er. -%i$iall8& ho1e5er& he is se%$ .8 his au%$
,ara $o $he househol! of a #u%!i$ $o lear% $o .e a Hi%!u #ries$E .u$ he
lea5es i% !is/ra4e af$er ei/h$ "o%$hs a%! 1or>s i% a ru" sho# ru% .8
,araGs !ru%>e% .ro$her;i%;la1. Af$er .ei%/ 1ro%/full8 a44use! of s$eal;
i%/ he Doi%s a for"er s4hoolfrie%! i% $he si/%;1ri$i%/ .usi%ess& i% $he
4ourse of 1hi4h he /oes $o Ha%u"a% House& $he ho"e of $he ,ulsis. He
is $he% $ra##e! i%$o #ro"isi%/ $o "arr8 Sha"a& $he si2$ee%;8ear;ol!
!au/h$er of Mrs ,ulsi& as he is of $he ri/h$ Hi%!u 4as$e. No !o1r8 is
offere! a%! he is e2#e4$e! $o Doi% $he fa"il8 1or>for4e .8 1or>i%/ o%
$he la%! 1i$h $he o$her hus.a%!s. He i""e!ia$el8 re.els& .u$ 1i$hou$
a%8 "o%e8 or #osi$io% of his o1% he fi%!s hi"self !e#e%!e%$ o% $he
,ulsi househol! fro" $he% u%$il shor$l8 .efore his !ea$h. Af$er su44ess;
full8 !isru#$i%/ $he s"oo$h ru%%i%/ of $he house& Mr Bis1as is se%$ $o
a s"all rural 5illa/e& ,he +hase& $o a4$ as "a%a/er of a ,ulsi foo! sho#.
Duri%/ $he si2 8ears he s#e%!s $here 1i$h his /ro1i%/ fa"il8& $he sho#
4o%$i%uall8 loses "o%e8& a%! his fa"il8 s#e%! a% i%4reasi%/ a"ou%$ of
$i"e a$ Ha%u"a% House. 9i%all8 he Doi%s $he" $here& a%! is $he% se%$ $o
0ree% ?ale $o a4$ as o5erseer for Mrs ,ulsiGs #o1erful .ro$her;i%;la1.
He is 1holl8 u%sui$e! $o su4h 1or> a%! feels #erse4u$e! .8 $he la.our;
ers u%!er hi".
He suffers a "e%$al .rea>!o1% a%! has $o re$ur% $o Ha%u"a% House $o
4o%5ales4e af$er a s$or" !es$ro8s $he ra"sha4>le house he has .uil$.
9or4e! $o ear% his li5i%/ a/ai%& he lea5es $he ,ulsis a%! /oes $o s$a8 1i$h
his sis$er a%! her hus.a%! i% Por$ of S#ai%. He fi%!s 1or> as a Dour%alis$
o% $he Sentinel %e1s#a#er& a%! $his lea!s $o a re4o%4ilia$io% 1i$h $he
,ulsis. He /oes $o li5e 1i$h his fa"il8 a$ Mrs ,ulsiGs house i% $he 4i$8
1hi4h she shares 1i$h her 8ou%/er so%& O1a!& u%$il he is se%$ a.roa! $o
s$u!8 "e!i4i%e.

Su""aries K 73
Mr Bis1as $a>es a /ro1i%/ i%$eres$ i% $he e!u4a$io% of his so% A%a%!
a%! a 4lose rela$io%shi# !e5elo#s .e$1ee% $he". Mea%1hile $he ,ulsis
"o5e $o a% es$a$e a$ Shor$hills a%! Mr Bis1as is #ersua!e! $o Doi% $he".
,he ,ulsi fa"il8 .e/i%s $o !isi%$e/ra$e u%!er %e1 so4ial a%! e4o%o"i4
#ressures& a%! Mr Bis1as lea5es af$er $he house he .uil!s $here is
!es$ro8e! .8 a fire. He re$ur%s $o Mrs ,ulsiGs 4ro1!e! house i% $he 4i$8
a%! re"ai%s $here u%$il he "o5es $o his o1% house i% Si>>i" S$ree$ af$er
a fier4e Auarrel 1i$h Mrs ,ulsi a%! O1a!. His Do. a$ $he Sentinel has
4ha%/e! $o $ha$ of so4ial i%5es$i/a$or of FDeser5i%/ Des$i$u$esG 1hi4h
lea!s $o a %e1 lease of life 1he% he is /i5e% a /o5er%"e%$ #os$ i% a
So4ial (elfare De#ar$"e%$. His ho#es& ho1e5er& i%4reasi%/l8 4e%$re o%
A%a%!& 1ho 1i%s a% e2hi.i$io% $o $he #res$i/ious Juee%Gs +olle/e i% $he
4i$8. ,he house i% Si>>i" S$ree$ lea!s Mr Bis1as i%$o hea58 !e.$& es#e;
4iall8 as i$ is o5er;#ri4e! a%! i% %ee! of "aDor re#airs& .u$ he is o5erDo8e!
a$ #ossessi%/ his o1% house a%! la%!.
Af$er $he /o5er%"e%$ !e#ar$"e%$ is !is.a%!e!& he re$ur%s $o $he
Sentinel u%$il #u$ o% half;#a8 1he% he !e5elo#s hear$;$rou.le a%! is
e5e%$uall8 !is"isse!. A%a%! is %o1 s$u!8i%/ a$ u%i5ersi$8 i% E%/la%!
a%! !oes %o$ re$ur% !uri%/ his fa$herGs ill%ess& .u$ his !au/h$er& Sa5i&
re$ur%s a%! /e$s a 1ell;#ai! Do.. Mr Bis1as $he% !ies su!!e%l8 a%!
re4ei5es a $ra!i$io%al Hi%!u 4re"a$io%& af$er 1hi4h his 1ife a%! 4hil!re%
re$ur% $o $he e"#$8 house.
3etaile# su&&aies
Polo,ue
Mr Bis1as is !is"isse! fro" his Do. a$ $he Sentinel $e% 1ee>s .efore his
!ea$h. Nei$her he %or his 1ife ha5e a%8 "o%e8 $o #a8 $he "or$/a/e o%
$he house& .u$ he is 4o"for$e! .8 his 1ifeGs effor$s $o hel# hi" i%s$ea! of
re$ur%i%/ $o her fa"il8 a%! .8 $he 1o%!er a%! $riu"#h of ha5i%/
a4Auire! his o1% house 1here he 4a% 1a%!er freel8 a%! feel se4ure. ,he
house 1as .ou/h$ fro" a 4orru#$ soli4i$orGs 4ler> 1ho ha! 4o%4eale! i$s
sho!!i%ess a%! "a>eshif$ !esi/% fro" $he ea/er Mr Bis1as. As soo% as
he a%! his 1ife Sha"a (1ho ha! sho1% hos$ili$8 $o $he i!ea a%! ha!
refuse! $o loo> a$ $he house) "o5e i%& $he8 !is4o5er all $he !efe4$s i% i$s
s$ru4$ure a%! la8ou$E .u$ $he8 a!a#$ $o $hese Aui4>l8& a%! i$ see"s $o Mr
Bis1as L o% his firs$ re$ur% fro" hos#i$al L a 1el4o"i%/ a%! rea!8;"a!e
1orl!.
H ,his i%$ro!u4$io% re#or$s $he !ea$h of $he %o5elGs "ai%
+OMMEN,ARY
4hara4$er& Mr Bis1asE $hus 1e >%o1 $ha$ $he "ai% .o!8 of $he %o5el 1ill

7< K Su""aries
$ra4e his life u# $o $his #oi%$& a%! 1hile $he ele"e%$ of sur#rise is $a>e%
a1a8 .8 >%o1i%/ of $he !ea$h& Nai#aul is free $o use a 5arie$8 of s$8lis;
$i4 !e5i4es su4h as flash.a4> s4e%es !e#i4$i%/ e5e%$s #rior $o $he %arra;
$i5e a%! #re!i4$io% of fu$ure e5e%$s& 1hi4h i%5ol5e us 4losel8 i% Mr
Bis1asGs life. (e are also i%for"e! of ho1 "u4h $he house "a$$ers $o Mr
Bis1as as a s8".ol of his free!o" a%! i%!e#e%!e%4e.
H
NO,ES AND 0'OSSARY
0i,4s-ot" a su44essful .usi%ess "a%
t-e Meditations o* Ma$us Auelius" Mar4us Aurelius 1as Ro"a%
E"#eror fro" 7@7 $o 7:3E he .elie5e! i% $he
AD AD
#hiloso#h8 of S$o4is" 1hi4h #rea4he! $ha$ 5ir$ue is
$he ai" of life a%! $ha$ $he #assio%s a%! a##e$i$es
shoul! .e ri/i!l8 su.!ue!
3ese1in, 3estitutes" #eo#le li5i%/ 1i$hou$ $he .asi4 %e4essi$ies a%!
!eser5i%/ su##or$
una$$o&&o#ate#" $he fi%al 1or! of $he #rolo/ue is a% e4ho of
Sha>es#eareGs $ra/e!8 )ing Lear (---.<)& 1he%
'ear& o% seei%/ $he .e//ar& Poor ,o"& o% $he hea$h&
sa8sH FU%a44o""o!a$e! "a% is %o "ore .u$ su4h a
#oor& .are& for>e! a%i"al as $hou ar$G
PAR, 7
C-apte !" Pastoal
Mr Bis1as 1as .or% a1a8 fro" his fa$herGs 5illa/e i% $he hu$ .elo%/i%/
$o his /ra%!"o$her Bissoo%!a8e. He is .or% $he 1ro%/ 1a8 rou%!& a$
"i!%i/h$& a%! 1i$h si2 fi%/ers& all of 1hi4h are see% as #or$e%$s of ill;lu4>
a%! !isas$er. ,he #u%!i$ also #re!i4$s $ha$ $he .o8 1ill .e a le4her a%! a
s#e%!$hrif$ .e4ause of his 1i!el8 s#a4e! $ee$h& a%! $ha$ he shoul! .e >e#$
a1a8 fro" $rees a%! 1a$er. He 1ill also ha5e a% u%lu4>8 s%eeMe& as ha#;
#e%s o% $he o44asio% of his fa$herGs !ro1%i%/ i% $he #o%!.
Af$er his fa$herGs !ea$h $he fa"il8 ha5e $o lea5e& a%! $hus Mr Bis1as
es4a#es $he e2#e4$e! 4ourse of e5e%$s. ,his 1oul! ha5e "ea%$ his
re"ai%i%/ illi$era$e a%! 1or>i%/ as a /rass;4u$$er i% $he fiel!s& #erha#s
sa5i%/ e%ou/h "o%e8 $o re%$ or .u8 a fe1 a4res of la%! 1here he 4oul!
#la%$ his o1% su/ar 4a%es. ,his is a #a$h 1hi4h his .ro$her Pra$a# fol;
lo1sE he e5e% .e4o"es #ros#erous& 1i$h a house of his o1%. ,ara& his
"o$herGs sis$er& 4o"es $o or/a%ise his fa$herGs fu%eral& a%! $a>es his sis;
$er& Dehu$i& $o li5e 1i$h her. His "o$her& Bi#$i& lea5es her 5illa/e af$er
her /ar!e% is ra%sa4>e! .8 so"e %ei/h.ours 1ho "is$a>e%l8 .elie5e
$ha$ her hus.a%!& 1ho 1as $hou/h$ $o .e $he ri4hes$ "a% i% $he 5illa/e&

Su""aries K 7)
ha! .urie! .a/s of "o%e8 $here. She $a>es Mr Bis1as 1i$h her $o $he
$o1% of Pa/o$es& 1here $he8 li5e as !e#e%!e%$ rela$io%s of ,ara i% a .a4>
s$ree$. ,he $1o .ro$hers are se%$ $o 9eli4i$8 $o 1or> o% $he su/ar es$a$es
a%! Mr Bis1as& 1ho fi%!s hi"self i%4reasi%/l8 !is$a%$ fro" his "o$her&
feels isola$e! a%! alo%e.
H ,he firs$ 1or!s s#o>e% i% $his 4ha#$er& 1hi4h refer $o 9a$e
+OMMEN,ARY
a%! ho1 #eo#le 4a%%o$ fi/h$ i$& su""arise %ea$l8 $he a$$i$u!e of $he ol!er
/e%era$io% of -%!ia% Hi%!us fro" 1hi4h Mr Bis1as !es4e%!s. He !iffers
ra!i4all8 fro" $he"& ho1e5er& i% $ha$ he a$$e"#$s $o !e$er"i%e $he 4ourse
of his life hi"self i% a% a4$i5e 1a8& !es#i$e all $he ill o"e%s a%! #es;
si"is" e2#resse! a$ his .ir$h. ,he 5alue of ho"es a%! houses is also
e"#hasise! i% $he fi%al #ara/ra#h& si%4e 1e are $ol! $ha$ Mr Bis1as is
%o1 lea5i%/ F$he o%l8 house $o 1hi4h he ha! so"e ri/h$G a%! 1ill .e a
F1a%!ererG for $he %e2$ $hir$8;fi5e 8ears 1i$hou$ a house of his o1%& a%!
his o%l8 fa"il8 1ill .e $he ,ulsis 1i$h $heir Fe%/ulfi%/ 1orl!G.
H
NO,ES AND 0'OSSARY
pun#it" a Hi%!u lear%e! i% $he Sa%s>ri$ la%/ua/e& a%! $he
s4ie%4e& la1s a%! reli/io% of -%!ia
al&ana$" a re/is$er of $he !a$es of $he 8ear& i%4lu!i%/ #re!i4;
$io%s a.ou$ $he fu$ure
&il/&ai#s ... 5o# Kis-na" Krish%a& $he Hi%!u /o! of fire a%! li/h$E
a44or!i%/ $o Hi%!u le/e%! he 1as a .ra5e& .eau$i;
ful 8ou$h .rou/h$ u# .8 4o1her!s& a%! ha! lo5e;
affairs 1i$h $he "il>"ai!s
t-e S-i1a #an$e" Shi5a is $he $hir! !ei$8 i% $he Hi%!u $ri%i$8& re#re;
se%$i%/ $he !es$ru4$i5e #ri%4i#le i% life& .u$ also a
res$ori%/ or re%o5a$i%/ #o1erE also $he 0o! of
Da%4e
#-oti" loi%;4lo$h
$aie# .ei,-t" 1as 4o%si!ere! i%flue%$ial
sa0ots" 1oo!e% shoes
oti" a #a%4a>e
pi6uet" #i4>e$E a s$a>e or #e/
-i0is$us" a shru. 1i$h lar/e re! or #i%> flo1ers
$ala0as-" $he shell of a /our! use! as a !ri%>i%/ 5essel or
!o"es$i4 u$e%sil
-enna" a !8e
$-o$/ up" $o 1e!/e i% or!er $o #re5e%$ sli##i%/
e$7e&a" a s>i% !isease
maharajin " $he 1ife of a mahara/a& $he $i$le assu"e! .8 so"e
-%!ia% #ri%4es

7@ K Su""aries
C-apte %" Be*oe t-e Tulsis
No $ra4es re"ai% of Mr Bis1asGs .ir$h#la4e& al$hou/h $he la%! his "o$h;
er o%4e o1%e! la$er 8iel!s oil& a%! $he s1a"# re/io% .e4o"es a /ar!e%
4i$8. E5e% his .ir$h 4er$ifi4a$e has $o .e i%5e%$e! a%! !ra1% u# .8 a
Musli" soli4i$or& 9. O. 0ha%8. A$ $he "issio% s4hool he is $au/h$ .8 'al&
a 4o%5er$e! Hi%!u& a%! lear%s "a%8 useless fa4$s. He .efrie%!s Ale4&
1ho sho4>s $he s4hool .8 $a>i%/ Do!!Gs Ki!%e8 Pills a%! #assi%/ .lue
uri%e. ,he8 >ee# $heir ho"e li5es se4re$& #ar$l8 .e4ause Mr Bis1as is %o$
ha##8 $here a%! s$ill 5ie1s i$ as a $e"#orar8 arra%/e"e%$. He feels
!e$a4he! fro" his .ro$hers& %o1 /ro1% "e%& a%! o%l8 sees his sis$er
1he% $a>i%/ #ar$ i% a reli/ious 4ere"o%8 a$ his au%$Gs house& 1here he is
res#e4$e! as a Brah"i% a%! $rea$e! 1i$h ho%our. He also /oes $here $o
rea! $o his u%4le ADo!ha fro" F,ha$ Bo!8 of YoursG. Af$er si2 8ears Mr
Bis1as is $a>e% a1a8 fro" s4hool& a%! /oes $o li5e 1i$h #u%!i$ Jaira"
1here he lear%s reli/ious 4ere"o%ies& i%4lu!i%/ $he "or%i%/ #ra8er 4er;
e"o%8& or u/a+ ,1o e#iso!es !is4re!i$ hi" L o%e 1he% he s$eals $1o
.a%a%as& a%! $he o$her 1he% he !efiles $he sa4re! olea%!er $ree 1i$h his
soile! ha%!>er4hief. He re$ur%s $o his "o$her i% Pa/o$es& a% i%4i!e%$ he
la$er ro"a%$i4ises i% a #oe"E .u$ he is soo% se%$ $o $he sor!i! ru" sho#
1here he re.els a/ai%s$ u%4le Bha%!a$Gs "ea% a%! sus#i4ious %a$ure .8
s#i$$i%/ i% $he ru" 1he% he .o$$les i$. He lea5es (af$er a 5iole%$ s4e%e
1here he is a44use! of s$eali%/ "o%e8) !e$er"i%e! $o es$a.lish his i%!e;
#e%!e%4e a%! /e$ his o1% Do. a%! house. Duri%/ his hu%$ for a Do. he 5is;
i$s Dehu$i a%! her hus.a%! Ra"4ha%!& ,araGs !is/ra4e! 8ar! .o8E
al$hou/h he feels 5er8 se#ara$e fro" his sis$er& he is i"#resse! $ha$ $heir
hu$ is 4lea% a%! 4o"for$a.le 1i$h %o si/%s of Ra"4ha%!Gs lo1er 4as$e. A
"ee$i%/ 1i$h Ale4 $he% lea!s $o his Do. as si/%;1ri$er. He es4a#es i%$o
%o5els i% sear4h of ro"a%4e& a%! i!e%$ifies 1i$h $he heroes of Sa"uel
S"iles. 9i%all8 his sear4h $a>es hi" $o Ha%u"a% House i% Ar1a4as.
H
NO,ES AND 0'OSSARY
Ralei,-8s #ea&" Sir (al$er Ralei/h ( c+7))L7@7:)& $he E%/lish
e2#lorer& sol!ier a%! #oe$& sear4he! i% 5ai% for /ol!
i% Sou$h A"eri4a
oil #ei$/s" $he s$ru4$ures .uil$ o5er oil 1ells
Pes0(teianis&" Pro$es$a%$ +hris$ia% reli/io% $ra4i%/ i$s ori/i% $o
+al5i%is"
a**i#a1it" a 5olu%$ar8 affir"a$io% s1or% .efore a #erso% Aual;
ifie! $o a!"i%is$er a% oa$h
ta&ain# o#" a s$i4> "a!e fro" $he .ra%4h of a $a"ari%! $ree
0o#i$e" a $8#e of 5es$

Su""aries K 7=
le,4o*4&utton slee1es" slee5es i% $he sha#e of a le/ of "u$$o%
#u,stoe" a 4he"is$Gs sho#& of$e% selli%/ a 5arie$8 of i$e"s i%
a!!i$io% $o $he 4he"is$Gs $ra!i$io%al 1ares
Bells Standard Elocutionist " a "a%ual o% elo4u$io% #ra4$i4e& firs$ #u.;
lishe! 7:@3& 1i$h a lar/e 4olle4$io% of #ie4es of
#oe$r8 a%! #rose for re4i$a$io%
Ramayana " a% a%4ie%$ -%!ia% e#i4 #oe" 1hi4h $ells of $he
e2#loi$s of $he /o! Ra"a
sa$e# t-ea#" $he uavita& 1or% .8 u##er;4as$e "e".ers a44or!;
i%/ $o Hi%!u 4us$o"E i$ is a 4o$$o% $hrea! of $hree
s$ra%!s& 1hi4h a /uru /i5es $o a .o8 a$ his i%i$ia$io%
4ere"o%8 .e$1ee% $he a/es of ei/h$ a%! $1el5e
tulsi" a s#e4ies of $he her. .asil& sa4re! $o $he Hi%!u /o!
?ish%u
0i$a0onate o* so#a" a #o1!er use! $o 4ure i%!i/es$io%
puja" Hi%!u 4ere"o%8 of 1orshi#
Sans/it" $he a%4ie%$ la%/ua/e of $he Hi%!u sa4re! 1ri$i%/s
&ai,ol#s9 7innias9 olean#es" flo1ers 1hi4h /ro1 lo4all8
alle,o(" a %arra$i5e i% 1hi4h $he i!eas a%! 4hara4$ers #or;
$ra8e! also refer $o 1i!er& a.s$ra4$ 4o%4e#$sE a%
e2$e%!e! "e$a#hor
#( ,oo#s s-op" sho# selli%/ 4lo$hes& !ra#er8 a%! so for$h& as !is$i%;
/uishe! fro" a /ro4er8
o$/ $a/es" har! .u%s 4o%$ai%i%/ 4urra%$s
in t.o t.os" i% a fe1 "o"e%$s
Hall Caine" Sir ,ho"as He%r8 Hall +ai%e (7:)3L7*37)& a%
E%/lish %o5elis$ 1ho 1ro$e &he $an2man (7:*<)
Maie Coelli" a% E%/lish ro"a%$i4 %o5elis$ (7:))L7*<)
Sa&uel S&iles" a #oli$i4al #hiliso#her (7:7L7*3<) 1ho 1ro$e Self3
hel (7:)*) a%! !uty (7::3)& #rea4hi%/ $he 5ir$ues
of $hrif$ a%! har! 1or>
A&ein#ian" a 4o%$ra4$io% of FA"eri4a%;-%!ia%G
C-apte '" T-e Tulsis
Ha%u"a% House& a%! $he re#u$a$io% of $he ,ulsis a"o%/ Hi%!us& are
!es4ri.e! i% !e$ail. ,he8 are res#e4$e!& $hou/h li$$le is >%o1% a.ou$
$he". Mr Bis1as #asses a %o$e $o Sha"a a%! is 4alle! $o a% i%$er5ie1
1i$h her "o$her a%! u%4le Se$h. He is fou%! $o .e a sui$a.le hus.a%!
a%! sur#rises hi"self .8 a/reei%/ $o "arr8 Sha"a. Af$er $he 4ere"o;
%8 he .e/i%s $o $hi%> of es4a#eE he is a##alle! a$ $he hierar4hi4al
or/a%isa$io% of $he house 1here $he !au/h$ersG hus.a%!sG %a"es are

7: K Su""aries
for/o$$e% a%! $he8 are e2#e4$e! $o .e4o"e si"#l8 ,ulsis. He re.els a%!
re$ur%s $o Pa/o$es. Here& ho1e5er& he fi%!s $ha$ he has a4hie5e! %e1
s$a$us 1i$h his rela$io%s a%! s$ar$s $o a44e#$ his role& a%! soo% re$ur%s
$o $he ,ulsi house $o fi%! $ha$ he is see% $here %o1 as $rou.leso"e& !is;
lo8al a%! u%$rus$1or$h8. His i%5e4$i5e a/ai%s$ $he ,ulsis& #ar$i4ularl8
$he Fli$$le /o!sG& !e5elo#s i%$o a 4a"#ai/% a/ai%s$ $he". He .e4o"es
i%5ol5e! 1i$h a .rea>a1a8 Hi%!u "o5e"e%$ a%! sa$irises $he ,ulsis for
.ei%/ false Hi%!us .8 se%!i%/ $heir so%s $o a Ro"a% +a$holi4 4olle/e.
,he 4o%fro%$a$io% 4o"es $o a hea! 1he% Mr Bis1as refuses $he offer;
i%/ a$ $he u/a a%! $he% s#ills a #la$eful of foo! o% Sha"aGs .ro$her
O1a!. He is a$$a4>e! .8 her .ro$her;i%;la1 0o5i%!& a%! $he% or!ere!
.8 Se$h $o lea5e.
H
NO,ES AND 0'OSSARY
&on/e(4,o# Hanu&an" a 4hara4$er i% $he -amayana& 1orshi##e! as a
!ei$8 i% -%!ia
t-e Mutin(" a risi%/ (7:3=L*) a"o%/ -%!ia% re/i"e%$s i% Bri$ish
ser5i4e i% %or$h a%! 4e%$ral -%!ia
Pun$-" $he fa"ous #u##e$ of Pu%4h a%! Ju!8 sho1s
po,nat-ous" 1i$h #roDe4$i%/ Da1s
1o,ue" fashio%a.le su44ess
0lu$-es" ol!;fashio%e! lo1 .oo$s
topee" a su%;ha$
$eole" a !es4e%!a%$ of Euro#ea% se$$lers i% $he (es$ -%!ies
&an,o" a $ro#i4al frui$
a eal ,u&4pot" a !iffi4ul$ si$ua$io%
0ain4*ee#in, &eals ... *is-" fish has a hi/h #ro$ei% 4o%$e%$
-ats-on" s"elli%/ sal$s
5ini&ent" a liAui! #re#ara$io% for ru..i%/ o% .ruises or sores
0u**oon" a 4o"i4 fi/ure or fool
BA 55B" !e/rees of .a$4helor of ar$s& .a4helor of la1s
spouses" hus.a%!s or 1i5es
$at4in40a," a% arra%/e! "arria/e
a epu0li$" a 4ou%$r8 1i$hou$ a "o%ar4h or a.solu$e ruler
a sepent" a .e$ra8er
Discourses o* Epi$tetus" E#i4$e$us ( ))L73)) 1as a 0ree> s$oi4
AD
#hiloso#her
#oo#lin," !ra1i%/ fi/ures i% a 4asual "a%%er
sal&on onl( on :oo# Fi#a(" i% i"i$a$io% of $he Ro"a% +a$holi4 4us;
$o"
a *la&0eau" a $or4h

Su""aries K 7*
C-apte )" T-e C-ase
Mr Bis1as "o5es $o $his isola$e! 5illa/e $o "a%a/e a s"all foo! sho#& a
5e%$ure 1hi4h is !es$i%e! $o fail fro" $he .e/i%%i%/ as $here is a lar/e
%u".er of su4h sho#s. ,o Mr Bis1as his s$a8 $here see"s al1a8s F$e";
#orar8 a%! %o$ Aui$e realG& a #re#ara$io% for real life else1here. ,he sho#
is ,ulsi #ro#er$8E $he house is .lesse! .8 .ro$her;i%;la1 Hari a$ Sha"aGs
i%sis$e%4e. E5e% his !au/h$er& Sa5i& is %a"e! .8 Se$h a%! Hari& a%! is
see% as a ,ulsi. ,he !e4li%e of $he .usi%ess is fur$here! .8 Mr Bis1asGs
a$$e"#$ $hrou/h $he 4orru#$ la18er& See.ara%& $o re/ai% los$ 4re!i$. He
hi"self /e$s i%$o !e.$ as a resul$. He fi%!s he has a/e! !uri%/ $hese si2
8ears of .ore!o" a%! fu$ili$8& .u$ he re"ai%s o#$i"is$i4 $ha$ Fso"e %o.ler
#ur#ose a1ai$e! hi"G& a%! 4o%soles hi"self 1i$h reli/io% a%! #hiloso;
#h8& #ai%$i%/ forei/% la%!s4a#es a%! i%!ul/i%/ i% e44e%$ri4 ha.i$s. A so%
is .or% a%! his fa"il8 s#e%! "ore $i"e a1a8 a$ Ha%u"a% House. He
1i%s a44e#$a%4e $here as a #erso% s>ille! i% 1i$ a%! ar/u"e%$ a%! 5ie1s
i$ as a sa%4$uar8 fro" $he i"#erso%al ou$er 1orl!. A$ $he sa"e $i"e he
rese%$s i$s hol! o5er his fa"il8& a%! 1he% Sha"a !e4lares she 1a%$s $o
re$ur% $here for /oo!& $he8 Auarrel freAue%$l8 u%$il he hi$s her. He !oes
%o$ see her u%$il $heir $hir! 4hil! is .or%& 1he% he $oo lea5es ,he +hase
a%! Doi%s her a$ Ha%u"a% House& s$a8i%/ $here u%$il he is /i5e% 1or> o%
$he es$a$e a$ 0ree% ?ale.
H ,his 4ha#$er hi/hli/h$s Mr Bis1asGs /ro1i%/ fear of $he
+OMMEN,ARY
fu$ure as a .la%>%ess a%! a% e"#$8 s#a4e& a 5oi! i%$o 1hi4h he is falli%/&
1hi4h !e5elo#s i%$o $he .rea>!o1% a$ 0ree% ?ale. ,he fear is also li%>e!
1i$h $he re4urri%/ i"a/e of $he .o8 s$a%!i%/ ou$si!e a lo%el8 4ou%$r8 hu$
a$ e5e%i%/ 1hi4h he ha! see% 8ears earlier. -% s#i$e of $his feeli%/ of
e"#$i%ess& ho1e5er& $he #erio! a$ ,he +hase is also a $i"e of a4Auiri%/
#ossessio%s a%! lea5i%/ "ar>s of ha.i$a$io%.
H
NO,ES AND 0'OSSARY
/eosene" oil use! for .ur%i%/ i% la"#s
Ma-aa;a- o* Baa$/poe" a ri4h -%!ia% #ri%4e
Wo/&en8s Co&pensation A$t" a la1 .8 1hi4h 1or>"e% 1oul! .e
#ai! e2$ra "o%e8 for !a%/erous 1or>
Bonne Espean$e" (,rench) hi/h ho#es
t-e $allin, na&e" %a"e .8 1hi4h she 1oul! %or"all8 .e a!!resse!
Hin#us ... .oul#n8t /eep pi,s" #i/s are 4o%si!ere! u%4lea% .8 Hi%!us
teles$ope#" 4o"#resse!& "a!e s"aller
C(#a2" a !ri%> "a!e fro" a##les
poui " a s$ur!8 4ree#er 1i$h a $hi4> $raili%/ s$e"& of$e%
use! as a #o$ s4ourer

3 K Su""aries
Ale2an#e" #ossi.l8 Ale2a%!er $he 0rea$ (3)@L33 )& 1ho
B+
a4hie5e! $he e2#a%sio% of 0ree> 4i5ilisa$io% $o $he
eas$
Cani1al" a%%ual 4ele.ra$io% 1i$h !a%4e a%! "usi4
i$ono$las&" a$$a4> o% es$a.lishe! o#i%io%s
ieli,iosit(" +hris$"as is a +hris$ia% fes$i5al a%! is %o$ $herefore
usuall8 4ele.ra$e! .8 Hi%!us
cheelum" #i#e
a #ose o* li$/s" a .ea$i%/
*e0i*u,es" "e!i4i%es $o re!u4e fe5er
C-apte +" :een Vale
Mr Bis1as "o5es i%$o a s"all roo" i% $he .arra4>s i% $he !a"# a%!
sha!o1e! 5ale. Bei%/ lar/el8 i/%ora%$ of su/ar 4a%e a%! es$a$e 1or>& he
is s4or%e! .8 $he la.ourers 1ho fear o%l8 Se$h. He 1ishes $o "o5e i%$o
his o1% house& .u$ Se$hGs #ro"ises $o .uil! hi" o%e are %e5er 4arrie!
ou$. His frus$ra$io% a$ $he sor!i! surrou%!i%/s a%! fear of $he 1or>ers are
e2#resse! a$ firs$ i% a.use of $he ,ulsis $o Sha"a& 1ho a/ai% re$rea$s $o
Ha%u"a% House& a%! $he% i% soli$ar8 #erio!s i% his roo". Shor$l8 af$er
+hris$"as he 5isi$s his 4hil!re%& $a>i%/ a lar/e !ollGs house $o Sa5i& 1hi4h
is su.seAue%$l8 !es$ro8e! .8 Sha"a .e4ause of $he !isru#$io% a%! Deal;
ous8 i$ arouses.
He $a>es Sa5i $o li5e 1i$h hi" for a 1ee> $o F4lai"G herE his 1ife
re$ur%s .riefl8 .u$ .e4o"es #re/%a%$ a/ai%& a%! he is lef$ esse%$iall8
alo%e. -% a% a$$e"#$ F$o arres$ his !es4e%$ i%$o $he 5oi!G Mr Bis1as
e"#lo8s a% i%4o"#e$e%$ 4ar#e%$er $o .uil! a house& !es#i$e ha5i%/ li$$le
"o%e8 $o fi%a%4e i$. He .e4o"es i%4reasi%/l8 !is$ur.e! a%! res$less a%!
fi%!s $he o.De4$s i% his roo" $hrea$e%i%/& as 1ell as $he #eo#le he e%4ou%;
$ers. Duri%/ a 5isi$ .8 his fa"il8 he a/ai% hi$s Sha"a& 1ho is #re/%a%$&
sa8i%/ $ha$ she a%! $he ,ulsis are $r8i%/ $o >ill hi". She lea5es& .u$ his
so%& A%a%!& as>s $o s$a8. ,he8 "o5e $o $he o%e fi%ishe! roo" of $he
house& 1here $he >illi%/ of Mr Bis1asGs !o/ is follo1e! .8 a fier4e s$or"
a%! $he 4li"a2 of Mr Bis1asGs fears $ha$ F$he8G are 4o"i%/ $o !es$ro8
hi". ,he house i$self is s$ru4> .8 li/h$%i%/.
H
NO,ES AND 0'OSSARY
Not-u&0elan#" a 4ou%$8 i% %or$h;eas$ E%/la%!
e&poiu&" a lar/e sho#
la2l(" %o$ s$ri4$l8 or$ho!o2
felo-de-se" self;i%fli4$e! "ur!er
*o0" #o4>e$ for hol!i%/ a 1a$4h
0o.e" sha!8 re$rea$

Su""aries K 7
pun$-" a #au%4h& s$o"a4h .ul/e
Sanato,en" a 5i$a"i% $o%i4 !ri%>
eup-e&is&" a 1a8 of e2#ressi%/ so"e$hi%/ offe%si5e i% a% i%!i;
re4$ a%! sof$e%e! "a%%er
puss4puss" "ali4ious /ossi#
,al1ani7e" iro% 4oa$e! 1i$h Mi%4
#o$/" re!u4e
Ta7an" $he hero of a series of #o#ular s$ories .8 E!/ar Ri4e
Burrou/hs (7:=)L7*)3)E ,arMa% is a #ar$i4ularl8
s$ro%/ a%! a/ile "a%& lea!i%/ a #ri"i$i5e life i% $he
Du%/le& a%! $he su.De4$ of "a%8 fa%$as$i4 a!5e%$ures
The unchbac! of Notre Dame " #o#ular %o5el (7:37) .8 $he 9re%4h
1ri$er ?i4$or Hu/o (7:3L:)). ,he "ai% 4hara4$ers
are Es"eral!a a%! Juasi"o!o& $he hu%4h.a4>
t-e .oo# .as $ue#" $he 1oo! ha! .ee% $rea$e! or seaso%e! $o #re5e%$
shri%>i%/
Coppeni$/us an# :alil(o" +o#er%i4us (7<=3L7)<3) 1as a Polish
as$ro%o"er 1ho a!5a%4e! $he $heor8 $ha$ $he ear$h
a%! o$her #la%e$s re5ol5e arou%! $he su%E 0alileo
(7)@<L7@<) 1as $he .rillia%$ -$alia% s4ie%$is$ a%!
as$ro%o"er 1ho su##or$e! $he +o#er%i4a% $heor8
a%! 4lai"e! $ha$ $he ear$h 1as rou%!
Rama Rama Sita Rama " a% i%4a%$a$io% i%s#ire! .8 $he e#i4 Hi%!u #oe"
$he -amayana E Si$a 1as $he .ri!e of Ra"a
C-apte <" A 3epatue
Mr Bis1as a%! A%a%! are $a>e% .a4> $o Ha%u"a% House. Mr Bis1as
/ra!uall8 re4o5ers a%! is a.le $o #ie4e $o/e$her $he #as$ 1i$h i$s "e"o;
ries of horror. He is relie5e! $o hear $ha$ $he house has .ee% .ur%$ !o1%
4o"#le$el8 .8 $he la.ourers& $hus freei%/ hi" fro" $he #as$ "e"ories.
He re5ie1s his si$ua$io%& refle4$i%/ $ha$ his #osi$io% is s$ill $ha$ of so"e;
o%e 1i$hou$ a 5o4a$io% or relia.le "ea%s of su##or$i%/ his fa"il8 a%!
$ha$ he 1oul! %o$ .e "isse!. He !e$er"i%es $o es$a.lish his i%!e#e%!e%4e
a%! feels $ha$ FrealG life 1i$h i$s Fes#e4ial s1ee$%essG is s$ill 1ai$i%/ for
hi" $o !is4o5er i$.
H
NO,ES AND 0'OSSARY
O1altine" $he .ra%!;%a"e of a "al$;.ase! !ri%>& "a!e 1i$h
ho$ "il>& a%! 1hi4h is su##ose! $o i%!u4e slee#
t-au&atu,e" 1or>er of "ira4les
aloe" a #la%$ use! as a !ru/
chamar 4$aste4t(pe" a lo1;.or% #erso%

K Su""aries
PAR,
C-apte !" =A&a7in, S$enes8
Mr Bis1as $a>es a .us $o Por$ of S#ai% 1here he s$a8s for a $i"e 1i$h
his sis$er a%! her hus.a%!. He feels s$i"ula$e! a%! e24i$e! .8 $he 4i$8&
.u$ 1earies of his free!o"& a%! $he s#as"s of fear re$ur%. Af$er a%
a.or$i5e 5isi$ $o a "e!i4al s#e4ialis$ he re4o/%ises $ha$ he has $o a44e#$
$he #as$ as a 5i$al #ar$ of hi"self& a%! $his res$ores $he F1hole%essG of
his "i%!. He also re4o/%ises $ha$ $he s#as"s of fear o% seei%/ #eo#le
1ere 4ause! .8 re/re$& e%58& a%! !es#air& ra$her $ha% fear. He a4$s !e4i;
si5el8 a%! /ai%s a Do. 1ri$i%/ o% $he Sentinel %e1s#a#er u%!er Mr
Bur%e$$ 1here his $ale%$ for fa%$as8 a%! fa4e$ious& hu"orous 1ri$i%/
/ai%s e2#ressio%. As a shi##i%/ re#or$er he feels i% 4o%$a4$ 1i$h !iffer;
e%$ #ar$s of $he 1orl!. He is reu%i$e! 1i$h his fa"il8 a%! sees his four$h
4hil!& a%! as $he 4li"a2 of his 4urre%$ /oo! lu4>& is /i5e% roo"s i% Mrs
,ulsiGs house i% Por$ of S#ai%. His frie%!shi# 1i$h O1a! !e5elo#s a%!
he es$a.lishes a 4loser a%! "ore !is4i#li%e! rela$io%shi# 1i$h his 4hil;
!re%& i%5ol5i%/ hi"self also i% $heir e!u4a$io%. He $a>es a shor$;li5e!
1ri$i%/ 4ourse fro" 'o%!o% o% Dour%alis"& a%! i%5e%$s s$ories 1i$h a
fa%$as8 heroi%e e%$i$le! FEs4a#eG. He #la%$s rose;.ushes i% $he /ar!e%
a%! .e/i%s $o $hi%> of $he house as his o1%. ,his or!er is !is$ur.e! .8
%e1s of O1a! .ei%/ se%$ $o E%/la%! $o s$u!8 "e!i4i%e& a%! A%a%!Gs
%ear;!ro1%i%/ a$ $he !o4>s.
H ,he firs$& "a4a.re s$ories Mr Bis1as 1ri$es for $he
+OMMEN,ARY
Sentinel refle4$ his /uil$ a%! a%2ie$8 a.ou$ lea5i%/ his fa"il8& a%! also his
feeli%/s of i%se4uri$8 a%! a%2ie$8 are /i5e% e2#ressio% i% $he re#or$ of $he
S4arle$ Pi"#er%el (his assu"e! %a"e as he $ours $he isla%!) s#e%!i%/ $he
%i/h$ i% a $ree.
H
NO,ES AND 0'OSSARY
=A&a7in, S$enes8" $his #hrase 4o"es fro" o%e of $he %e1s#a#ers i%
$he .arra4>s roo" a$ 0ree% ?ale
0ain *a," "e%$al e2haus$io%
eli#e#" o"i$$i%/ s8lla.les i% 1or!s
Tom Sa"yer and uc!leberry #inn " #o#ular a!5e%$ure %o5els .8 $he
A"eri4a% au$hor Mar> ,1ai% (#e% %a"e of Sa"uel
+le"e%s& 7:3)L7*73)
in e$tremis " a$ $he #oi%$ of !ea$h
Bonn( Ba0( Co&petition" a 4o%$es$ $o fi%! $he "os$ a$$ra4$i5e .a.8
p-oto,ap-s o* A#ol* Hitle" $his !a$es $his #erio! i% $he %o5el as $he
7*33s 1i$h $he .e/i%%i%/s of Hi$lerGs rise $o #o1er
i% NaMi 0er"a%8

Su""aries K 3
S$alet Pi&penel" $a>e% fro" $he ro"a%$i4 %o5el of $ha$ $i$le (7*3))&
.8 Baro%ess Or4M8 (7:@)L7*<=)& i% 1hi4h $he
lea!er of $he 'ea/ue of $he S4arle$ Pi"#er%el& a
.a%! of 8ou%/ E%/lish"e% #le!/e! $o res4ue $he
i%%o4e%$ 5i4$i"s of $he Rei/% of ,error i% Paris
af$er $he 9re%4h Re5olu$io%& ou$1i$s his o##o%e%$s
.8 "ea%s of i%/e%ious !is/uises
$oo/" a 4ri"i%al
aspiations" so4ial a".i$io%s
Ma$aula(" ,ho"as Ba.i%/$o% Ma4aula8 (7:33L)*)& E%/lish
s$a$es"a%& #oe$ a%! his$oria%
e1i$tion noti$e" or!er $o lea5e a #ro#er$8
:u( Fa./es Ni,-t" a%%ual fes$i5al 4ele.ra$i%/ $he !is4o5er8 of $he
F0u%#o1!er Plo$G i% E%/la%! i% 7@3) L a Ro"a%
+a$holi4 4o%s#ira48 $o "ur!er Ki%/ Ja"es - a%!
"e".ers of #arlia"e%$E 0u8 9a1>es& o%e of $he
4o%s#ira$ors& 1as arres$e! .efore $he e2#losio%
4oul! .e !e$o%a$e! a%! $he #lo$ 1as foile!
E%enin& Standard ''' (ountry )ife " Bri$ish !ail8 %e1s#a#ers a%! "a/a;
Mi%es of $he #erio!
Wa.i$/ 3eepin," a #o#ular E%/lish %o5elis$ (7:==L7*)3)
Pin$e o* Wales" $i$le /i5e% $o $he el!es$ so% of $he Ki%/& or Juee%&
of E%/la%!
H.E." His E24elle%48 (use! iro%i4all8 here $o refer $o F$he
.ossG)
S-ile( Te&ple" a Holl81oo! fil" a4$ress& es#e4iall8 fa"ous for $he
#ar$s she #la8e! as a 4hil!
)ife" a% illus$ra$e! A"eri4a% "a/aMi%e
Hal>1(8s istory of the En&lish People " HalQ58 (7:=3L7*3=) 1as a
9re%4h his$oria%
C-apte %" T-e Ne. R>,i&e
,he house feels e"#$8& as if a1ai$i%/ 4ha%/e. Disaffe4$io%s s#rea! a$
Ha%u"a% House as Mrs ,ulsi 4eases $o 4o%$rol i$ effe4$i5el8& a%! i%$er;
%al Auarrels !e5elo#. ,he Sentinel Gs $o%e of fri5oli$8 .e4o"es i%a##ro;
#ria$e 1i$h $he a##roa4h of 1ar a%! Mr Bur%e$$ is sa4>e!. ,he %e1 e!i;
$orial #oli48 !e"a%!s a s$ri4$ a!here%4e $o fa4$& 1hi4h Mr Bis1as fi%!s
s$erile a%! u%re1ar!i%/. He fears for his Do. also& se%si%/ $ha$ his 1or>
is "e!io4re. Pri4es rise 1i$h $he i"#a4$ of $he 1ar a%! $he Auali$8 of
foo! !e4li%es. ,he Auarrels 1i$h Sha"a& a%! his se%se of .ei%/

< K Su""aries
$ra##e!& i%$e%sif8& a%! $he se%se of e2#e4$a$io% he ha! of $he 4i$8 a%! his
life $here !isa##ears. A%a%!Gs life of s$u!8 i% $he e2hi.i$io% 4lass is also
$a2i%/. ,he !es$ru4$io% of $he rose /ar!e% .8 Se$h $o #ro5i!e s#a4e for
his lorries #ro5o>es a 5iole%$ s4e%e i% 1hi4h Mr Bis1as !a"a/es so"e
of $he fur%i$ure i% $he house.
H
NO,ES AND 0'OSSARY
Spain" a refere%4e $o $he S#a%ish +i5il (ar (7*3@L*) i%
1hi4h 0e%eral 9ra%4o a%! $he Ri/h$ (i%/ fou/h$
a/ai%s$ $he Re#u.li4a%s
MBE9 OBE9 CBE" Me".er& Or!er& a%! +o""a%!er of $he Bri$ish
E"#ireE !e4ora$io%s a1ar!e! .8 $he Ki%/ or Juee%
of E%/la%!
a $apitalist a," a %e1s#a#er 1hi4h has #rofi$ as i$s 4hief ai"
sell ... li/e -ot $a/es" sell Aui4>l8 a%! su44essfull8
3i$/ens" +harles Di4>e%s (7:7L=3)& fa"ous E%/lish %o5el;
is$& %o$e! i% #ar$i4ular for his 4o"#assio%a$e #or;
$ra8als of $he 4o%!i$io%s of $he #oor
t-e sa$/" losi%/ his Do.
5a&08s Tales from Sha!espeare " +harles 'a". (7==)L7:3<)& a%
E%/lish essa8is$& a!a#$e! Sha>es#eareGs #la8s for
4hil!re%
5a/s-&i" Hi%!u /o!!ess of .eau$8& 1eal$h a%! #leasure 1ho
a##ears i% $he -amayana
ra!shas" e5il s#iri$s of Hi%!u le/e%! 1ho hau%$ 4e"e$eries
a%! !e5our hu"a% .ei%/s
;a$/asses" fools
C-apte '" T-e S-ot-ills A#1entue
,he ,ulsis lea5e Ar1a4as for a %e1 es$a$e i% $he "ou%$ai%s %or$h;eas$
of Por$ of S#ai%. Ha%u"a% House is full of $al> of $he /lories of $he
es$a$e 1i$h i$s lush la%!s4a#e a%! Sha"a 1a%$s $o .e #ar$ of $he a!5e%;
$ure. Mr Bis1as 4o%se%$s $o "o5e $here af$er he 5isi$s i$ 1i$h Mrs ,ulsi
a%! is a$$ra4$e! .8 $he i!ea of .uil!i%/ his o1% house $here a%! li5i%/
4hea#l8. Shor$hills re#rese%$s for hi" a% a!5e%$ure& a% i%$erlu!e& a%! he
re"ai%s !e$a4he! fro" i$s !e4li%i%/ for$u%es& si%4e his Do. /i5es hi"
i%!e#e%!e%4e a%! he is a.le $o #lu%!er $he la%! a%! e2#loi$ $he #hilos;
o#h8 of Fe5er8 "a% for hi"selfG. 9or $he 4hil!re% i$ "ea%s a %i/h$"are
e2is$e%4e 1i$h $he #ro.le"s of $ra5el $o s4hool& a%! shor$a/es of foo!.
,he !ea$h of Hari is follo1e! .8 $ha$ of Pa!"a& a%! i$ see"s $ha$ $ha$
fa"il8 has los$ i$s 4ohesi5e #o1er of 5ir$ue. Mr Bis1as !e4i!es $o .uil!
his o1% house a%! 1i$h!ra1& !es#i$e $he isola$io% of $he si$e. He i%5i$es

Su""aries K )
his "o$her for a 5isi$ a%! she hel#s $o 4lear $he /rou%! for $he firi%/.
-$ is $his e5e%$ 1hi4h lea!s $o $he !es$ru4$io% of Mr Bis1asGs $hir!
house .8 fire. His ri5alr8 1i$h a%o$her .ro$her;i%;la1& a% a".i$ious
e2$re#re%eur& .e/i%s a$ Shor$hills. Mr Bis1as 4alls hi" F(. +. ,u$$leG&
$his .ei%/ $he %a"e of $he au$hor of his lar/e 4olle4$io% of .oo>s&
la.elle! .8 Mr Bis1as as F$rashG. ,heir roo"s are o##osi$e $o ea4h
o$her.
H
NO,ES AND 0'OSSARY
=T-e E&peo8s Ne. Clot-es8" $he 1ell;>%o1% 4hil!re%Gs s$or8 .8
Ha%s +hris$ia% A%!erso% (7:3)L=)) a.ou$ a%
e"#eror 1ho& $ri4>e! .8 $he fla$$er8 of $1o ro/ues
#re$e%!i%/ $o .e $ailors& a##eare! %a>e! i% #u.li4 i%
$he .elief $ha$ he 1ore a sui$ of 4lo$h so fi%e $ha$
o%l8 $he 1ises$ 4oul! see i$
Oli1e T.ist" 4e%$ral 4hara4$er i% $he %o5el of $ha$ %a"e (7:3=L:)
.8 Di4>e%s& !eali%/ 1i$h $he #oor i% 1or>houses
a%! 'o%!o% 4ri"i%als
Ro&ain Rollan#" 9re%4h essa8is$ a%! %o5elis$ (7:@@L7*<<) 1ho
.elie5e! i% fai$h i% hu"a%i$8 .ase! o% a #a%$heis$i4
reli/io%
Boots" fa"ous 4hai% of 4he"is$ sho#s 1hi4h use! $o ha5e
a le%!i%/ li.rar8 a%! sell .oo>s
W. C. Tuttle" (il.ur +ole"a% ,u$$le ( b+7::3)& au$hor of o5er
fif$8 #o#ular %o5els a.ou$ $he A"eri4a% F(il!
(es$G& $he firs$ of 1hi4h 1as #u.lishe! i% 7*3
#i$/( seat" a% o#e% sea$ .ehi%! $he .o!8 of $he "o$or;4ar
suttee" a Hi%!u 4us$o" .8 1hi4h $he 1i!o1 1as .ur%$ o%
$he fu%eral #8re 1i$h her !ea! hus.a%!
C-apte )" A&on, t-e Rea#es an# 5eanes
,ra%s#or$ .e4o"es i"#ossi.le a%! Mr Bis1as "o5es .a4> $o $1o
roo"s i% Mrs ,ulsiGs house i% Por$ of S#ai%& alo%/ 1i$h $he ,u$$les&
0o5i%! a%! +hi%$a& a%! $he 1i!o1& Bas!ai. A 4o"i4 ri5alr8 e%sues o5er
#ossessio%s& a%! $he 4ro1!s a%! %oise& i%4rease! .8 Bas!aiGs s4hool;
4hil!re% .oar!ers fro" Shor$hills& !ri5e Mr Bis1as $o 1al> i% $he
s$ree$s a%! $o see his offi4e as a ha5e%. He feels he is e24lu!e! fro" $he
/ro1i%/ #ros#eri$8 i% $he isla%! a%! fears for A%a%!Gs fu$ure Do.
#ros#e4$s as i%5ol5i%/ o%l8 Fi%$ri/ue& hu"ilia$io% a%! !e#e%!e%4eG. He
is a##oi%$e! i%5es$i/a$or for $he Deser5i%/ Des$i$u$es 9u%!& a%! is
e2#ose! 4o%s$a%$l8 $o failure a%! "iser8& as 1ell as reAues$s for hel#
fro" $he 1i!o1s a%! Bha%!a$. He 4o%$i%ues $o 5isi$ ADo!ha a%!

@ K Su""aries
.e4o"es frie%!l8 1i$h Ja/!a$& Bha%!a$Gs so%E .u$ $here is "u4h hos$ili;
$8 .e$1ee% ADo!ha a%! his $1o %e#he1s. ,he i%$er%al ri5alries i% $he
house #reo44u#8 hi"& i%4lu!i%/ $ha$ .e$1ee% A%a%! a%! ?i!ia!har& 1ho
are .o$h i% $he e2hi.i$io% 4lass. A%a%!Gs s4hooli%/ a%! #erso%ali$8 are
!es4ri.e! full8 1i$h $he .uil!;u# $o $he 5i$al e2a"i%a$io%& 1hi4h he #ass;
es 1i$h /rea$ su44ess. Mr Bis1asGs "o$her !ies& a%! he 4o""e"ora$es
her i% a% e".arrassi%/l8 e"o$io%al #rose #oe" 1hi4h he 1ri$es for $he
li$erar8 /rou# he has Doi%e!. He also 1ri$es a lo%/ le$$er $o $he !o4$or 1ho
!ela8e! i% si/%i%/ her !ea$h 4er$ifi4a$e& a%! is re1ar!e! .8 his le$$er
.ei%/ se%$ .a4> a%! so a4>%o1le!/e!.
H Mr Bis1as !es$ro8s his fa%$as8 FEs4a#eG s$ories 1i$h $heir
+OMMEN,ARY
.arre% heroi%es 1he% 4o%fro%$e! 1i$h $he sor!e! reali$es of Bha%!a$Gs
lo!/i%/ 1here he 5ilifies his +hi%ese "is$ress as a% Fa1>1ar! .arre%
4o1G. ,his 4a% .e see% as #ar$ of Mr Bis1asGs a44e#$a%4e of $he life
arou%! hi" a%! his #as$& $hou/h i$ 4oul! .e see% also as a /es$ure of
!efea$ a%! #essi"is".
H
NO,ES AND 0'OSSARY
Ella W-eele Wil$o2" a% A"eri4a% #oe$ a%! Dour%alis$ (7:)3L7*7*)&
5er8 #o#ular i% her !a8
E#.a# Capente" a% E%/lish #oe$ a%! 1ri$er (7:<<L7**) 1i$h
s$ro%/l8 so4ialis$ 5ie1s
5o$a" 9e!eri4o 0ar4ia 'or4a (7:*:L7*3@)& S#a%ish #oe$
a%! #la81ri/h$& assassi%a$e! a$ $he .e/i%%i%/ of $he
S#a%ish +i5il (ar
Eliot" ,. S. Elio$ (7:::L7*@))& a "aDor E%/lish #oe$
Au#en" (. H. Au!e% (7*3=L=3)& a% E%/lish #oe$ li%>e!
#ar$i4ularl8 1i$h $he 7*33s
pomme cith*re " (,rench) Fa##le of +8$heraG. +8$hera is a% isla%!
off $he 4oas$ of $he Pelo#o%%ese& !e!i4a$e! $o $he
0ree> /o!!ess of lo5e& A#hro!i$e. ,he $er" omme
cith4re& or lo5e a##le& 4a% refer $o a $o"a$o
bois-canot " (,rench) a har! 1oo! use! for .oa$;.uil!i%/ ( bois
"ea%s 1oo!E canot "ea%s a s"all& o#e% .oa$)
-o&ilies" ser"o%s or "oral lesso%s
+esse +ames an# The Return of #ran! +ames " A"eri4a% (es$er% fil"s
.ase! o% fa"ous .a%!i$s of $he %i%e$ee%$h 4e%$ur8
Hen( Fon#a9 Bian 3onle1(9 T(one Po.e" fa"ous fil" s$ars i%
Holl81oo! !uri%/ $he 7*<3s a%! 7*)3s
,-ee" oil "a!e fro" .u$$er
Measure for Measure " a #la8 (7@3<) .8 Sha>es#eare (7)@<L7@7@) 1hi4h
4e%$res u#o% $he Aues$io% of $he %a$ure of Dus$i4e

Su""aries K =
t-e ,ita" a% a..re5ia$io% for $he Bhagavadgita & #ar$ of a
fa"ous e#i4 #oe" of a%4ie%$ -%!ia 4alle! $he
$ahabharata
P. :. Wo#e-ouse" E%/lish 1ri$er (7::7L7*=)) of 4o"i4 %o5els a.ou$
u##er 4lass 4hara4$ers
The Talisman" a his$ori4al %o5el (7:)) .8 Sir (al$er S4o$$
(7==7L7:3)
C-apte +" T-e Voi#
Mr Bis1as i%5ol5es hi"self 4losel8 i% A%a%!Gs 1or> a$ $he 4olle/e&
a%! loo>s $o his so% i%4reasi%/l8 as e".o!8i%/ his ho#es for $he
fu$ure. He e5e% loses his 5isio% of #ossessi%/ his o1% house a/ai% a%!
feels "u4h !es#air. A %e1 Do. i% a /o5er%"e%$ so4ial 1elfare !e#ar$;
"e%$& ho1e5er& /i5es hi" a fresh i%$eres$ a%! se%se of se4uri$8. He
ear%s e2$ra "o%e8 a%! has $he lu2ur8 of a holi!a8 i% Nor$h ,ri%i!a!&
as 1ell as %e1 4lo$hes a%! a %e1 4ar 1hi4h he e%Do8s sho1i%/ off. He
feels his lu4> is $oo /oo! $o las$ as $he !e#ar$"e%$ 4o"es i%4reasi%/l8
u%!er a$$a4>. ,he ,u$$les lea5e for $heir o1% house a%! $he aili%/ Mrs
,ulsi re$ur%s a%! e2er$s her $8ra%%ies u%$il re5i5e! .8 #re#ara$io%s for
$he re$ur% of O1a!. Mr Bis1as has $o "o5e $e"#oraril8 $o a $e%e"e%$&
a%! re;5isi$s Ha%u"a% House. ,he fa"il8 $he% re$ur% $o o%e roo" i%
Mrs ,ulsiGs house.
H
NO,ES AND 0'OSSARY
(o,i" a !e5o$ee of 8o/a& a Hi%!u s8s$e" of "e!i$a$io%
of$e% i%5ol5i%/ $he #ra4$i4e of #h8si4al e2er4ises
$opa in#ust(" 4o#ra is $he !rie! >er%els of 4o4o%u$s& 1hi4h 8iel!
oil
Po Bono Pu0li$o" (Latin) for $he #u.li4 /oo!
Caa&0a? ... ta#e" (Sanish) Hea5e%s a.o5eR -$Gs $hree oG4lo4> alrea!8.
(here is 8our fa$herS 'e%a& /o a%! 4all hi". +o"e
o%& 4o"e o%R (eGre alrea!8 la$e
Sin#-is" #eo#le fro" $he #ro5i%4e of Si%! i% -%!ia
C-apte <" T-e Re1olution
O1a! re$ur%s $o a full house& Fli>e a% ol! Ha%u"a% House fes$i5alG. He
is re4o/%ise! as $he %e1 hea! of $he fa"il8. His e2#loi$s are re4ou%$e!
e%!lessl8& $o/e$her 1i$h his /lorifi4a$io% of Russia a%! a%$i4i#a$io% of
$he so4ialis$ re5olu$io% i% ,ri%i!a!. A s$ro%/ a%$a/o%is" !e5elo#s& ho1;
e5er& .e$1ee% A%a%! a%! O1a! af$er a Auarrel& a%! Mr Bis1as F/i5es
%o$i4eG af$er a .rea4h 1i$h Mrs ,ulsi. His "ee$i%/ 1i$h $he soli4i$orGs

: K Su""aries
4ler> i% a 4afQ lea!s $o a 5isi$ $o $he house i% Si>>i" S$ree$ 1hi4h a$ firs$
see"s i%a44essi.le& $hou/h "os$ !esira.le. ,he sale of $he house a$
Shor$hills "a>es $he #ri4e of fi5e $housa%! !ollars less #rohi.i$i5e a%!
he /oes ahea! 1i$h $he #ur4hase& i% s#i$e of Sha"aGs !isa##ro5al& af$er
.orro1i%/ four $housa%! !ollars fro" ADo!ha. O1a! s#e%!s "ore $i"e
a1a8 fro" ho"e a$ his .ro$her She>harGs house L She>har has "arrie!
a Pres.8$eria%& Doro$h8& 1ho u#se$s $he ,ulsis L a%! 1i$h "e!i4al 4ol;
lea/ues. ,al> of $he re5olu$io% %o1 4eases.
H
NO,ES AND 0'OSSARY
Ro0et Ta(lo" Holl81oo! fil" a4$or (7*77L@*)
Russell" Ber$ra%! Russell (7:=L7*=3)& !is$i%/uishe! "o!;
er% E%/lish #hiloso#her
@oa#" +8ril Joa! (7:*7L7*):)& "o!er% #hiloso#her a%!
.roa!4as$er
R-a#a/is-nan" Sar5e#alli Ra!ha>rish%a% (7:::L7*=))& -%!ia%
#hiloso#her& s4holar a%! s$a$es"a%
5as/i" Harol! 'as>i (7:*3L7*)3)& E%/lish #oli$i4al s4ie%$is$
Menon" Krish%a Me%o% (7:*=L7*=<)& a% -%!ia% %a$io%alis$
a%! 4ha"#io% of -%!iaGs a%$i;4olo%ialis$ "o5e"e%$
sole$is&s" !e5ia$io%s fro" 4orre4$ /ra""er or i!io"
Moloto1" ?8a4hesla5 Molo$o5 ( b+7:*3) o%e of S$ali%Gs 4los;
es$ a!5isers !uri%/ $he #erio! of $he #ur/es i% $he
7*33s i% $he USSRE he 1as +o""issio%er for
9orei/% Affairs 7*3*L<* a%! 7*)3L@
t-e Re# A&(" $he So5ie$ Ar"8 1hi4h 4a#$ure! Berli% i% 7*<)
Winston C-u$-ill8s Fulton spee$-" (i%s$o% +hur4hill (7:=<L7*@))
1as $he Bri$ish +o%ser5a$i5e Pri"e Mi%is$er
(7*<3L) a%! 7*)7L)) es#e4iall8 asso4ia$e! 1i$h
Bri$ai%Gs 5i4$or8 i% $he Se4o%! (orl! (ar
(7*3*L<)). ,he 9ul$o% S#ee4h he "a!e i% 7*<@ is
of$e% see% as $he o#e% !e4lara$io% of $he +ol! (arE
he 4oi%e! $he #hrase F$he -ro% +ur$ai%G
Maui$e T-oe7" 9re%4h #oli$i4ia% (7*33L@<)& lea!er of $he 9re%4h
+o""u%is$ #ar$8 a$ $his #erio!
Ro/osso1s/(" Ko%s$a%$i% Ko%s$a%$i%o5i4h Ro>osso5s>8 (7:*@L
7*@:)& a Marshal of $he So5ie$ U%io%. Duri%/ $he
Se4o%! (orl! (ar he 4o""a%!e! $he for4es $ha$
!efe%!e! S$ali%/ra! a%! Mos4o1 a%! le! $he So5ie$
Ar"ies $hrou/h Pola%!. Ser5e! as Mi%is$er of
Defe%4e i% Pola%! (7*<*L)@) a%! De#u$8 Mi%is$er
of Defe%4e i% So5ie$ U%io% (7*)@L:)

Su""aries K *
Co$a4$ola4Ko.s/(" a fi4$i$ious %a"e& or #u% o% $he a.o5e refere%4e& $o
sho1 ho1 u/l8 Mr Bis1as $hi%>s Russia% %a"es
are
@osep- 3u,as-1ili" $he real %a"e of S$ali% (7:=*L7*)3). ,he %a"e
FS$ali%G& 1hi4h "ea%s F"a% of s$eelG& 1as his re5o;
lu$io%ar8 %a"e
:o,ol" Ni>olai ?asil8e5i4h 0o/ol (7:3*L))& Russia%
!ra"a$is$ a%! %o5elis$. His %o5els are 4o%si!ere! $o
for" $he fou%!a$io%s of $he %i%e$ee%$h;4e%$ur8 $ra;
!i$io% of Russia% realis"
sto( 0( a Fen$- .ite" a refere%4e $o $he shor$ s$or8 F,he Ne4>la4eG
.8 0u8 !e Mau#assa%$ (7:)3L*3)
Pi$asso9 C-a,all9 Rouault9 Ba6ue9 Matisse" fa"ous Euro#ea% #ai%$ers
of $he $1e%$ie$h 4e%$ur8
The Moon and Si$pence " fil" .ase! o% a %o5el .8 (illia" So"erse$
Mau/ha" (7:=<L7*@)) 1hi4h !eal$ 1i$h $he life of
$he #os$;i"#ressio%is$ #ai%$er Paul 0au/ui%
Punch- .llustrated )ondon Ne"s " E%/lish "a/aMi%es !eali%/ 1i$h 4ur;
re%$ e5e%$s
Monin, :lo(" a 4li".i%/ #la%$
C-apte A" T-e House
,he !efi4ie%4ies of $he %e1 house are soo% re5eale!& as 1ell as $he fi%a%;
4ial 4o""i$"e%$s i$ i%5ol5es& a%! Mr Bis1as a.uses $he 4ler> as a 4roo>
a%! Derr8;.uil!er& a !es4ri#$io% 1hi4h is 4o%fir"e! .8 his el!erl8 %ei/h;
.our. ,he ,u$$les 5isi$& ho1e5er& a%! are easil8 !e4ei5e! a%! i"#resse!
.8 $he house& a%! i$s i%4o%5e%ie%4es are ra#i!l8 for/o$$e%. ,he 8ar! is
e2#a%!e! a%! a /ar!e% #la%$e!.
H ,his 4ha#$er re#ea$s a%! e2#a%!s se5eral #oi%$s 1hi4h
+OMMEN,ARY
1ere "a!e i% $he #rolo/ue& .u$ here $he e"#hasis is o% $he i"#or$a%4e of
$he house $o $he 4hil!re%& es#e4iall8 A%a%!& as #ro5i!i%/ a s$a.le fo4us
for $heir li5es a%! a fi2e! #oi%$ arou%! 1hi4h $heir "e"ories of 4hil!;
hoo! 4a% .e or/a%ise!.
H
NO,ES AND 0'OSSARY
;e(40uil#e" a .uil!er 1ho ere4$s houses Aui4>l8 a%! i% a
"a>eshif$ "a%%er
Epilo,ue
O1a! "arries Doro$h8Gs Pres.8$eria% 4ousi% a%! es$a.lishes a #ri5a$e
#ra4$i4e i% Sa% 9er%a%!o. ,he +o""u%i$8 (elfare De#ar$"e%$ is

33 K Su""aries
a.olishe! 1i$h $he %e1 ur/e $o self;i"#ro5e"e%$ .rou/h$ a.ou$ .8 $he
1ar a%! $he A"eri4a% i%flue%4e. Mr Bis1as re$ur%s $o $he Sentinel & .u$
fi%!s $he 1or> $e!ious a%! feels i%4reasi%/l8 .ur!e%e! .8 his !e.$s.
Sa5i a%! A%a%! /o a.roa! o% s4holarshi#s& a%! Mr Bis1as re4ei5es
u%ha##8 a%! 1orr8i%/ le$$ers fro" his so% 1hi4h he res#o%!s $o 1i$h
lo%/ hu"orous le$$ers of his o1%. His se%se of 1ai$i%/ for e5e%$s $o
ha##e% (i% $his 4ase $he re$ur% of his 4hil!re%) i%$e%sifies. He su!!e%;
l8 suffers a hear$ a$$a4> a%! s#e%!s a "o%$h i% hos#i$al& af$er 1hi4h he
is #u$ o% half;#a8 .8 $he #a#er. He /ro1s le$har/i4 a%! irri$a.le& a%! is
sa4>e! af$er s#e%!i%/ "ore $i"e i% hos#i$al. ,he re$ur% of Sa5i 4o";
#e%sa$es i% #ar$ for A%a%!Gs a.se%4e& a%! $hi%/s see" $o /ro1 .ri/h$.
,he $o%e of his las$ le$$er $o A%a%! is o%e of Do8 a%! $ha%>s/i5i%/. His
!ea$h is $he% re#or$e! fla$l8 i% $he #a#er& a%! Sha"aGs sis$ers 5isi$ for
$he 4re"a$io% 4ere"o%8 o% $he .a%>s of a "u!!8 s$rea"& follo1e! .8
$he re$ur% of Sha"a a%! $he 4hil!re% $o $he e"#$8 house.
H So"e #oi%$s a%! !e$ails /i5e% i% $he Prolo/ue are re#ea$;
+OMMEN,ARY
e! here a%! e2#a%!e!. ,he $e4h%iAue of re#or$i%/ Mr Bis1asGs !ea$h i%
a% i"#erso%al for"& as a% i$e" i% a %e1s#a#er& a!!s $o $he #a$hos of his
!ea$h a%! #re5e%$s a%8 %o$e of "elo!ra"a or se%$i"e%$ali$8. ,he ele/ia4
"oo! is also 4o%$i%ue! i% $he 4o%s$rai%$ a%! 4o%$rol of $he fi%al #ara;
/ra#h 1i$h i$s 4losi%/ i"a/e of $he e"#$8 house. ,his i"a/e also e"#ha;
sises $he si/%ifi4a%4e of $he house as a s8".ol i% $he %o5el.

Pat '
Co&&enta(
T-e a$-ie1e&ent o* t-e no1el
A #ouse for $r Bis%as is a ri4h %o5el 1hi4h #rese%$s a #i4$ure of life
i% ,ri%i!a! !uri%/ a #erio! of a.ou$ fif$8 8earsE $he !e5elo#"e%$ of $he
4hara4$ers a%! $he #lo$ i$self $a>e #la4e a/ai%s$ a 4ha%/i%/ so4ial .a4>;
/rou%!. ,he 4e%$re of $he %o5el is al1a8s $he 4hara4$er of Mr Bis1as&
a%! $he $he"es are 4losel8 li%>e! 1i$h hi". Al$hou/h he is a% or!i%ar8
#erso% 1i$h %o ou$s$a%!i%/ fea$ures& Nai#aul su44ee!s i% /i5i%/ hi" a
heroi4 s$a$us a%!& as rea!ers& 1e s8"#a$hise 1i$h his s$ru//les& his
failures a%! su44esses. He is i% "a%8 1a8s a% ar4he$8#al fi/ure i% $ha$
he e".o!ies a u%i5ersal $he"e L $he sear4h for i!e%$i$8 a%! for "ea%;
i%/ i% life& a%! i$ is $his sear4h 1hi4h is 4har$e! i% $he %o5el a%! #ro;
5i!es "u4h of i$s hu"our. (e also see i% $he %o5el $he rise a%! fall of
$he ,ulsi fa"il8& a%! $he 4ul$ural $ra%si$io%s 1hi4h $he !iffere%$ /e%er;
a$io%s ha5e $o u%!er/o. Mr Bis1as hi"self is a "a% 4au/h$ .e$1ee%
$1o 4ul$ures a%! u%a.le $o se$$le full8 i% ei$her. As a se4o%!;/e%era;
$io% -%!ia%& 1hose /ra%!fa$her 4rosse! $he F.la4> 1a$ersG fro" -%!ia&
he is #ar$ of $he -%!ia%sG a$$e"#$ $o re4rea$e $heir 1orl! i% $he #re;
!o"i%a%$l8 +reole so4ie$8 of ,ri%i!a!. Nai#aul sho1s $his a$$e"#$ as
!oo"e! $o failure. -% a% i%for"a$i5e essa8 o% ,ri%i!a! i% his $ra5el
.oo> &he $iddle Passage & he !es4ri.es 5i5i!l8 $he Hi%!u 1orl! of $he
,ulsis asH Fa% e%4losi%/ self;suffi4ie%$ 1orl! a.sor.e! 1i$h i$s Auarrels
a%! Dealousies& as !iffi4ul$ for $he ou$si!er $o #e%e$ra$e as for o%e of i$s
o1% "e".ers $o es4a#e. -$ #ro$e4$e! a%! i"#riso%e!& a s$a$i4 1orl!&
a1ai$i%/ !e4a8G.
A%8 s$u!8 of $he $he"es of $he %o5el is .es$ a##roa4he! $hrou/h a
4lose s$u!8 of $he 4hara4$er of Mr Bis1as& a%! $he $he"es 4a% .e !efi%e!
!uri%/ $his e2a"i%a$io%.
T-e $-aa$te o* M Bis.as
Mohu% Bis1as (1ho is referre! $o as Mr Bis1as e5e% 1he% s$ill a s"all
.a.8) is a #erso% 1ho is su.De4$ $o "isfor$u%e& as $he ill o"e%s #rese%$ a$
his .ir$h su//es$. He is "ar>e!& ho1e5er& .8 his 4o%$i%ual resilie%4e a%!
o#$i"is". Des#i$e his feeli%/ of .ei%/ $ra##e! .8 $he ,ulsis& he fi/h$s $o

3 K +o""e%$ar8
"ai%$ai% his i%!e#e%!e%4e a%! feels 4o%fi!e%$ $ha$ life 1ill e5e%$uall8
8iel! $o hi" i$s s1ee$%ess a%! ro"a%4e. A se%se of !es#air a%! !isillu;
sio%"e%$ $rou.les hi" la$er i% life& .u$ he fi/h$s a/ai%s$ $ha$ $oo& a%!
re$ai%s fai$h i% $he fu$ure .o$h $hrou/h his 4hil!re% a%! $hrou/h a4hie5;
i%/ $he s$a$us of a house;o1%er. A$ Ha%u"a% House he 4o%!u4$s his 4a";
#ai/% a/ai%s$ $he ,ulsis 1i$h hu"our a%! i%5e%$i5e%ess 1hi4h sho1 his
1i$ a%! se%se of a.sur!i$8. He i%5e%$s a 4a$alo/ue of a%i"al %a"es for
$he fa"il8& su4h as F$he ol! he%G for Mrs ,ulsi& a%! "o4>s $he" for $heir
s$ro%/ a%! e24lusi5e fa"il8 lo8al$ies a%! "i2e! reli/ious affi%i$ies. A$
$i"es his a4$io%s 4a% see" #e$$8 a%! s#i$eful& a%! 8e$ Nai#aul su44ee!s
i% re$ai%i%/ our res#e4$ a%! li>i%/ for hi" as a 4hara4$er. -$ is 1or$h $hi%>;
i%/ a.ou$ ho1 Nai#aul a4hie5es $his !iffi4ul$ .ala%4e. Par$ of $he a%s1er
is $ha$ Mr Bis1as is a.le $o "a>e fu% of hi"self as 1ell as of o$her #eo;
#le& a%! so a5oi!s .e4o"i%/ $oo su#erior a%! s"u/. He a4$s $he role of
4lo1% or .uffoo% freAue%$l8& a%! e5e% "o4>s his o1% a##eara%4e. -% a
s4e%e a$ ,he +hase& he refle4$s ho1 he !oes %o$ feel li>e a s"all "a%&
a%! 8e$ $he 4lo$hes ha%/i%/ u# 1ere u%"is$a>a.l8 $hose of Fa s"all "a%&
4o"i4& "a>e;.elie5e 4lo$hesG. A se%se of i%se4uri$8 also re"ai%s 1i$h
hi"& so $ha$ he %e5er feels #erio!s of /oo! for$u%e 4a% .e #er"a%e%$& or
.elie5es i% $he" full8. ,he effor$ $o a4hie5e $he o1%ershi# of his house&
refle4$e! i% $he 5er8 $i$le of $he %o5el& $hus .e4o"es a %ee! $o es$a.lish a
fir" reali$8 a%! i%!e#e%!e%4e of his o1%. ,he 4rea$i5i$8 sho1% i% his
#ai%$i%/ a%! 1ri$i%/ refle4$s $his %ee! fur$her& as !oes his rea!i%/ of fi4;
$io% a%! #hiloso#h8. He %ee!s $o .elie5e i% $he #ossi.ili$8 of ro"a%4e&
a%! "u4h of his frus$ra$io% i% $he %o5el s$e"s fro" $he feeli%/ $ha$
ro"a%4e is al1a8s elu!i%/ hi"& es#e4iall8 af$er he .e4o"es i%5ol5e!
1i$h $he ,ulsis.
,his i%5ol5e"e%$ re5eals a%o$her "aDor $he"e of $he %o5elH $ha$ of $he
4o"#le2 rela$io%shi# .e$1ee% free!o" a%! 4o""i$"e%$. 9ree!o" is
sho1% as so"e$hi%/ 1hi4h is !esire!& .u$ feare! a$ $he sa"e $i"e& as i$
4a% 4ause feeli%/s of e"#$i%ess a%! of %o$ .elo%/i%/ or .ei%/ %e4essar8
$o a%o$her #erso% or $o so4ie$8 as a 1hole. ,hese feeli%/s are freAue%$l8
a$ 1ar i% Mr Bis1as& a%! $his 4o%fli4$ is sho1% i% his 4ha%/i%/ a$$i$u!es
$o Ha%u"a% House. Al$hou/h he Aui4>l8 re.els a/ai%s$ i$s a$$e"#$ $o
!es$ro8 his i%!i5i!uali$8 .8 "a>i%/ hi" 4o%for" $o $he es$a.lishe! rules
a%! 4o!es of .eha5iour& he also 1el4o"es $he feeli%/ of se4uri$8 a%!
or!erli%ess 1hi4h i$ offers. Here he is %o lo%/er si"#l8 a %o%e%$i$8& .u$
has a re4o/%ise! role& e5e% if i$ of$e% see"s a %e/a$i5e o%e. He hi"self
feels o% o44asio%s $ha$ his 4a"#ai/% is #oi%$less a%! !e/ra!i%/& a%! $ha$
his #rese%4e i% $he househol! is .asi4all8 irrele5a%$ si%4e if he lef$& $he
fa"il8 ri$uals 1oul! 4o%$i%ue as .efore.
-$ is a$ $his #oi%$& a$ $he e%! of Par$ 7& $ha$ he re4o/%ises $ha$ re.ellio%

+o""e%$ar8 K 33
L $o .e 4o%s$ru4$i5e L "us$ .e a44o"#a%ie! .8 $he #osi$i5e a4$ of 4o%;
s$ru4$i%/ a .e$$er al$er%a$i5e& a%! he lea5es for $he 4i$8 1i$h $his i%$e%$io%.
,he #ro4ess of .uil!i%/ a se#ara$e i!e%$i$8 a%! a44e#$i%/ $he resul$s of
o%eGs #as$ a4$io%s a%! i%5ol5e"e%$s is sho1% $o .e a #ai%ful a%! !iffi4ul$
#ro4ess. -$ i%5ol5es $he she!!i%/ of fa%$asies a%! illusio%s 1e all #ossess&
s8".olise! for Mr Bis1as i% his FEs4a#eG s$ories 1hi4h he e5e%$uall8
!es$ro8s& a%! a44e#$i%/ $he reali$8 a%! 4o""i$"e%$s 1hi4h ha5e (li>e Mr
Bis1asGs #ossessio%s) /ra!uall8 a44u"ula$e! al"os$ 1i$hou$ his .ei%/
a1are of i$. ,he %o5el is $hus #ar$l8 a.ou$ /ro1i%/ u#& a%! a$$ai%i%/
"a$uri$8 a%! a se%se of res#o%si.ili$8.
A si"ilar a".i5ale%4e is sho1% i% Mr Bis1asGs reli/ious 5ie1s.
Al$hou/h he 4lai"s $o reDe4$ a%8 $ra!i$io%al Hi%!u a$$i$u!es& su4h as $he
ri/i! 4as$e s8s$e" (as is sho1% 1he% he Doi%s $he Ar8a%s)& he e%Do8s his
Brah"i% s$a$us 1he% a$ ,araGs a%! Ra"4ha%!Gs ho"es& a%! #ossesses a
4er$ai% fas$i!ious%ess a.ou$ foo!s a%! s"ells L he refuses $o s$o4> sal$
.eef a%! lar! i% his sho# a$ ,he +hase& a%! i% "o"e%$s of fear a%! s$ress
he 4ha%$s Hi%!u #hrases. He also re4ei5es a $ra!i$io%al Hi%!u 4re"a$io%.
Nai#aul is sho1i%/ us here $he 4o"#le2 rela$io%shi# $ha$ e2is$s .e$1ee%
$he for4es $ha$ sha#e a% i%!i5i!ual a%! his a$$e"#$s $o for" his o1% #er;
so%ali$8 a%! .eliefs.
Mr Bis1as !is#la8s also a 4er$ai% %aP5e$8 or i%%o4e%4e i% $he Du!/e;
"e%$s he for"s of o$her #eo#le. -$ see"s $ha$ he 4a% .e easil8 "isle! .8
#eo#le 1ho 4a% $a>e a!5a%$a/e of his fears a%! a".i$io%s. ,his !e4e#;
$io% ha##e%s 1i$h Mo$i a%! $he la18er See.ara% a$ ,he +haseE 1i$h $he
4ar#e%$er& Ma4lea%& a$ 0ree% ?aleE a%! 1i$h $he soli4i$orGs 4ler>. A$
Ha%u"a% House also he is !e4ei5e! i%$o $hi%>i%/ $ha$ he is "arr8i%/ i%$o
a 1eal$h8 fa"il8 a%! 1ill re4ei5e a lar/e !o1r8& .u$ $his ho#e #ro5es hol;
lo1. A fur$her 4o%4e#$ $ha$ Nai#aul is illus$ra$i%/ i% $he %o5el is $he !if;
fere%4e $ha$ 4a% e2is$ .e$1ee% a##eara%4e a%! reali$8& a%! $his 4o%$ras$ is
of$e% a sour4e of hu"our. ,he 1alls of Ha%u"a% House a##ear $o .e
4o%4re$e& .u$ are i% fa4$& as Mrs ,ulsi #rou!l8 $ells hi"& "a!e of 4la8
.ri4>s. ,his !is#ari$8 is sho1% "os$ 4learl8 i% $he house i% Si>>i" S$ree$
1hi4h a/ai% loo>s !e4e#$i5el8 soli! a%! !e4ei5es Mr Bis1as& a%! $he%&
4o"i4all8& $he ,u$$les.
Mr Bis1as hi"self is %o$ all $ha$ he a##ears $o .e. As he sa8s sa!l8 $o
Sha"aH F,ha$ is $he 1hole .las$e! $rou.le. - !o%G$ loo> li>e a%8$hi%/ a$
all. Sho#>ee#er& la18er& !o4$or& la.ourer& o5erseer L - !o%G$ loo> li>e a%8
of $he".G As o%e of $he ,ulsi so%s;i%;la1 a%! as a Dour%alis$ he 4a%
a4hie5e a >i%! of s$a$us& .u$ has al1a8s $o re$ur% $o his F4ro1!e!& sha..8
roo"G. Duri%/ his Do. as i%5es$i/a$or of Deser5i%/ Des$i$u$es& he refle4$s
$ha$ $he 4o%!i$io%s he is li5i%/ i% are as .a! as $he #eo#le a.ou$ 1ho" he
is 1ri$i%/. ,his ele"e%$ of 5ul%era.ili$8 a%! la4> of 4er$ai%$8 hel# $o

3< K +o""e%$ar8
"a>e Mr Bis1as i%$o a hu"a% a%! s8"#a$he$i4 #erso%& as 1ell as a >i%!
of E5er8"a% 1i$h 1ho" 1e 4a% i!e%$if8. ,his also e2#lai%s his 1or!s $o
his so% !uri%/ his .rea>!o1% a$ 0ree% ?ale 1he% A%a%! as>s hi" i% a
.e1il!ere! 1a8 F(ho are 8ouSG Mr Bis1as re#liesH F- a" Dus$ so"e.o!8.
No.o!8 a$ all. - a" Dus$ a "a% 8ou >%o1G. ,hus he rese%$s& as 1e all !o&
$he a$$e"#$s of o$her #eo#le $o 4a$e/orise hi" a%! so re!u4e his i%!i5i!;
uali$8. He e5e% al$ers his !au/h$erGs .ir$h 4er$ifi4a$e 1here he is
!es4ri.e! .8 Se$h as a la.ourer& a%! si/%s hi"self F#ro#rie$orG.
His a$$e"#$s a$ self;!efi%i$io%& $he%& 4o%s$i$u$e $he "ai% .o!8 of $he
%o5el. B8 fi%all8 o1%i%/ his o1% house a1a8 fro" $he ,ulsis& 1ho are
!es4ri.e! a$ $he e%! of $he #rolo/ue as F$ha$ lar/e& !isi%$e/ra$i%/ a%!
i%!iffere%$ fa"il8G& he has su44ee!e! i% la8i%/ 4lai" $o his #or$io% of $he
ear$h a%! es4a#e! $he fa$e of ha5i%/ Fli5e! a%! !ie! as o%e ha! .ee% .or%&
u%%e4essar8 a%! u%a44o""o!a$e!G.
M Bis.as an# t-e ot-e &ain $-aa$tes
,o u%!ers$a%! a%! a##re4ia$e Mr Bis1as full8& i$ is %e4essar8 $o e2a";
i%e his rela$io%shi# 1i$h $hree 4hara4$ers 1ho are of #ar$i4ular i"#or;
$a%4e $o hi"H his so%& his "o$her a%! his 1ife. His rela$io%shi# 1i$h his
so% is 4lose a%! of$e% $e%se as $he8 re4o/%ise i% ea4h o$her a 4o""o%
1ea>%ess a%! 5ul%era.ili$8. Ea4h feels res#o%si.le for $he o$her& a%! o%e
se%ses $ha$ A%a%!& i% #ar$i4ular& so"e$i"es rese%$s $his e"o$io%al $ie.
,his #oi%$ "a8 e2#lai% 1h8& a$ $he e%! of $he %o5el& he !e4i!es %o$ $o
re$ur% ho"e 1he% his fa$her is !8i%/. -$ is also si/%ifi4a%$ $ha$ i$ 1as
!uri%/ $his #erio!& af$er Mr Bis1as 1as sa4>e! fro" $he Sentinel & $ha$
he "os$ %ee!e! Fhis so%Gs i%$eres$ a%! a%/erG si%4e Fi% all $he 1orl! $here
1as %o o%e else $o 1ho" he 4oul! 4o"#lai%G. Mr Bis1as see"s "u4h
4loser $o his so% $ha% he is $o his 1ife Sha"a& as $he8 share "a%8 4har;
a4$eris$i4s a%! A%a%! "o!els hi"self o% his fa$her. (he% Mr Bis1as
firs$ s$ar$s $o $a>e a% i%$eres$ i% his so%& af$er i%i$iall8 re/ar!i%/ hi" as a
!isa##oi%$"e%$& he is s$ru4> .8 $he fra/ili$8 of his a##eara%4e. ,heir
firs$ real 4o%$a4$ o44urs 1he% A%a%! 4hooses $o re"ai% 1i$h his fa$her
a$ 0ree% ?ale .e4ause& as he sh8l8 a!"i$s& F$he8 1as /oi%/ $o lea5e 8ou
alo%eG. A%o$her li%> .e$1ee% $he" is es$a.lishe! here L $ha$ of e!u4a;
$io%& as Mr Bis1as $ea4hes his so% a.ou$ +o#er%i4us& a%! la$er i%$ro;
!u4es hi" $o Di4>e%s a%! o$her %o5elis$s. He is a%2ious $ha$ his so%
shoul! %o$ .e li>e hi"E he 1a%$s hi" $o su44ee! i% a 1or$h1hile 4areer&
a%! his ho#es for $he fu$ure i%4reasi%/l8 fo4us o% his so%. He #a8s for
#ri5a$e lesso%s a%! $he es$ee"e! !ie$ of "il> a%! #ru%es& a%! e5e% hel#s
1i$h $he 1ri$i%/ of his essa8s. Des#i$e A%a%!Gs 4lai" $ha$ he !oes %o$
1a%$ $o .e li>e his fa$her 1he% he is ol!er& $he .o8 is s$ro%/l8 i%flue%4e!

+o""e%$ar8 K 3)
.8 hi"& a%! also i% a se%se lear%s fro" his "is$a>es a%! !iffi4ul$ies.
,hus 1e are $ol! $ha$& a"o%/ $he 4hil!re% a$ Shor$hills& A%a%! is 4o%;
si!ere! s$ro%/& $hou/h he is >e#$ a#ar$ .e4ause of his Fsa$iri4al se%seG.
,his .e/a% a$ firs$ as Fo%l8 a #ose& a%! i"i$a$io% of his fa$herG .u$ $he%
!e5elo#e! i%$o a% a$$i$u!e of 4o%$e"#$ 1hi4h le! $o Fi%a!eAua4ies ...
self;a1are%ess a%! a las$i%/ lo%eli%essG a%! also "a!e hi" Fu%assail;
a.leG. ,hou/h Mr Bis1as uses his /if$s of 4ari4a$ure a%! hu"our $o
#ro$e4$ hi"self& #ar$i4ularl8 a$ Ha%u"a% House& 1e s$ill feel his esse%;
$ial 5ul%era.ili$8 a%! sufferi%/& #ar$l8 .e4ause of his s$ro%/ %ee! a%!
!esire $o .elo%/ a%! feel a$ ho"e i% so4ie$8. U%li>e his so%& he 4a%
%e5er sus$ai% a% a$$i$u!e of !e$a4h"e%$ a%! aloof%ess for a%8 le%/$h of
$i"e.
,he rela$io%shi# .e$1ee% Mr Bis1as a%! his "o$her& $hou/h i$ is %o$
!eal$ 1i$h a$ a%8 le%/$h& is fel$ as a s$ro%/ for4e i% $he %o5el& a%! is $rea$;
e! .8 Nai#aul 1i$h /rea$ !eli4a48 a%! se%si$i5i$8. ,he rela$io%shi# is
e2#resse! lar/el8 i% %e/a$i5e $er"s i% i$s effe4$ o% Mr Bis1as. Af$er $he
!ea$h of his fa$her& Mr Bis1as loo>s $o his "o$her for /rea$er su##or$ a%!
4o"for$. Af$er he re$ur%s fro" $he ru" sho#& he as>s his "o$her sa!l8
1h8 she >ee#s se%!i%/ hi" $o li5e 1i$h o$her #eo#le& a%! 4o"#lai%s $ha$H
F- ha5e %o fa$her $o loo> af$er "e a%! #eo#le 4a% $rea$ "e ho1 $he8
1a%$G. (he% $he8 li5e $o/e$her a$ $he .a4> $ra4e i% Pa/o$es& she fills hi"
1i$h a%/er a%! !e#ressio% as she 4o%s$a%$l8 .e1ails her fa$e& a%! is sh8
of sho1i%/ hi" affe4$io% i% a house of s$ra%/ers. He $ur%s $o ,ara for
"o$herl8 su##or$ L i$ is $o her $ha$ he re4ou%$s $he hu"ilia$i%/ $ale of $he
.a%a%as& i% $he ho#e of .ei%/ 4o"for$e!.
,here is& ho1e5er& a shif$ i% Mr Bis1asGs 5ie1 of his "o$her i% $he
%o5el. He realises $ha$ she is a 1o"a% 1ho is s$ill e%er/e$i4 a%! 4a#a.le
1he% he 5isi$s her a$ Pa/o$es !uri%/ his #erio! a$ ,he +hase& a%! a/ai%
1he% he sees her a$ Pra$a#Gs ho"e !uri%/ his $ra5els as $he S4arle$
Pi"#er%el. She 4o"es $o s$a8 1i$h hi" a$ Shor$hills for a for$%i/h$ a%!
a/ai% sur#rises Mr Bis1as a%! 1i%s his res#e4$ .8 her effi4ie%48& a%! .8
$he 4al"%ess a%! a44e#$a%4e 1i$h 1hi4h she 5ie1s $heir rela$io%shi#. He
s$ill& ho1e5er& feels 5er8 /uil$8 a.ou$ his "o$her& >%o1i%/ $ha$ he has
%e/le4$e! her i% $he #as$ a%! has fel$ asha"e! of her #o5er$8. He feels
af$er her !ea$h $ha$ he has %e5er >%o1% her or lo5e! her& a%! his #oe$i4
$ri.u$e $o her L as 1ell as his le%/$h8 le$$er $o $he !o4$or L are a$$e"#$s
$o e2#ress his /rief a%! /uil$& a%! so 4o"e $o $er"s 1i$h $he" a%! .e
F1holeG a/ai%. ,his /uil$ also i%flue%4es Mr Bis1asGs #ur4hase of $he
house i% Si>>i" S$ree$ 1he% $he soli4i$orGs 4ler> uses $he #re$e2$ of
%ee!i%/ $o #ro5i!e his o1% a/ei%/ "o$her 1i$h /rea$er 4o"for$ as $he
reaso% for a Aui4> sale. Nai#aul su44ee!s i% #rese%$i%/ $his fla1e! rela;
$io%shi#& li%>e! as i$ is 1i$h a se%se of loss a%! of Fso"e$hi%/ "isse!G&

3@ K +o""e%$ar8
1i$hou$ a%8 $ra4es of se%$i"e%$ali$8 or i!ealisa$io%. ,his is o%e of his
/rea$ s$re%/$hs as a %o5elis$H i% his $rea$"e%$ of Mr Bis1as a%! o$her
4hara4$ers& he is a.le $o .le%! a 4er$ai% !e$a4h"e%$ a%! o.De4$i5i$8 1i$h
hu"a% 1ar"$h a%! 4o"#assio%.
,he sa"e 4o""e%$ 4a% .e "a!e a.ou$ $he rela$io%shi# .e$1ee% Mr
Bis1as a%! his 1ife. ,his& $oo& is fla1e! i% $ha$ %ei$her hus.a%! %or 1ife
reall8 u%!ers$a%!s ea4h o$her. Sha"a& 1i$h her "i2e! alle/ia%4es $o $he
,ulsis a%! $o her hus.a%!& re"ai%s lar/el8 a #uMMle $o her hus.a%!.
,hou/h she o44asio%all8 re.els a/ai%s$ her hus.a%! for his !isru#$i5e
.eha5iour& usuall8 .8 lea5i%/ hi"& she is s$au%4hl8 lo8al a%! a44e#$s
1ha$ fa$e has /i5e% her. She is a.le $o share his Do>es a.ou$ her fa"il8&
$hou/h re"i%!i%/ hi" of his !e#e%!e%4e o% $he". She fears a%8 se5er;
i%/ of her $ies 1i$h $he ,ulsis si%4e& as Mr Bis1as re4o/%ises 1i$h a% ele;
"e%$ of .i$$er%ess& a".i$io% for her 4o%sis$s lar/el8 of Fa series of %e/a;
$i5esH %o$ $o .e u%"arrie!& %o$ $o .e 4hil!less& %o$ $o .e a% u%!u$iful
!au/h$er& sis$er& 1ife& "o$her& 1i!o1G. U%li>e her hus.a%!& she is ha##8
$o 4o%for"& a%! 4a%%o$ u%!ers$a%! $he %e4essi$8 for his re.ellio%.
No%e$heless Mr Bis1as is /la! of her #rese%4e a%! 4o"#a%8. A$ ,he
+hase& for e2a"#le& she .a%ishes $he sile%4e a%! lo%eli%ess& a%! his
.rea>!o1% a$ 0ree% ?ale is #ar$l8 4ause! .8 her lo%/ a.se%4es 1i$h $he
4hil!re% a%! his su.seAue%$ isola$io%. He 4o"es i%4reasi%/l8 $o rel8 o%
her #o1ers of Du!/e"e%$& e5e% $hou/h he s$ill a4$s i%!e#e%!e%$l8& as o5er
$he #ur4hase of his las$ house. He is so"e$i"es e".arrasse! .8 her la4>
of e!u4a$io%& as i% $he s4e%e 1i$h Miss 'o/ie& 1here Sha"a $al>s /arru;
lousl8 $o her !uri%/ $he !ri5e $o Sa%s;Sou4i. ,his s4e%e also sho1s $ha$
Mr Bis1as is u%a1are of 4er$ai% as#e4$s of his 1ifeGs 4hara4$er& Dus$ as he
1as sur#rise! $o fi%! her 4hil!hoo! "e"e%$oes& si/%s of her 4o%$a4$ 1i$h
$he ou$si!e 1orl!& i% $he !ra1er of $he !ressi%/;$a.le !uri%/ $heir "o5e
$o 0ree% ?ale. -% s#i$e of i$s i%a!eAua4ies& $he "arria/e $ie is sho1% as
s$ro%/ a%! e%!uri%/& #ro5i!i%/ a #oi%$ arou%! 1hi4h .o$h 4hara4$ers 4a%
.uil! a%! !efi%e $heir li5es.
St(le an# stu$tue
,he %o5el is !i5i!e! i%$o $1o #ar$s& e%4lose! .8 a Prolo/ue a%! a%
E#ilo/ue. ,he #lo$ s$ru4$ure is #ar$ of a lo%/ Bri$ish %o5elis$i4 $ra!i$io%
as re#rese%$e! .8 +harles Di4>e%s (7:7L=3) 1i$h i$s 4o%4e%$ra$io% o%
$he life his$or8 of a si%/le #ro$a/o%is$& a%! $he $ra4i%/ of his for$u%es
fro" .ir$h $o !ea$h& 1i$h $he a44o"#a%8i%/ sear4h for self;fulfil"e%$ a%!
re4o/%i$io%. ,he %o5el also $ra4es $he rise a%! fall of $he ,ulsi fa"il8&
a%! $he 4ha%/es i% so4ie$8 o5er a #erio! of fif$8 8ears. -$ is !iffi4ul$ $o
!a$e $he e5e%$s i% $he %o5el #re4isel8& .u$ i$ see"s $o 4o5er $he #erio!

+o""e%$ar8 K 3=
.e$1ee% 7*3) a%! 7*)7& so i%4lu!i%/ $he $1o "aDor 1orl! 1ars L $he
se4o%! of 1hi4h !oes i"#i%/e o% $he %o5el 1i$h i$s e4o%o"i4 effe4$s a%!
$he /ro1i%/ A"eri4a% i%flue%4e. Nai#aul& ho1e5er& !oes %o$ 1holl8
4o%for" $o $he "o!el !efi%e! a.o5e. ,he heroGs !ea$h& for i%s$a%4e& is
re#or$e! i% $he Prolo/ue& a%! $hrou/hou$ $he %o5el $here is a su.$le series
of 4ross;refere%4es a%! re4urri%/ i"a/es. A "i%or e2a"#le of $he la$$er
is $he !es4ri#$io% of $he le/s of Pra$a# a%! Prasa! o% re$ur%i%/ fro" $he
"u!!8 .uffalo #o%! 1hi4h ha! $ur%e! 1hi$e Fso $ha$ $he8 loo>e! li>e $he
$rees i% fire;s$a$io%s a%! #oli4e;s$a$io%s 1hi4h are 1ashe! 1i$h 1hi$e
li"e u# $o $he "i!!le of $heir $ru%>sG& a% i"a/e 1hi4h Mr Bis1as re4alls
1he% he lea5es Ha%u"a% House a%! Ar1a4as af$er his #erio! of 4o%5a;
les4e%4e a%! sees $he #al" $rees i% $he !ri5e $o $he #oli4e;s$a$io%. A "ore
%o$a.le e2a"#le is $he 4a$alo/ue of Mr Bis1asGs #ossessio%s 1hi4h is
use! $o re#rese%$ !iffere%$ #hases of his life a%! $o a4$ as a 4o%4re$e ref;
ere%4e $o his #as$ e2#erie%4es. A$ ea4h "o5e $o a%o$her house& $he /ro1;
i%/ lis$ is !e$aile!. Af$er $he $i"e a$ Shor$hills& for e2a"#le& Mr Bis1as
has /ai%e! Fo%l8 $1o #ie4es of fur%i$ureH $he Slu".er>i%/ .e! a%!
,hQo#hileGs .oo>4aseG. 9or $he rea!er& also& ea4h i$e" of fur%i$ure
.e4o"es o5erlai! 1i$h #ar$i4ular asso4ia$io%s& a%! so hel#s $o .i%! $he
%o5el $o/e$her a%! /i5e i$ u%i$8. A feeli%/ of #a$hos is also e5o>e! .8 $he
lis$ of $hese F/a$heri%/s of a life$i"eG 1he% $he8 are e2#ose! for $he las$
$i"e o% $he "o5e $o Si>>i" S$ree$ a%! see" Fu%fa"iliar a%! sha..8 a%!
sha"efulG.
Perha#s $he "os$ s$ri>i%/ 4hara4$eris$i4 of Nai#aulGs s$8le is his
#o1er of o.ser5a$io%. He sho1s #re4isio% a%! 4lari$8& as 1ell as a
4lose a$$e%$io% $o !e$ail a%! a% a.ili$8 $o 4rea$e "oo! a%! a$"os#here
i% a realis$i4 a%! e5o4a$i5e 1a8. He 4o""e%$s i% An Area of !ar"ness
$ha$ la%!s4a#es are %o$ $rul8 real u%$il $he8 ha5e .ee% /i5e% $he Aual;
i$8 of "8$hE .u$ $here is al1a8s a soli!i$8 a%! 4o%4re$e%ess a.ou$ his
!es4ri#$io%s. ,he .arra4>s a$ 0ree% ?ale& for e2a"#le& are !es4ri.e!
a$ o%e #oi%$ as Fa #la4e $ha$ 1as %o1here& a !o$ o% $he "a# of $he
isla%!& 1hi4h 1as a !o$ o% $he "a# of $he 1orl!G. ,his a.s$ra4$ 4o";
"e%$ is $he% follo1e! .8 $he o.ser5a$io% $ha$ F... !ea! $rees ri%/e! $he
.arra4>s& a 1all of fla1less .la4>G. Nai#aul !oes %o$ fli%4h fro"
!es4ri.i%/ u%#leasa%$ si/h$s& su4h as $he s4a.s for"e! .8 $he sores
1hi4h Mr Bis1as has as a 4hil!& .u$ $he la%/ua/e use! is %e5er se%;
sa$io%al or e2a//era$e!. ,his se%se of 4o%$rol 4o"es #ar$l8 fro" $he
!is$a%4e $ha$ Nai#aul "ai%$ai%s fro" $he "a$erial he is ha%!li%/&
1hi4h e%a.les hi" $o a5oi! falsel8 ro"a%$i4isi%/ his su.De4$ a%!
"a>es $he "a$erial see" realis$i4 a%! 4re!i.le. A% e2a"#le of $his is
$he 4areful !e$aili%/ of Mr Bis1asGs .rea>!o1% a$ 0ree% ?ale. B8
re#or$i%/ $his #ro4ess i% a% u%e"o$io%al $o%e& usuall8 i% $he for" of

3: K +o""e%$ar8
s$a$e"e%$s& he /i5es $he 1ri$i%/ /rea$ #o1er a%! !ra"a$i4 effe4$.
(he% Mr Bis1as "o5es i%$o his i%4o"#le$e house& he .e4o"es
o.sesse! 1i$h $he as#hal$ o% $he roof 1hi4h "el$s a%! loo>s li>e a
%u".er of s%a>es. ,he8 e5e% .e/i% $o a##ear i% his !rea"s& a%! FHe
.e/a% $o re/ar! $he" as li5i%/& a%! 1o%!ere! 1ha$ i$ 1oul! .e li>e $o
ha5e o%e fall a%! 4url o% his s>i%G. (he% $his horror o44urs& i$ is
re#or$e! i% a "a$$er;of;fa4$ 1a8 1hi4h ser5es $o i%$e%sif8 $he horror
far "ore $ha% a "ore "elo!ra"a$i4 !es4ri#$io% 4oul! ha5e !o%e. FA
s%a>e ha! falle% o% hi". ?er8 $hi%& a%! %o$ lo%/. (he% $he8 loo>e!
u# $he8 sa1 $he #are%$ s%a>e& 1ai$i%/ $o release so"e "oreG.
,his res$rai%$ i% $he 1ri$i%/ is a !iffi4ul$ a4hie5e"e%$ for a%8 1ri$er&
a%! is o%e of Nai#aulGs /rea$ s$re%/$hs. (e e2#erie%4e $he sufferi%/s of
Mr Bis1as "ore i%$e%sel8 .e4ause of $his 4areful a%! !eli4a$e 4o%$ras$
.e$1ee% $he a1ful%ess of a #ar$i4ular e5e%$ a%! $he 4o%$ai%e! 1a8 i%
1hi4h i$ is !es4ri.e!. A fur$her e2a"#le is $he !es$ru4$io% of $he !ollGs
house 1hi4h Mr Bis1as has /i5e% his !au/h$er& o%e of $he "os$ $rau;
"a$i4 e2#erie%4es 1hi4h he has i% $he %o5el. O%4e a/ai%& ho1e5er& $he
e5e%$ is !es4ri.e! i% a si"#le s$8le 1hi4h allo1s $he rea!er $o i"a/i%e
$he e"o$io%s i%5ol5e! 5i5i!l8. Mr Bis1as !is4o5ers $he !ollGs house
$hro1% a/ai%s$ a fe%4e i% $he 8ar! a$ Ha%u"a% HouseH FA .ro>e% !oor&
a rui%e! 1i%!o1& a s$a5e!;i% 1all or e5e% roof L he ha! e2#e4$e! $ha$.
Bu$ %o$ $his. ,he !ollGs house !i! %o$ e2is$. He sa1 o%l8 a .u%!le of
fire1oo!. No%e of i$s #ar$s 1as 1hole. -$s !eli4a$e Doi%$s 1ere e2#ose!
a%! uselessG.
S(&0olis& an# i&a,e(
,he e2a"#le of $he !ollGs house also sho1s $he #o1erful use of s8";
.olis" i% $he %o5el. Here $he !ollGs house& a%! i$s !es$ru4$io%& are i!e%;
$ifie! 1i$h Mr Bis1as hi"self. ,he house a##ears $o ha5e a hu"a% .o!8&
1i$h $he refere%4es $o F!eli4a$e Doi%$sG a%! la$er $o F$or% s>i%G. ,here are
"a%8 uses of s8".olis" i% $he %o5elH s8".ols 4a% .e li%>e! 1i$h #la4es
a%! 1i$h #eo#le& or 1i$h .o$h. ,hus $he !es4ri#$io% of Ha%u"a% House
as a% Falie% 1hi$e for$ressG su//es$s $he forei/% %a$ure of $he ,ulsis a%!
$heir Hi%!u reli/io% i% ,ri%i!a!& a%! $he 1a8 i% 1hi4h $he house 1ill .e
a #riso% $o Mr Bis1as a/ai%s$ 1hi4h he "us$ re.el 1i$h his o1%
1ea#o%s. ,his 4oul! .e $er"e! a F"ul$i#leG s8".ol si%4e i$ e5o>es "ore
$ha% o%e i"a/e& a%! $here are se5eral o$her s8".ols 1hi4h o#era$e i%
$his 1a8. ,here is $he re4urre%$ i"a/e of $he .o8 s$a%!i%/ ou$si!e a
house a$ !us> 1hi4h Mr Bis1as firs$ o.ser5es 1he% a4$i%/ as a 4o%!u4;
$or o% o%e of ADo!haGs .uses. -$ .e4o"es asso4ia$e! for hi" 1i$h a feel;
i%/ of !esola$io% a%! lo%eli%ess& a%! is li%>e! s8".oli4all8 1i$h his

+o""e%$ar8 K 3*
%ee! for s$a.ili$8 a%! a ho"e $o /i5e a se%se of 4er$ai%$8 a%! se4uri$8.
Nai#aul also uses !es4ri#$io%s of %a$ure a%! la%!s4a#e $o e4ho $he
$he"es of $he %o5el a%! $o a4$ as s8".ols. (he% asso4ia$e! 1i$h $he
,ulsis& $he la%!s4a#e of$e% $a>es $he for" of a% u%4o%$rolle! a%! !e4a8;
i%/ Du%/le. ,he sho# a$ ,he +hase is surrou%!e! .8 a.a%!o%e! la%!
1hi4h fos$ers %e$$les a%! 1ee!s& a%! arou%! 0ree% ?ale $here are half;
!ea! lea5es& a%! i$ is F!a"# a%! sha!o1e! a%! 4loseG. A$ Shor$hills $he
fer$ile a%! #ro!u4$i5e la%! is lar/el8 u%4ul$i5a$e! a%! .e4o"es a
1il!er%ess. -% Mr Bis1asGs house i% Si>>i" S$ree$& ho1e5er& %a$ure is
see% as so"e$hi%/ .eau$iful a%! e5e% l8ri4al& 1i$h $he 4ool%ess of $he
la.ur%u" a%! $he s4e%$ of $he lil8 1hi4h 4o"for$ Mr Bis1as !uri%/ his
fi%al ill%ess. (he% he #la%$s a /ar!e% a$ Mrs ,ulsiGs house i% Por$ of
S#ai% $he rose $rees flourishE .u$ as his !es#air a%! !isillusio%"e%$
!ee#e%& $he roses& u%$e%!e!& /ro1 Fs$ra//l8 a%! har!G a%! are !a"a/e!
.8 a .li/h$. ,he s8".olis" i% $he %o5el is rarel8 o.$rusi5e or hea58;
ha%!e!& a%!& li>e $he 4e%$ral s8".ol of $he house i$self& $he s8".ols
/ra!uall8 a44u"ula$e a!!i$io%al for4e a%! "ea%i%/ i% $he 4ourse of $he
%o5el.
O%e isola$e! s8".ol 1hi4h !eser5es 4o""e%$ is $he i"a/e of $he
1i%/e! a%$s 1hi4h A%a%! 1a$4hes !uri%/ $he s$or" a$ 0ree% ?ale. -% $his
e#iso!e 1e see $he !es$ru4$io% of o%e $8#e of a%$ .8 a%o$her "ore fi$$e!
$o sur5i5e. A%a%! $ries $o >ill $he .la4>& .i$i%/ a%$s .u$ a.a%!o%s $his as
fu$ile 1he% he is su!!e%l8 $errifie! .8 $heir a%/er a%! 5i%!i4$i5e%ess.
,his e#iso!e 4a% .e see% as illus$ra$i%/ $he 4o"#assio% $ha$ A%a%! feels
for $he 5i4$i"& .u$ also his frus$ra$io% a%! a%/er 1he% he re4o/%ises $he
fu$ili$8 of $he 1ea> $r8i%/ $o hel# $he 1ea>. ,hese feeli%/s are e4hoe! i%
his rela$io%shi# 1i$h his fa$her& #ar$i4ularl8 a$ $his "o"e%$ 1he% Mr
Bis1as is hu!!le! o% $he .e! re4i$i%/ Hi%!u 1or!s& a%! i"a/i%i%/ $ha$
F$he8G ha5e 4o"e $o /e$ hi".
Hu&ou an# satie
,hese $1o ele"e%$s are 4e%$ral i% $he %o5el a%! are of$e% li%>e!& si%4e
sa$ire uses ri!i4ule& iro%8& a%! sar4as" $o 4ri$i4ise i$s o.De4$. -ro%8 is $he
!o"i%a%$ $e4h%iAue for 4rea$i%/ hu"our& #ar$i4ularl8 i% $he !es4ri#;
$io%s of $he feu!s .e$1ee% Mr Bis1as a%! $he ,ulsis. Mr Bis1as 4o";
"e%$s $o Sha"a a$ o%e #oi%$& 1he% she is $hrea$e%i%/ $o re$ur% $o
Ha%u"a% House af$er a Auarrel& $ha$ she 1ill .e /i5e% Fso"e "e!al a$
$he "o%>e8 houseGE a%! he i%5e%$s a%i"al %a"es for $he "ai% "e".ers
of $he fa"il8& as 1ell as referri%/ $o Mrs ,ulsiGs $1o so%s as $he Fli$$le
/o!sG. ,hese !es4ri#$io%s& $hou/h a.sur! a%! far4i4al& also 4o%$ai%
so"e $ru$h a%! so /ai% our s8"#a$h8 a%! 1e lau/h 1i$h Mr Bis1as a$

<3 K +o""e%$ar8
$he #re$e%sio%s a%! #e$$8 $8ra%%ies of $he ,ulsis. Par$i4ular i%4i!e%$s a$
$he ,ulsi es$a.lish"e%$ are also hu"orous a%! e5e% .or!er o% sla#s$i4>&
su4h as $he s#illi%/ of a #la$e of foo! o% O1a!Gs hea!. ,he hu"our is also
!ire4$e! a$ $i"es a/ai%s$ Mr Bis1as hi"selfE $his a!!s $o $he 4o"#le2i$8
a%! ri4h%ess of $he %o5el si%4e i$ a5oi!s a si"#lifie! res#o%se i% $he
rea!er& a%! also 4o%$ri.u$es $o $he #i4$ure 1e ha5e of Mr Bis1asGs 4har;
a4$er. ,hus& 1he% he refers $o Ha%u"a% House as .ei%/ li>e a F.las$e!
MooG& Sha"a 4o""e%$s $ha$ he has $he role of a .ar>i%/ #u##8 !o/& a
!es4ri#$io% 1hi4h& a/ai%& 4o%$ai%s a% ele"e%$ of $ru$h. Mr Bis1as is fre;
Aue%$l8 sa$irise! i% $he %o5el& a%! his 1ea>%esses e2#ose!. ,he use of $he
$hir! #erso% L Mr Bis1as L 4rea$es i% i$self a !is$a%4i%/ effe4$ for $he
rea!er& a%! 1e see Mr Bis1as as esse%$iall8 a 4o"#le2 a%! rou%!e! 4har;
a4$er. ,here is hu"our i% his .a$$le for #ossessio%s 1i$h (. +. ,u$$le a$
$he house i% Por$ of S#ai%& a .a$$le i% 1hi4h he is full8 e%/a/e! a%!
1hi4h 4o%$i%ues u%$il he fi%all8 .u8s his o1% house. A si"ilar ri5alr8 is
sho1% 1i$h 0o5i%! o5er 4lo$hes. ,here is a hu"orous s4e%e 1he% Mr
Bis1as !resses u# i% his e2#e%si5e %e1 sui$ a%! /oes $o a 4ri4>e$ "a$4h
$o sho1 i$ off& o%l8 $o fi%! $ha$ $he "a$4h is al"os$ o5er.
,here are "a%8 o$her i%s$a%4es of hu"our i% $he %o5el. O1a!Gs su#er;
fi4ial 4o%5ersio% $o $he Russia% Re5olu$io% is hel! u# $o ri!i4ule& a%!
A%a%!Gs s#ee!8 reDe4$io% of his heroGs s$a$e! ar$is$i4 #reDu!i4es is $rea$;
e! si"ilarl8& $hou/h 1i$h "ore s8"#a$h8. ,here is of$e%& ho1e5er& a
4o%$ras$i%/ se%se of #a$hos a%! e5e% !es#era$io% u%!erl8i%/ $he
hu"our. Mr Bis1as hi"self su//es$s $his i% his res#o%se $o his Auarrels
1i$h $he ,ulsis. ,hese Auarrels& as 1i$h $he fi%al o%e 1hi4h 4auses hi"
$o lea5e Mrs ,ulsiGs house& of$e% lea5e hi" 1i$h a feeli%/ of hu"ilia$io%
a%! i%!i/%i$8H FMr Bis1asGs a%/er ha! /o%e s$aleE i$ .ur!e%e! hi". No1
$here 1as also sha"e a$ his .eha5iour& sha"e a$ $he 1hole /ross s4e%eG.
A si"ilar #oi%$ is "a!e .8 $he s$or8 of Bill8 1hi4h is re4ou%$e! /lee;
full8 i% $he 4afQ 1here Mr Bis1as has /o%e 1i$h $he soli4i$orGs 4ler>. -$
is a $ale a.ou$ #eo#le .ei%/ 4hea$e! ou$ of houses a%! i$ 4auses lau/h$er
F... .u$ Mr Bis1as 4oul! $a>e %o #ar$ i% i$G. ,here is u%!ilu$e! hu"our
i% $he %o5el& .u$ freAue%$l8 a "ore so".re %o$e is #rese%$ a%! u%!er4u$s
$he 4o"e!8.
Ta,e#( o $o&e#(B
A #ouse for $r Bis%as 4a%%o$ .e fi$$e! %ea$l8 i%$o a s#e4ifi4 4ri$i4al
4a$e/or8 or /e%re. -$ has ele"e%$s of $he 4o"i4 a%! $he $ra/i4& a%!
of$e% $he !is$i%4$io%s are .lurre!. (e see Mr Bis1as u%!er/oi%/ "u4h
sufferi%/ a%! frus$ra$io% .u$ of$e% re$alia$i%/ i% a 4o"i4 "a%%er 1i$h
his /es$ures of re.ellio%. He sees hi"self i% a ra$her 1r8 a%! sar!o%i4

+o""e%$ar8 K <7
"a%%erE 4o"#ari%/ hi"self 1i$h Hari i% $heir res#e4$i5e #osi$io%s i%
$he ,ulsi hierar4h8& he refle4$s $ha$ F... he 4oul!%G$ see hi"self as a
hol8 "a% for lo%/. Soo%er or la$er so"eo%e 1as .ou%! $o sur#rise hi"
... rea!i%/ T,he Ma%2"a%U or T,he A$o"UG& a%!& al$hou/h he "a8
so"e$i"es rese%$ a4$i%/ $he role of a 4lo1% or .uffoo%& his i%here%$
1i$ a%! fa4e$ious%ess "a>e $his role i%e5i$a.le. His s"all #h8siAue
a%! 4o%$i%ual i%!i/es$io% are also sour4es of hu"our. He has "u4h i%
4o""o% 1i$h (ill8 'o"a% i% $he #la8 !eath of a Salesman (7*<*) .8
Ar$hur Miller ( b+7*7))E .o$h ha5e ele"e%$s of $he $ra/i4 hero. 'i>e $he
$ra!i$io%al $ra/i4 hero& Mr Bis1as suffers a%! !ies& a%! s$ill re$ai%s his
i!eals a%! 5isio% i% $he fa4e of o##osi$io%& sho1i%/ /rea$ resilie%4e i%
$he #ro4ess. ,hou/h he "a8 see" a.sur! a%! self;!elu!e! a$ $i"es& as
i% his fi%al #ur4hase of a house& our res#o%se $o hi" is "i2e!& a%! 1e
4a% a!"ire his e%!ura%4e a%! s8"#a$hise 1i$h his 5ul%era.ili$8. ,here
is also a$ $he e%! of $he %o5el a se%se of resolu$io% a%! of so"e$hi%/
a4hie5e! 1hi4h is "ore a##ro#ria$e $o 4o"e!8 $ha% $ra/e!8& 1here $he
#re!o"i%a%$ feeli%/ a$ $he e%! is of$e% a se%se of 1as$e. Mr Bis1as
!ies 1i$h $he 4o"for$i%/ >%o1le!/e $ha$ he is %o$& li>e Ki%/ 'ear i%
Sha>es#eareGs $ra/e!8& Fu%%e4essar8 a%! u%a44o""o!a$e!G& .u$ has
lef$ a le/a48 $o his 1ife a%! 4hil!re% i% $he $riu"#ha%$ a4Auisi$io% of
a house.
T-e &ino $-aa$tes
Ms Tulsi
Mrs ,ulsi is $he 4e%$re of $he ,ulsi fa"il8 arou%! 1hi4h $he o$her 4har;
a4$ers re5ol5e. She is $he 1i!o1 of Pu%!i$ ,ulsi& a res#e4$e! fi/ure
.o$h i% his %a$i5e -%!ia a%! i% ,ri%i!a!& a%! $he 1hole fa"il8 /ai%
#res$i/e fro" his re#u$a$io%. Mrs ,ulsi (or FMaiG& "ea%i%/ "o$her& as
she is freAue%$l8 4alle!) "ai%$ai%s a "a$riar4hal $8ra%%8 o5er $he
househol! a%! i$s 5arious "e".ers. -$ is si/%ifi4a%$ $ha$ i% Ha%u"a%
House& $he usual Hi%!u $ra!i$io% .8 1hi4h !au/h$ers /o $o li5e 1i$h
$heir hus.a%!s a%! .e4o"e al"os$ ser5a%$s of $heir "o$hers;i%;la1 is
re5erse!& i% $ha$ $he hus.a%!s s$a8 i% $he !au/h$ersG househol! a%!
.e4o"e su.ser5ie%$ $o $heir "o$her;i%;la1& Mrs ,ulsi. ,his is #ar$ of
$he hu"ilia$io% 1hi4h Mr Bis1as feels so s$ro%/l8 a%! $ries $o reDe4$.
,he "a%i#ula$io% 1hi4h Mrs ,ulsi !ire4$s $o1ar!s $hose arou%! her is
4le5erl8 4o%4eale! ($hou/h %o$ fro" Mr Bis1as) u%!er a% a##eara%4e
of "ar$8r!o" a%! sufferi%/. -f so"eo%e s$e#s ou$ of li%e& she fai%$s a%!
re$ires $o $he Rose Roo" 1here she is e%!lessl8 "assa/e! .8 $he fai$h;
ful Sushila a%! o$her !au/h$ers& a%! re"ai%s $here u%$il $he offe%!i%/

< K +o""e%$ar8
so%;i%;la1& 1ho e%4ou%$ers sile%4e a%! hos$ili$8 o% all si!es& is for4e!
$o 4a#i$ula$e a%! a#olo/ise $o her.
Mr Bis1as is o% "a%8 o44asio%s su.De4$ $o $he 1hi"s a%! e"o$io%al
.la4>"ail of $he Fol! fo2G. She is a.le $o 4o%$rol her "oo!s a44or!i%/ $o
$he o44asio%& $o .e4o"e "au!li% a%! se%$i"e%$al $o !isar" her o##o%e%$.
,his is sho1% 1he% she $ries $o 1i% Mr Bis1as .a4> $o fa"il8 alle/ia%4e
af$er $he .ir$h of Sa5i& 1ho" he 1ishes $o %a"e 'a>sh"i. She "a>es a
%u".er of si"#le s$a$e"e%$s 1hi4h s$ri>e Mr Bis1as as #ossessi%/ a
F#uMMli%/ #rofu%!i$8G& a%! he fi%!s hi"self lis$e%i%/ a/ai%s$ his 1ill a%!
.ei%/ F$ra##e!G .8 her "oo!. She is #rou! of her au$hori$8 a%! her Fol!;
fashio%e!%essG& a%! $he flo//i%/s she has a!"i%is$ere! $o her !au/h$ers
ha5e .e4o"e le/e%!ar8. She 1ill also resor$ $o a .i$i%/ sar4as" 1he%
%e4essar8 a%! Mr Bis1as& o% firs$ "ee$i%/ her& is s$ru4> .8 her 4o""a%!
of E%/lish. (he% Mr Bis1as offe%!s a/ai%s$ $he ,ulsi !e"a%! for $he
su##ressio% of i%!i5i!uali$8 .8 .u8i%/ $he lar/e !ollGs house for Sa5i&
Mrs ,ulsi !e4lares $ha$ she is #oor a%! /i5es $o all .u$ 4a%%o$ F4o"#e$e
1i$h Sa%$a +lausG a%! she as>s Sha"a $o /i5e her %o$i4e .efore "o5i%/
$o Fher "a%sio%G. 'i>e her .ro$her;i%;la1 Se$h& 1ho rules 1i$h her& she is
4a#a.le of sur#risi%/ 4ru!i$8 i% her la%/ua/e as 1he% she $ells Mr Bis1as
$o F/o $o hellG !uri%/ $heir fi%al Auarrel.
,he %o5el sho1s $he !e4li%e of $he ,ulsi fa"il8 1hi4h is 4ause! .8
i%$er%al 1ra%/les a%! $he !isru#$i5e effe4$s of a !iffere%$ 4ul$ure. Mrs
,ulsi is a%2ious for her so%s $o su44ee! a%! se%!s $he" $o a Ro"a%
+a$holi4 4olle/e& $hus 4o"#ro"isi%/ her Hi%!u .eliefs L as Mr Bis1as
is Aui4> $o #oi%$ ou$ 1i$h his i"a/e of her as F$he or$ho!o2 Ro"a%
+a$holi4 Hi%!uG 1ho has sal"o% o%l8 o% 0oo! 9ri!a8. Mrs ,ulsi "o5es
$o Por$ of S#ai% 1he% she feels $ha$ $he F8ou%/er /o!G O1a! shoul! .e
loo>e! af$er !uri%/ his s4hooli%/ follo1i%/ his .ro$herGs "arria/e. -$ is
a$ $his #oi%$ $ha$ $he #o1er s$ru4$ure i% Ha%u"a% House .e/i%s $o .e
$hrea$e%e!& si%4e Se$h& $hou/h he 4a% "ai%$ai% 4o%$rol& fails $o i"#ose
har"o%8. ,he fa"il8 feu! 1i$h Se$h fur$hers $he !e4li%e of $he house;
hol!& a%! 1he% O1a! is se%$ a.roa! $o s$u!8 $o .e4o"e a !o4$or& Mrs
,ulsi a##ears $o lose i%$eres$ i% $he fa"il8 a%! 4eases $o !ire4$ i$ u%$il
she is re5i5e! .8 $he "o5e $o Shor$hills. Here a/ai%& ho1e5er& her i%$er;
es$ soo% la%/uishes& $hou/h she issues so"e !ire4$i5es a.ou$ foo! a%!
#ossi.le e4o%o"ies. (e are $ol! $ha$& af$er $he !ea$h of Mrs ,ulsiGs sis;
$er& Pa!"a& $he F5ir$ueG of $he fa"il8 !issol5es& a%! Mrs ,ulsi assu"es
"ore a%! "ore $he role of a% i%5ali!. She is s$ill a.le $o e2er$ 4o%$rol
o5er her !au/h$ers& a%! o% her "o5e $o $he 4i$8 fro" Shor$hills& su4;
4ee!s i% "a>i%/ $heir li5es a "iser8 as she !e5elo#s her 4o""a%! Fof
i%5e4$i5e a%! o.s4e%i$8G. She is re5i5e! .8 $he re$ur% of O1a!& a%!
e2er$s herself $o #lease hi" 1hile her heal$h i"#ro5es Fs#e4$a4ularl8G

+o""e%$ar8 K <3
u%!er his $rea$"e%$& $hus .e$ra8i%/ her o.5ious h8#o4ho%!ria. Af$er
O1a! is alie%a$e! .8 $he Auarrel 1i$h A%a%! a%! his i%4reasi%/ asso4ia;
$io% 1i$h his o1% frie%!s a%! Doro$h8Gs 4ousi%& she $ries i% 5ai% $o 1i%
hi" .a4> .8 $al>i%/ a.ou$ his .o8hoo! a%! Pu%!i$ ,ulsi a%! her o1% suf;
feri%/sE .u$ i$ is %o1 $oo la$e. She is a 4hara4$er for 1ho" $he rea!er feels
li$$le s8"#a$h8& .u$ she is a sour4e of "u4h hu"our a%! sa$ire i% $he
%o5el& as 1ell as sho1i%/ $he !e4li%e of $ra!i$io%s $hrou/h her failure $o
"ai%$ai% $he". (e also see& $hrou/h her i%5ol5e"e%$ 1i$h Ro"a%
+a$holi4is"& $he !ilu$io% of Hi%!u 4ul$ure a%! reli/ious ri$ual.
Set-
Se$h& $he hus.a%! of Pa!"a& is #rese%$e! as a #o1erful fi/ure i% $he
%o5el 1ho i%$i"i!a$es Mr Bis1as 1i$h his .ull8i%/ "a%%er a%! $he self;
assure! 1a8 i% 1hi4h he flourishes his i5or8 4i/are$$e hol!er $hou/h
!resse! i% "u!!8 .oo$s a%! a s$ai%e! >ha>i $o#ee. He sho1s 4o%$e"#$
for $hose 1ho are %o$ #re#are! $o 1or> o% $he la%! a%! !ir$8 $heir ha%!s&
a%! is %i4>%a"e! $he F.i/ $hu/G .8 Mr Bis1as. He is a s$au%4h su##or$;
er of fa"il8 lo8al$8 i% $he firs$ half of $he %o5el a%! 4o%!u4$s $he fa"il8
$ri.u%als& 1here $he "is!e"ea%ours of Mr Bis1as are 4ri$i4ise! a%!
ri!i4ule!. -$ is Se$h 1ho %a"es hi" F$he #a!!lerG a%! 1ho refers $o $he
house .ei%/ $ur%e! i%$o a re#u.li4 1i$h a Fser#e%$G i% i$s "i!s$. Se$h is
s$ill sho1% as #ossessi%/ so"e /oo! #oi%$sE a$ $i"es he sho1s a .rusAue
>i%!%ess $o Mr Bis1as L a!!ressi%/ hi" as Mohu%& Do>i%/ 1i$h hi" o5er
$he .ir$h of his firs$ 4hil!& a%! res4ui%/ hi" fro" $rou.le 1i$h $he #oli4e
1he% 484li%/ 1i$hou$ a li/h$& $hou/h $his is #ar$l8 $o #ro$e4$ $he fa"il8
%a"e. ,here is a %o$e of a"use! iro%8 i% so"e of his 4o""e%$s $o Mr
Bis1as 1hi4h su//es$s $ha$ he is .o$h #uMMle! a%! a"use! .8 his #er;
sis$e%$ re.ellio%. ,hus he Aues$io%s hi" a.ou$ his F!ear frie%!G& Pa%>aD
Rai& a%! Do>es $ha$ he 1ill %o1 ha5e F+reole 4o%5er$sG as .ro$hers. -%
4o%$ras$ $o $he ra$her %aP5e Mr Bis1as& Se$h a##ears a 1orl!l8 fi/ure
1i$h his #la%s $o Fi%sura%.ur%G a%! his la$er .usi%ess 5e%$ures& a%! he
see"s $o a!o#$ a% a5u%4ular a$$i$u!e $o $he for"er a$ $i"es. Af$er his
.rea>!o1% a$ 0ree% ?ale& Se$h sa8s F- su##ose 1e ha5e $o .ri%/ $he #a!;
!ler ho"eG.
-$ is Se$hGs !isaffe4$io%& 1hi4h .e/i%s o.s4urel8 1i$h a% i%$er%al fa";
il8 Auarrel i%5ol5i%/ She>har& $ha$ "ar>s $he .rea>;u# of $he 4lose fa";
il8 %e$1or>. Se$h .e/i%s $o .e see% as a% ou$si!er& a%! his 4hara4$er is
a!5ersel8 affe4$e!. (e see $his 1he% he 4o"es $o u#roo$ $he rose .ush;
es i% Mrs ,ulsiGs /ar!e% $o "a>e roo" for his lorries. He $ells Mr
Bis1asGs 4hil!re% $ha$ e5er8o%e see"s $o .e !ef8i%/ hi"& a%! ra$her 4ru;
ell8 $ells $he" $ha$ $heir fa$her 1as F#i4>e! u#G .8 hi" 1he% F4a$4hi%/

<< K +o""e%$ar8
fliesG. He is e24lu!e! fro" $he "o5e $o Shor$hills as $he !isa/ree"e%$
.e4o"es o#e% 1ar& a%! s$ar$s $o 4lai" ,ulsi #ro#er$8 as his o1%& e5e%
a$$e"#$i%/ $o es$a.lish a ri5al s$ore. ,he feu! $he% !1i%!les af$er he /e$s
i%5ol5e! i% le/al 4har/es a/ai%s$ hi"& a%! .e4o"es FAuies4e%$G. Our las$
5ie1 of hi" is of a ra$her sa! a%! #a$he$i4 fi/ure& !resse! i%4o%/ruousl8
i% a 4hea# sui$& $r8i%/ i% 5ai% $o effe4$ a re4o%4ilia$io% 1i$h $he fa"il8
$hrou/h O1a! o% $he la$$erGs re$ur%. 'i>e Mr Bis1as& 1e feel s8"#a$h8
for Se$h here& 1i$h $he 4o%$ras$ .e$1ee% his #rese%$ #osi$io% a%! $he o%e
he o44u#ie! #re5iousl8 a$ Ha%u"a% House.
O.a#
O1a!& $he 8ou%/er of $he $1o Fli$$le /o!sG& is %o$e! for his $erri.le $e";
#er as a .o8& a%! he 4o%fro%$s Mr Bis1as !ire4$l8 a%! 1a%$s hi" $o a#ol;
o/ise $o his "o$her for 4alli%/ her %a"es. He a44uses Mr Bis1as of
.ei%/ a +hris$ia% af$er he reDe4$s $he offeri%/ a$ $he "or%i%/ u/a+ He is
also $he 5i4$i" of $he 4o%$e%$s of $he #la$eful of foo! 1hi4h Mr Bis1as
$hro1s fro" $he .al4o%8& a%! ur/es 0o5i%! $o >ill Mr Bis1as !uri%/
$heir $ussle. ,his 4o%fli4$ is la$er for/o$$e% 1he% O1a! a%! Mr Bis1as
for" a frie%!shi# 1hile li5i%/ a$ $he house i% Por$ of S#ai%& .ase! o% a
"u$ual res#e4$ for ea4h o$herGs i%$elle4$ual #ursui$s& a%! Mr Bis1as is
u#se$ a%! e%5ious 1he% O1a! /oes a.roa!. O% $he la$$erGs re$ur%& $here
is a !is$a%4e .e$1ee% $he"& a%! O1a! .e4o"es lar/el8 a 4o"i4 fi/ure
1ho" Nai#aul sa$irises for .oas$i%/ a.ou$ his 4o%$a4$s a%! i"#or$a%4e
a.roa! a%! for his su#erfi4ial a%! shor$;li5e! a!here%4e $o $he Russia%
Re5olu$io%. Bei%/ 5ie1e! as $he %e1 hea! of $he fa"il8& he is lis$e%e!
$o a%! 4o%sul$e! as a% a.solu$e au$hori$8. (e lear% $ha$ .e4ause of
O1a!Gs o.De4$io%s $o $he .eha5iour a%! ha.i$s of -%!ia%s fro" -%!ia&
1ho 1ere Fa !is/ra4eG $o ,ri%i!a! -%!ia%s& i% o%e af$er%oo% F$he fa"il8
re5ere%4e for -%!ia ha! .ee% sha$$ere!G. He e"#hasises #h8si4al
s$re%/$h a%! "a%ual s>ills& a%! e%$er$ai%s $he fa"il8 .8 re4ou%$i%/ his
a!5e%$ures. His alle/ia%4es soo% shif$ $o his o1% frie%!s& $he F%e1 4as$eG
of e!u4a$e! #rofessio%al "e%& a%! his frie%!shi# 1i$h Doro$h8& $he re%e;
/a!e Pres.8$eria% sis$er;i%;la1& lea!s $o his e5e%$ual "arria/e $o
Doro$h8Gs Pres.8$eria% 4ousi%& a% -%!ia% /irl fro" Sou$h ,ri%i!a!. -%
$his 1a8& he refle4$s $he 4ha%/es $ha$ ha5e $a>e% #la4e i% $he so4ie$8 a$
$his #erio!.
S-e/-a
She>har is $he o$her Fli$$le /o!G. He fi/ures li$$le i% $he earlier #ar$ of $he
%o5el& a%!& af$er i%i$ial re.ellious%ess& "arries a Pres.8$eria% /irl 1hose
fa"il8 ha5e su44essful 4o""er4ial 4o%4er%s. He lea5es Ha%u"a%

+o""e%$ar8 K <)
House a%! /oes $o li5e 1i$h his 1ifeGs fa"il8& $hus /oi%/ a/ai%s$ $he
Hi%!u 4us$o" a%! $he fa"il8 $ra!i$io% of .ri%/i%/ $he .ri!e ho"e. He
#ros#ers as a .usi%ess"a%& $hou/h re#u$e!l8 e%58i%/ his .ro$her his $ra5;
el a.roa!& ha5i%/ hi"self 1a%$e! $o /o $o +a".ri!/e. 'i>e O1a!& he
.e4o"es !is$a%$ fro" $he ,ulsis a%! $heir $ra!i$io%s as he a4Auires "ore
so#his$i4a$io%& sho1% .8 his #ar$i%/ /if$s $o his .ro$herH a .o$$le of 1i%e&
A"eri4a% "a/aMi%es& a%! a% E%/lish his$or8 .oo>. He also ru%s 4i%e"as
as #ar$ of his .usi%ess& a%! offe%!s $he 1i!o1s .8 offeri%/ $he" 1or>
$here& a% i%sul$ 1hi4h $he8 re/ar! as $he i%flue%4e of his 1ife& Doro$h8.
She !is#la8s (es$er% i%flue%4esH she 1ears shor$ s>ir$s& 4alls herself
Doro$h8& a%! Fflau%$sG her e!u4a$io%. She also s#ea>s S#a%ish $o her fi5e
!au/h$ers a%! her hus.a%! i% $he #rese%4e of her sis$ers;i%;la1. Bo$h she
a%! She>har are frie%!l8 1i$h Mr Bis1as& a%! la$er 1i$h O1a!& $hou/h
Mr Bis1as 4o"es $o rese%$ $he role of .uffoo% $o 1hi4h $he8 e2#e4$ hi"
$o 4o%for"& a%! feels %er5ous a%! 5ul%era.le 1he% $he #ar$8 of Sou$her%
.usi%ess"e% 1i$h 1ho" She>har is i%5ol5e! issue 5eile! $hrea$s a.ou$
$he 5ia.ili$8 of $he +o""u%i$8 (elfare De#ar$"e%$. Bu$ She>harGs #ar$8
is !efea$e! i% $he 4olo%8Gs firs$ /e%eral ele4$io%& a%! She>har 1i$h!ra1s
fro" #u.li4 life $o 4o%4e%$ra$e o% his 4i%e"as. ,hus& li>e O1a!& he
refle4$s $he !e4li%e of Hi%!u i%flue%4es a%! $he e"#hasis i% $he F%e1G
1orl! o% e!u4a$io% a%! self;a!5a%4e"e%$.
:o1in#
0o5i%!& 1hose 1ife +hi%$a is Sha"aGs 4loses$ sis$er& is use! as a 4o%$ras$
$o Mr Bis1as& #ar$i4ularl8 as re/ar!s $heir s$a$us a%! a$$i$u!es a$
Ha%u"a% House. Mr Bis1as is s$ru4> .8 $he 1a8 0o5i%! 4o%for"s $o
$he ,ulsi $8ra%%8 a%! is !e/ra!e! i% $he #ro4ess. -% $he #rese%4e of Se$h&
he .e4o"es o.seAuious a%! 1ea> i% his a%2ie$8 $o #lease. Mr Bis1as is
#ai%e! .8 $he 4a#i$ula$io% of $his $all a%! ha%!so"e "a% a%! $ries $o s#ur
hi" $o re.ellio%. Ho1e5er& his a.use of $he fa"il8 is re#or$e! .8 0o5i%!
1ho is i%$e%$ o% #ro$e4$i%/ $he fa"il8& as he sho1s a/ai% 1he% he fi/h$s
Mr Bis1as for ha5i%/ i%sul$e! O1a!. ,heir %e2$ 4o%$a4$ is 1he% 0o5i%!
4arries Mr Bis1as i%$o Ha%u"a% House af$er he is .rou/h$ fro" 0ree%
?ale& so #u$$i%/ hi"self Fo% $he si!e of au$hori$8G. He 4learl8 fi%!s se4u;
ri$8 i% Ha%u"a% House 1hi4h raises hi" fro" his for"er #osi$io% as a%
illi$era$e 4o4o%u$;seller.
Af$er lea5i%/ Ha%u"a% House& 0o5i%! a$$e"#$s $o .e4o"e "ore
i%!e#e%!e%$. A$ Shor$hills he sells $rees fro" $he es$a$e& a%! .e4o"es
i%4reasi%/l8 surl8 a%! .a!;$e"#ere!. He .u8s a se4o%!;ha%! 4ar a%!
ru%s i$ as a $a2i i% Por$ of S#ai%. O% $he "o5e $o $he 4i$8& he e2#a%!s his
.usi%ess a%! a4Auires se5eral sui$s 1hi4h .e4o"e #ar$ of $he .a$$le of

<@ K +o""e%$ar8
#ossessio%s i% $he househol!. His ri5alr8 1i$h Mr Bis1as is 4o%$i%ue!
$hrou/h $heir so%s& ?i!ia!har a%! A%a%!& 1ho .o$h s$u!8 for $he e2hi.i;
$io% $o $he 4olle/e. 0o5i%! $he% .e4o"es i%4reasi%/l8 5iole%$ a%!
.eha5es i% a% o!! a%! u%#re!i4$a.le "a%%er& a%! is re/ar!e! as F$he $er;
ror of $he houseG u%$il he $a>es $o .ea$i%/ his 1ife a%! 4o%fi%es his
a//ressio% $o $ha$ ou$le$.
Hai
Hari is a%o$her .ro$her;i%;la1 1hose #osi$io% a$ Ha%u"a% House 4o%;
$ras$s 1i$h $ha$ of Mr Bis1as. He has 1o% for hi"self a !efi%i$e #la4e
of res#e4$ i% $he ,ulsi hierar4h8 a%! is e5e% e24use! fro" la.ouri%/
1or> .e4ause of his re#u$a$io% as a hol8 "a% a%! #u%!i$& as 1ell as
his ill%esses. He is a 4olourless "a% 1ho F... offe%!e! %o o%e a%!
a"use! %o o%eG& $hou/h Mr Bis1as "a>es fu% of hi" as $he F4o%s$i;
#a$e! hol8 "a%G. He $a>es %o #ar$ i% !is#u$es a%! his a##are%$ /oo!;
%ess is a$$ri.u$e! lar/el8 $o Fa %e/a$i5e%ess $ha$ a"ou%$s $o 4hari$8G.
Af$er his !ea$h& 1hi4h e5o>es so"e #a$hos 1he% 1e lear% $hrou/h
A%a%! $ha$ he ha! >%o1% he 1as /oi%/ $o !ie for so"e $i"e& he is
fou%! $o ha5e .ee% i%!is#e%sa.le. He is i%!ire4$l8 res#o%si.le for Mrs
,ulsiGs /ro1i%/ 4o%5ersio% $o Ro"a% +a$holi4is" si%4e she 4a%%o$
fi%! a% a!eAua$e re#la4e"e%$ for Hari a$ $he u/a+ 'i>e 0o5i%!& he
su//es$s $he #ri4e of 4o%for"i$8 $hrou/h $he !ra.%ess of his 4hara4$er&
a%! $hou/h Mr Bis1as o44asio%all8 e%5ies hi" his #osi$io% i% $he
,ulsi househol!& he >%o1s $ha$ he hi"self 4oul! %o$ li5e $he life of a
Fsi4> s4holarG.
W. C. Tuttle
(. +. ,u$$le fu%4$io%s "ai%l8 as a 4o"i4 fi/ure i% $he %o5el. He is %a"e!
.8 Mr Bis1as 1he% he firs$ "ee$s hi" a$ Shor$hills a%! $he8 !e5elo# a
ri5alr8 o5er #ossessio%s& referri%/ $o ea4h o$herGs .oo>s as F$rashG. He is
a "a% 1i$h a 5arie$8 of i%$eres$s a%! alle/ia%4es. He is a s$ri4$ Hi%!u&
#rou! of his Brah"i%i4al s$a$us& .u$ is as i%$eres$e! i% $he "a$erial as $he
s#iri$ual life. A$ Shor$hills he e%/a/es i% a %u".er of .usi%ess 5e%$ures&
1hi4h i%4lu!e s$ar$i%/ a fur%i$ure fa4$or8 a%! a Auarr8. O% $he "o5e $o
$he 4i$8& he $a>es o5er "os$ of Mrs ,ulsiGs house& a%! !o"i%a$es $he
house 1i$h #o#ular (es$er% so%/s o% his /ra"o#ho%e. He is Fall for
"o!er%i$8G a%! sho4>s $he househol! .8 a4Auiri%/ a s$a$ue of a %a>e!
1o"a%. He re/ar!s hi"self as .le%!i%/ $he Brah"i% 4ul$ure 1i$h $he
Ffi%er #ro!u4$sG of (es$er% 4i5ilisa$io%& a%! 5ie1s $he ,ulsis as .ar.ar;
ia%s& a!o#$i%/ $o1ar!s "os$ #eo#le a% a$$i$u!e of sile%$ 4o%$e"#$ 1hi4h
he 4o%5e8s .8 a Aui5eri%/ of his %os$rils. He a##ears $o 1i% !e4isi5el8

+o""e%$ar8 K <=
$he .a$$le of #ossessio%s 1he% he a4Auires his o1% house& a "o5e $o
1hi4h Mr Bis1as rea4$s F.a!l8G& .u$ $he la$$er is 4o"#e%sa$e! 1he% $he
,u$$les 4o"e $o 5isi$ hi" a$ his o1% house i% Si>>i" S$ree$ a%! are 4lear;
l8 i"#resse! .8 $he house& e5e% .ei%/ so"e1ha$ Dealous of i$s a##are%$
siMe a%! 4o"for$.
A;o#-a
ADo!ha is $he hus.a%! of ,ara& a%! u%4le $o Mr Bis1as. He is a "a% of
1eal$h 1ho has free! hi"self fro" $he la%!& a%! 1as o%e of $he firs$ "e%
i% ,ri%i!a! $o .u8 a 4ar. ,he 4hief fas4i%a$io% he has for Mr Bis1as !ur;
i%/ $he la$$erGs 4hil!hoo! is 1he% he as>s Mr Bis1as $o rea! hi" $he
%e1s#a#er 4olu"% e%$i$le! F,ha$ Bo!8 of YoursG& a Do. 1hi4h is la$er
$a>e% o5er .8 A%a%!. He fu%4$io%s la$er as a "o!el of 4o%$e%$"e%$ for
Mr Bis1as& si%4e he #ossesses his o1% house a%! has a% a$$e%$i5e 1ife.
,o $he ,ulsis& ho1e5er& he is a re%e/a!e 1ho has !eser$e! $he Hi%!u
fai$h a%! ali/%e! hi"self 1i$h 1eal$h& 4o"for$ a%! "o!er%i$8. He
.e4o"es i%4reasi%/l8 #reo44u#ie! 1i$h his Auarrels 1i$h his $1o
%e#he1s& Ja/!a$ a%! Ra.i!a$& 1ho li5e 1i$h hi" af$er .ei%/ !eser$e! .8
$heir o1% fa$her. He feels .ou%! $o his %e#he1s si%4e& li>e Mrs ,ulsi& he
fears .ei%/ alo%e i% his ol! a/e& a%! !is$rus$s s$ra%/ers $oo "u4h $o
allo1 $he" $o hel# i% his .usi%ess. ,he "o!el of fa"il8 4o%$e%$"e%$
$hus .e4o"es a% illusio% o% Mr Bis1asGs #ar$& as he re4o/%ises hi"self.
-$ is si/%ifi4a%$ $ha$ he /oes $o ADo!ha $o .orro1 $he "o%e8 for his
house a%! $hus rei%for4es his $ies $o his o1% fa"il8& ra$her $ha% !e#e%!;
i%/ o% $he ,ulsis as .efore.
Taa
,ara is Bi#$iGs "ore #o1erful sis$er. She is re/ar!e! as a #erso% of
s$a%!i%/ $hrou/h her "arria/e $o $he 1eal$h8 ADo!ha. (he% Ra/hu
!ies& she $a>es o5er $he fu%eral arra%/e"e%$s i% a% e%er/e$i4 a%! 4a#a;
.le "a%%er& a%! is s4or%ful of her sis$erGs i/%ora%4e of her hus.a%!Gs
fi%a%4ial affairs. She a!o#$s a "o$herl8 role $o1ar!s Mr Bis1as a%! she
!e4i!es $o ha5e hi" $rai%e! as a #u%!i$. -$ is she $o 1ho" he re$ur%s
la$er 1i$h his 4hil!re% o% a series of re/ular 5isi$s& fro" 1hi4h his 1ife
e24lu!es herself .e4ause of $he ol! a%$a/o%is" .e$1ee% $he $1o fa"i;
lies. ,ara also has s$ro%/ "oral s$a%!ar!sE she refuses $o allo1 Dehu$i
$o .e "e%$io%e! af$er she elo#es 1i$h ,araGs 8ar! .o8& Ra"4ha%!& $hus
!e#ri5i%/ her of $1o fa"il8 ser5a%$s& a%! her .ro$her;i%;la1 Bha%!a$
re4ei5es $he sa"e $rea$"e%$ .e4ause of his !ru%>e%%ess a%! +hi%ese
"is$ress.

<: K +o""e%$ar8
B-an#at
Bha%!a$& $he .ro$her of ADo!ha& is a s8".ol of failure a%! !es$i$u$io%. He
is a s"all "a% 1i$h a 1hi%i%/ 5oi4e a%! irri$a.le "a%%er. He !ri%>s a%!
4hea$s .8 al$eri%/ $he a44ou%$s i% $he ru" sho# 1hi4h he ru%s for his
.ro$her& hel#e! .riefl8 .8 Mr Bis1as. He rea##ears la$er as a !es$i$u$e i%
$he 4i$8& a%! 1ri$es $o Mr Bis1as for hel#. (he% $he la$$er 5isi$s hi"& he
a!o#$s a se%$i"e%$al a%! self;#i$8i%/ "a%%er& as 1ell as #la8i%/ $he
s4hool.o8 #ra%> of #ulli%/ Mr Bis1asGs hair. He is 4learl8 frus$ra$e! a%!
$or"e%$e! a%! a.uses his +hi%ese "is$ress i% Hi%!i. He hi"self is !eaf&
a%! is a fi/ure for 1ho" 1e feel a "i2$ure of 4o%$e"#$ a%! #i$8 i% his
fu$ile a$$e"#$s $o 4o"#ose slo/a%s for a 4o"#e$i$io%& a%! $he sAualor i%
1hi4h he li5es.

Pat )
Hints *o stu#(
A #ouse for $r Bis%as is a lo%/ a%! !e$aile! %o5el a%! so %ee!s 4lose
a%! re#ea$e! s$u!8. -$ is useful& as 8ou rea! $he %o5el& $o >ee# a #e% i%
8our ha%! $o u%!erli%e $hose #assa/es 1hi4h illus$ra$e #ar$i4ular #oi%$s
a.ou$ 4hara4$er a%! $he"es& 1hi4h 8ou 4a% $he% $ra%sfer o% $o se#ara$e
shee$s of %o$es for $he #ur#ose of essa8;1ri$i%/ a%! re5isio% for $he
e2a"i%a$io%. -$ is esse%$ial $ha$ 8ou shoul! .e a.le $o illus$ra$e 8our ar/u;
"e%$ a.ou$ a 4hara4$er or a% i!ea 1i$h rele5a%$ a%! 4arefull8 4hose% Auo;
$a$io%s. Al1a8s rea! $he Aues$io% 4arefull8E i$ 1ill %or"all8 .e a.ou$ o%e
of $he follo1i%/H
(a) $he"es
(b) 4hara4$ers a%! $heir rela$io%shi#s
(c) #ar$i4ular #assa/es& a%! ho1 $he8 rela$e $o $he res$ of $he 1or>.
-% all 4ases $he s$u!e%$ shoul! #a8 4areful a$$e%$io% $o $he 4o%s$ru4$io% of
his essa8& a%! i$ is useful $o "a>e so"e %o$es .efore 8ou .e/i% 1ri$i%/
a.ou$ $he "ai% #oi%$s 8ou 1ill %ee! $o 4o5er. B8 !oi%/ $his 8ou shoul!
a5oi! o"i$$i%/ a 5i$al #oi%$. Your essa8 shoul! .e #rese%$e! i% a% or!er;
l8 1a8& as $he follo1i%/ "o!el su//es$sH
(a) o#e%i%/ #ara/ra#h !is4ussi%/ $he "ea%i%/ a%! i"#li4a$io%s of $he
Aues$io% a%! #ossi.le 1a8s of $rea$i%/ i$
(b) !e5elo#"e%$ of 8our ar/u"e%$ 1i$h rele5a%$ !e$aile! refere%4e $o
$he $e2$
(c) 4o%4lusio% L a #ara/ra#h i% 1hi4h 8ou su""arise $he "ai% #oi%$s
of 8our ar/u"e%$ .riefl8& referri%/ .a4> $o $he Aues$io% as>e!.
,here are also 4o""o% faul$s 1hi4h $he s$u!e%$ shoul! $r8 $o a5oi! 1he%
a%s1eri%/ a Aues$io%H
(a) re;$elli%/ $he #lo$E "a$erial 4hose% "us$ rela$e !ire4$l8 $o $he Aues;
$io% as>e!& a%! %o Aues$io% 1ill e5er !e"a%! a si"#le a44ou%$ of
$he s$or8
(b) $rea$i%/ a Aues$io% a.ou$ $he"e as a 4hara4$er;s$u!8E $hese $1o
ele"e%$s of $he %o5el "a8 .e li%>e! .u$ are s$ill se#ara$e a%!
!is$i%4$

)3 K Hi%$s for s$u!8
(c) "isu%!ers$a%!i%/ or e5a!i%/ $he Aues$io%E Aues$io%s shoul! .e rea!
5er8 4arefull8& si%4e 4areless rea!i%/ of$e% lea!s s$u!e%$s i%$o irrel;
e5a%$ or !is$or$e! a%s1ers. S$u!e%$s shoul! also a5oi! $he 1ri$i%/
ou$ of a F#re#are!G a%s1er.
Spe$i&en 6uestions
(7) ,o 1ha$ e2$e%$ !o 8ou see Mr Bis1as as a heroi4 fi/ureS
() F A #ouse for $r Bis%as is a %o5el a.ou$ $he rela$io%shi# .e$1ee%
fa$her a%! so%G. Ho1 far !o 8ou a/ree 1i$h $his !es4ri#$io%S
(3) -s A #ouse for $r Bis%as a sui$a.le $i$le for $he %o5elS
(<) A%al8se a%! !is4uss $he 4o%fli4$s 1i$hi% $he ,ulsi fa"il8.
()) Sho1 ho1 $he $he"es of re.ellio% a%! free!o" for" a "aDor #ar$
of $he %o5el.
(@) E2a"i%e $he use of 4o%$ras$ i% $he %o5el .8 loo>i%/ a$ a%8 $hree of
$he follo1i%/ 4hara4$ersH ( i) Hari ( ii) 0o5i%! ( iii ) Bi#$i ( iv) Mrs
,ulsi ( v) Se$h.
(=) ,ra4e $he 4ha%/es i% so4ie$8 1hi4h $a>e #la4e i% $he 4ourse of $he
%o5el.
(:) Rea! $he follo1i%/ #assa/e 4arefull8& a%! a%s1er $he Aues$io%s
.elo1H FHe rea! i%%u"era.le %o5els& #ar$i4ularl8 $hose i% $he
Rea!erGs 'i.rar8E a%! he e5e% $rie! $o 1ri$e& e%4oura/e! .8 $he
a##eara%4e i% a Por$ of S#ai% "a/aMi%e of a #uMMli%/ s$or8 .8
Misir. (,his 1as a s$or8 of a s$ar5i%/ "a% 1ho 1as res4ue! .8 a
.e%efa4$or a%! af$er so"e 8ears rose $o 1eal$h. O%e !a8& !ri5i%/
alo%/ $he .ea4h& $he "a% hear! so"eo%e i% $he sea shou$i%/ for
hel#& a%! re4o/%iMe! his for"er .e%efa4$or i% !iffi4ul$iesE he
i%s$a%$l8 !i5e! i%$o $he 1a$er& s$ru4> his hea! o% a su."er/e! ro4>
a%! 1as !ro1%e!. ,he .e%efa4$or sur5i5e!.) Bu$ Mr Bis1as 4oul!
%e5er !e5ise a s$or8& a%! he la4>e! MisirGs $ra/i4 5isio%E 1ha$e5er
his "oo! a%! ho1e5er #ai%ful his su.De4$& he .e4a"e irre5ere%$ a%!
fa4e$ious as soo% as he .e/a% $o 1ri$e& a%! all he 4oul! "a%a/e
1ere !is$or$e! a%! s4urrilous !es4ri#$io%s of Mo$i& Mu%/roo&
See.ara%& Se$h a%! Mrs ,ulsi.G (#. 7:3)
(i) Rela$e $he #assa/e .riefl8 $o i$s 4o%$e2$.
(ii) (ha$ !oes $he #assa/e 4o%$ri.u$e $o $he %o5el i% $er"s of $he"e
a%! 4hara4$er;#or$ra8alS

Hi%$s for s$u!8 K )7
Mo#el ans.es
() F A #ouse for $r Bis%as is a %o5el a.ou$ $he rela$io%shi# .e$1ee%
fa$her a%! so%G. Ho1 far !o 8ou a/ree 1i$h $his !es4ri#$io%S
A%a%! is %o$ .or% u%$il a $hir! of $he 1a8 $hrou/h $he .oo>E a%! i$ is
%o$ u%$il he 1a>es o%e +hris$"as "or%i%/ a$ Ha%u"a% House 1i$h $he
"o"e%$ar8 fear $ha$ $here is %o #rese%$ for hi"& $ha$ he .e4o"es a
4hara4$er 1i$h a "i%! of his o1%. -%i$iall8 Mr Bis1as feels $ha$ A%a%!
.elo%/s 4o"#le$el8 $o $he ,ulsis a%! F1he% he $hou/h$ of his 4hil!re%
... $hou/h$ "ai%l8 of Sa5iG. ,he .o8 see"s $o hi" a !isa##oi%$"e%$
1i$h his frail a%! 5ul%era.le a##eara%4e a%! $he sh8 a%! $o%/ue;$ie!
"a%%er 1hi4h he #ossesses. A%a%! soo% .e/i%s $o asser$ hi"self&
ho1e5er& a%! $he rela$io%shi# 1i$h his fa$her is o%e 1hi4h /ro1s i%
!e#$h a%! u%!ers$a%!i%/ a%! 1hi4h o44u#ies a 4e%$ral #osi$io% i% $he
%o5el af$er $he .e/i%%i%/ of Mr Bis1asGs .rea>!o1% a$ 0ree% ?ale.
,hus A #ouse for $r Bis%as 4a% .e !es4ri.e! as a %o5el a.ou$ $he
fa$her;so% rela$io%shi#& al$hou/h i$ is 4o%4er%e! 1i$h o$her $he"es
also& su4h as Mr Bis1asGs s$ru//le for i%!e#e%!e%4e a%! his sear4h for
i!e%$i$8.
,he rela$io%shi# .e$1ee% fa$her a%! so% is i%$e%sifie! .8 $he "a%8
$rai$s $he8 ha5e i% 4o""o%. Mr Bis1as shares his !is4o5er8 of Di4>e%sGs
%o5els 1i$h A%a%! a%! "a>es hi" 1ri$e ou$ a%! lear% $he "ea%i%/s of
!iffi4ul$ 1or!s. (e are $ol! $ha$ he !oes $his %o$ ou$ of s$ri4$%ess or Fas
#ar$ of A%a%!Gs $rai%i%/G .u$ .e4ause he !oes %o$ 1ish his so% $o .e li>e
hi". His !esires for his so% 4e%$re o% $he i!ea $ha$ he shoul! re4ei5e a
/oo! e!u4a$io% a%! so .e a.le $o ear% his li5i%/ .8 follo1i%/ a #rofes;
sio% 1hi4h !oes %o$ i%5ol5e hu"ilia$io% a%! !e#e%!e%4e. He $a>es a
4lose i%$eres$ i% his so%Gs e!u4a$io%& 4ri$i4isi%/ his $e2$;.oo>s& #a8i%/ for
#ri5a$e lesso%s& a%! for $he !ie$ of "il> a%! #ru%es so 5alue! .8 Mrs
,ulsi. He e5e% hel#s hi" $o 1ri$e a% essa8 1hi4h he uses i% $he e2hi.i;
$io% e2a"i%a$io%.
A%a%! see"s $o a44e#$ his fa$herGs i%$eres$ a%! /ui!a%4e& al$hou/h
rese%$i%/ i$ a$ $i"es as& for i%s$a%4e& 1he% ela.ora$e #re#ara$io%s are
"a!e for $he e2a"i%a$io% a%! he has $o $a>e his fa$herGs 1ris$;1a$4h
a%! #e% i% 4ase his o1% !o %o$ 1or>. He u%!ers$a%!s his fa$herGs a".i;
$io%s for hi" si%4e& as Nai#aul $ells us i% a re5eali%/ 4o""e%$H F9a$her
a%! so%& ea4h sa1 $he o$her as 1ea> a%! 5ul%era.le& a%! ea4h fel$ a
res#o%si.ili$8 for $he o$her& a res#o%si.ili$8 1hi4h& i% $i"es of #ar$i4u;
lar #ai%& 1as !is/uise! .8 e2a//era$e! au$hori$8 o% $he o%e si!e& e2a/;
/era$e! res#e4$ o% $he o$herG. ,his #ro$e4$i5e%ess is #erha#s $he !o"i;
%a%$ %o$e of $heir rela$io%shi#. -$ is see% 1he% Mr Bis1as $ells A%a%!

) K Hi%$s for s$u!8
a.ou$ his !is/ra4e a$ Pu%!i$ Jaira"Gs i% or!er $o 4o"for$ his so% 1he% he
1as i% $rou.le for soili%/ his $rousers a$ s4hoolE a%! a/ai%& o% A%a%!Gs
si!e& 1he% he asser$s $ha$ he 1ill s$a8 a$ 0ree% ?ale 1i$h his fa$her
.e4ause F$he8 1as /oi%/ $o lea5e 8ou alo%eG. He .e/i%s $o $a>e a 4lose
i%$eres$ i% his fa$herE $his is sho1% i% a "i%or i%4i!e%$ 1hi4h a/ai% !ra1s
#arallels .e$1ee% $he". A%a%! o.De4$s $o $he rus$8 shee$s of 4orru/a$e!
iro% 1hi4h Mr Bis1as i%$e%!s $o use o% his house a$ 0ree% ?ale .u$
!es#i$e his o.De4$io%s Mr Bis1as is fir" i% his !e4isio% $o use i$ .e4ause
i$ is 4hea#& a%! A%a%! sa8sH
FAll ri/h$ /o ahea! a%! .u8 i$ a%! #u$ i$ o% 8our ol! house. - !o%G$ 4are
1ha$ i$ loo> li>e %o1G.
FA%o$her li$$le #a!!lerG& Se$h sai!.
Bu$ Mr Bis1as fel$ as A%a%!. He $oo !i!%G$ 4are 1ha$ $he house
loo>e! li>e %o1G.
A#ar$ fro" $he e5i!e%4e here of share! feeli%/ .e$1ee% fa$her a%! so%&
Se$hGs 4o""e%$ o% A%a%! is of i%$eres$ si%4e he !oes sho1 $rai$s of i%!e;
#e%!e%4e 1hi4h arise #ar$l8 fro" his Fsa$iri4al se%seG 1hi4h .e/a% as
Fo%l8 a #ose& a%! i"i$a$io% of his fa$herG .u$ $he% !e5elo#e! i%$o a% a$$i;
$u!e of 4o%$e"#$ 1hi4h le! F$o i%a!eAua4ies& $o self;a1are%ess a%! a las$;
i%/ lo%eli%ess. Bu$ i$ "a!e hi" u%assaila.le.G ,his !es4ri#$io% refers $o
A%a%! as a% a!ul$ ra$her $ha% a 4hil!& a%! has a% au$o.io/ra#hi4al ele;
"e%$. 'a%!e/ (hi$e !ra1s 4o%5i%4i%/ #arallels .e$1ee% A%a%! a%!
Nai#aul. He o.ser5es $ha$ FA%a%!Gs !is4o5er8 of his fa$her is Nai#aulGs
o1% !is4o5er8 of See#ersa! Nai#aulG.I ,his ele"e%$ /i5es $he %o5el
a%o$her !i"e%sio% a%! "a>es Nai#aulGs !e$a4h"e%$ a%! o.De4$i5i$8 i%
!es4ri.i%/ $his rela$io%shi# all $he "ore i"#ressi5e.
,he 4lose%ess .e$1ee% fa$her a%! so% is re5eale! i% se5eral e#iso!es.
A s$ri>i%/ e2a"#le o44urs af$er A%a%! %earl8 !ro1%s a$ $he !o4>si!e
1here Mr Bis1as 1as 4lo1%i%/ 1i$h O1a! a%! She>har a%! $r8i%/ $o /e$
his so% $o Doi% i%. A%a%! is i%4e%se! a%! hu"ilia$e!& a%!& as 1i$h his
fa$herGs #rose #oe" a.ou$ his "o$her& uses 1ri$i%/ $o e2or4ise so"e of
$hese e"o$io%s. ,he essa8 is !ra"a$i4 a%! !ee#l8 fel$ a%! 1i%s a hi/h
"ar>& $hou/h i$ !oes %o$ 4o%for" $o $he $ea4herGs #la%. Mr Bis1as rea!s
i$ Fa%2ious $o share $he #ai% of $he #re5ious !a8G. He is a%2ious $o .e
4lose $o his so% a/ai% $o "a>e u# for F$he soli$u!e of $he #re5ious !a8G
1he% A%a%! ha! a5oi!e! hi"& a%! $ells A%a%! $o /o $hrou/h $he essa8
1i$h hi". A%a%! refuses& a%! a ro1 e%sues u%$il A%a%! re$alia$es .8
#ulli%/ his fa$herGs 4hair fro" u%!er hi" a$ $he !i%%er $a.le& $hus i%fli4$;
i%/ eAual hu"ilia$io%.
A%a%! is also 4o%4er%e! a.ou$ his fa$herGs s$a$us& !es#i$e his 4lai"
I0+ S+ 1aiaul, a Critical 'ntroduction & 7*=)& #. *<.

Hi%$s for s$u!8 K )3
$ha$ he !oes %o$ 1a%$ $o .e li>e hi". He is reassure! 1he% his fa$her $ells
hi" $ha$ his s4hoolfrie%!Gs fa$her is %o$ his .oss a$ $he Sentinel & %or is he
$rea$e! li>e a% offi4e .o8. (e see here $he $ra!i$io%al i!ea of a so% !efi%;
i%/ his i!e%$i$8 a/ai%s$ $ha$ of his fa$her& .u$ $here is also $he fear $ha$ his
fa$her is .ei%/ .a!l8 $rea$e!. ,he8 are 4o%4er%e! a.ou$ ea4h o$herGs su4;
4esses a%! failures. (he% A%a%! is !eDe4$e! af$er $he e2a"i%a$io%& $hi%>;
i%/ he has faile!& Mr Bis1as $ries $o 4heer hi" u# .8 sa8i%/ $ha$ FNo $rue
effor$ is e5er 1as$e!G& $o 1hi4h his so% re#lies "oo!il8 F(ha$ a.ou$
8ouSG a%! $hou/h $he8 slee# o% $he sa"e .e! F%ei$her s#o>e $o $he o$her
for $he res$ of $he e5e%i%/G. Mr Bis1as is $he% 4heere! .8 re4ei5i%/ a le$;
$er i%5i$i%/ hi" $o Doi% a li$erar8 /rou#& a%! he re#ea$s his a!a/e a.ou$
$he 5alue of $rue effor$. A%a%!& ho1e5er& re4o/%ises $he e2$ra5a/a%4e of
his fa$herGs ela$io% F.u$ he 1as i% %o "oo! $o /i5e 4o"for$& $o asso4ia$e
hi"self 1i$h 1ea>%essG a%! Fhe ha%!e! .a4> $he le$$er $o Mr Bis1as
1i$hou$ a 1or!G.
-% $he fi%al se4$io% of $he %o5el& 1here Mr Bis1as is !is"isse! fro"
$he Sentinel & 1e are $ol! $ha$ he F%ee!e! his so%Gs i%$eres$ a%! a%/erG
si%4e F-% all $he 1orl! $here 1as %o o%e else $o 1ho" he 4oul! 4o";
#lai%G. Al$hou/h he ha! earlier re#lie! $o his so%Gs /loo"8& self;#i$8i%/
le$$ers 1i$h lo%/ hu"orous o%es& he %o1 for/e$s A%a%!Gs o1% #ai% a%!
se%!s hi" Fa h8s$eri4al& 4o"#lai%i%/& !es#airi%/ le$$erG 1hi4h eli4i$s
o%l8 a .rief re#l8. A%a%! $he% /oes .a4> o% his #ro"ise $o re$ur% ho"e&
a%! is s$ill i% E%/la%! 1he% his fa$her !ies. ,his refusal $o re$ur% 4a% .e
i%$er#re$e! as A%a%!Gs relu4$a%4e $o asso4ia$e hi"self 1i$h #ai% a%!
1ea>%ess. A #assa/e 1hi4h o44urs shor$l8 .efore $he E#ilo/ue $ells us&
ho1e5er& $ha$ A%a%! is %o$ u%$ou4he! .8 "e"ories of his ho"e a%!
fa"il8. ,here is a !e$aile! 4a$alo/ue of "e"ories 1hi4h is see% $hrou/h
A%a%!Gs e8es a%! refers $o Fa $i"e of %e1 se#ara$io%s a%! 8ear%i%/s& i%
a li.rar8 /ro1% su!!e%l8 !ar>G 1he% a% asso4ia$io% 1ill $ri//er off
$hou/h$s of F$he ho$ %ois8 1ee> .efore +hris$"as i% $he ,ulsi S$oreG.
,his e2#erie%4e $a>es #la4e i% a F%or$her% la%!G& #resu"a.l8 E%/la%!&
a%! Nai#aul $he% 4o%4lu!es $he #assa/eH FSo la$er& a%! 5er8 slo1l8& i%
se4urer $i"es of !iffere%$ s$resses& 1he% $he "e"ories ha! los$ $he
#o1er $o hur$& 1i$h #ai% or Do8& $he8 1oul! fall i%$o #la4e a%! /i5e .a4>
$he #as$G.
-$ is 4lear $ha$ A #ouse for $r Bis%as is& $o a lar/e e2$e%$& a %o5el a.ou$
$he rela$io%shi# .e$1ee% fa$her a%! so%& a%! $he /ro1i%/ 4lose%ess a%!
i!e%$ifi4a$io% .e$1ee% $he" a!!s /rea$l8 $o $he ri4h%ess a%! #s84holo/i;
4al realis" of $he %o5el.

)< K Hi%$s for s$u!8
(:) -ead the follo%ing assage carefully, and ans%er the 5uestions
belo%: FHe rea! i%%u"era.le %o5els& #ar$i4ularl8 $hose i% $he Rea!erGs
'i.rar8E a%! he e5e% $rie! $o 1ri$e& e%4oura/e! .8 $he a##eara%4e i% a
Por$ of S#ai% "a/aMi%e of a #uMMli%/ s$or8 .8 Misir. (,his 1as a s$or8 of
a s$ar5i%/ "a% 1ho 1as res4ue! .8 a .e%efa4$or a%! af$er so"e 8ears
rose $o 1eal$h. O%e !a8& !ri5i%/ alo%/ $he .ea4h& $he "a% hear! so"eo%e
i% $he sea shou$i%/ for hel#& a%! re4o/%iMe! his for"er .e%efa4$or i% !if;
fi4ul$iesE he i%s$a%$l8 !i5e! i%$o $he 1a$er& s$ru4> his hea! o% a su.;
"er/e! ro4> a%! 1as !ro1%e!. ,he .e%efa4$or sur5i5e!.) Bu$ Mr Bis1as
4oul! %e5er !e5ise a s$or8& a%! he la4>e! MisirGs $ra/i4 5isio%E 1ha$e5er
his "oo! a%! ho1e5er #ai%ful his su.De4$& he .e4a"e irre5ere%$ a%! fa4e;
$ious as soo% as he .e/a% $o 1ri$e& a%! all he 4oul! "a%a/e 1ere !is$or$;
e! a%! s4urrilous !es4ri#$io%s of Mo$i& Mu%/roo& See.ara%& Se$h a%! Mrs
,ulsiG.
(i) Rela$e $he #assa/e .riefl8 $o i$s 4o%$e2$.
(ii) (ha$ !oes $he #assa/e 4o%$ri.u$e $o $he %o5el i% $er"s of $he"e a%!
4hara4$er;#or$ra8alS
(i) ,he Auo$e! #assa/e o44urs $o1ar!s $he e%! of Mr Bis1asGs s$a8 a$ ,he
+hase& 1he% Nai#aul is su""arisi%/ $he effe4$ o% Mr Bis1as of $he si2
8ears of F.ore!o" a%! fu$ili$8G 1hi4h he has e2#erie%4e! $here. Shor$l8
af$er $his su""ar8 of his 4rea$i5e ou$le$s& 1e lear% $ha$ Sha"a has
.e4o"e #re/%a%$ for $he $hir! $i"e a%! re$ires as usual $o Ha%u"a%
House. Mr Bis1as feels a 4ha%/e i% his a$$i$u!e $o $he ,ulsi es$a.lish"e%$
as i$ 4o"es $o re#rese%$ a refu/e for hi"& a #la4e of or!er 1here he has
a% a44e#$e! #osi$io% a%! role. Al$hou/h he is 1ar8 of Sha"aGs effor$s $o
#ersua!e hi" $o re$ur% $here $oo& he e5e%$uall8 su44u".s $o her #ressure
a%! /la!l8 lea5es $he !ar> a%! !us$8 sho#. He is re4ei5e! .a4> .8 $he
,ulsis a%! /i5e% 1or> a$ 0ree% ?ale.
(ii) ,he #assa/e 4e%$res o% Mr Bis1asGs a$$e"#$s $o e2#ress hi"self 4re;
a$i5el8 a%! so es4a#e fro" $he li"i$a$io%s of his e%5iro%"e%$ a%! si$ua;
$io%. He has $rie! #ai%$i%/ also a%! has #ro!u4e! F4ool& or!ere! fores$
s4e%esG 1hi4h are far re"o5e! fro" $he ro$$i%/& "osAui$o;i%fes$e! Du%/le
1hi4h he 4a% fi%! 1i$hi% a% hourGs 1al>. ,he e5i!e%$ frus$ra$io% he is
feeli%/ is $hus e2#resse!& a%! $his is also sho1% .8 $he sha#e his 1ri$i%/
$a>es 1i$h $he refere%4e $o F!is$or$e! a%! s4urrilous !es4ri#$io%sG of #eo;
#le 1ho he feels ha5e .ee% a/ai%s$ hi".
Mu%/roo is a "a% fro" $he 5illa/e& $he lea!er of $he 5illa/e s$i4>;
fi/h$ers& 1ho o1es 4re!i$ a$ $he sho#& a%! Mr Bis1as is #ersua!e! .8
Mo$i $o sue hi" for o1i%/ "o%e8& $hrou/h $he offi4es of $he 4orru#$
la18er& See.ara%. Mo$i e2#loi$s Mr Bis1asGs fears of .ei%/ $a>e%

Hi%$s for s$u!8 K ))
a!5a%$a/e of& a%! of .e4o"i%/ .a%>ru#$ a%! !es$i$u$e li>e $he hero of
o%e of MisirGs s$ories. -$ e"er/es& ho1e5er& $ha$ %o%e of $he 4re!i$ %o$es
1hi4h Mr Bis1as #ossesses ha5e .ee% si/%e!& si%4e Mr Bis1as $hou/h$
i$ F!is4our$eousG $o !e"a%! a si/%a$ure. He has $o #a8 Mo$i fi5e !ollars
i%i$iall8& 1hi4h 4auses a Auarrel 1i$h Sha"a a%! her re$ur% $o $he F"o%;
>e8 houseG& a%! $he% fi%!s hi"self 4har/e! for !efa"i%/ Mu%/rooGs re#;
u$a$io% for 1hi4h he ha! $o #a8 a hu%!re! !ollars. ,his su" is .orro1e!
fro" Misir& 1ho& .esi!es .ei%/ a 1ri$er& has se$ hi"self u# as a usurer
1i$h a 4a#i$al of $1o hu%!re! !ollars. ,his far4i4al $rai% of e5e%$s is #re8;
i%/ o% Mr Bis1asGs "i%! a$ $he $i"e $he #assa/e is 1ri$$e%& a%! so his
%ee! $o e2$er%alise his a%/er a%! se%se of i%Dus$i4e .8 1ri$i%/ is refle4$;
e! $here. Se$h a%! Mrs ,ulsi are fa"iliar $ar/e$s i% $heir a$$e"#$s $o i%$er;
fere 1i$h $he au$o%o"8 of Mr Bis1as a%! his %ee! $o feel $ha$ his 1ife
a%! 4hil!re% .elo%/ $o hi" ra$her $ha% $o $he ,ulsis.
,he #assa/e also hi/hli/h$s o$her fa4e$s of Mr Bis1asGs 4hara4$er&
#ar$i4ularl8 his se%se of a.sur!i$8 a%! his $ale%$ for irre5ere%$ a%! fa4e;
$ious 1ri$i%/& 1hi4h /ai%s a fuller ou$le$ i% his Do. a$ $he Sentinel u%!er
Mr Bur%e$$. Mr Bis1as 4a% %e5er $a>e hi"self $oo seriousl8 for lo%/E
hu"our a%! 4ari4a$ure are his 1ea#o%s a/ai%s$ $he o##ressio% he
e%4ou%$ers a%! 1hi4h $he ,ulsis #erso%if8. (e see $his i% $he %a"es he
has i%5e%$e! for $he" li>e F$he ol! he%G a%! F$he li$$le /o!sG& or his la$er
i"a/e of Mrs ,ulsi 1he% she o.De4$s $o A%a%! re#ea$i%/ h8"%s he has
lear%$ a$ Su%!a8 s4hool& as a FRo"a% 4a$G. He sa8s 4o"i4all8 $o
Sha"aH F- $hou/h$ a /oo! +hris$ia% h8"% 1oul! re"i%! her of ha##8
4hil!hoo! !a8s as a .a.8 Ro"a% >i$$e%G. A si"ilar #oi%$ is "a!e 1he%
Mr Bis1as 4o"#ares hi"self 1i$h $he hol8 #u%!i$& Hari& 1ho has a
res#e4$e! #osi$io% 1i$hi% $he ,ulsi househol!. He >%o1s $ha$ he 4oul!
%e5er sus$ai% su4h a role& Dus$ as he 4a%%o$ share MisirGs $ra/i4 5isio%.
He o.ser5es $ha$ he 1oul! i%e5i$a.l8 .e !is4o5ere! Fi% !ho$i& $o#;>%o$&
sa4re! $hrea! a%! 4as$e;"ar>s& rea!i%/ T,he Ma%2"a%U a%! T,he
A$o"U.G
He fi%!s MisirGs ra$her "a4.re a%! iro%i4 s$or8 F#uMMli%/G. -$ 1oul!
see" $ha$ su4h a% ar.i$rar8 a%! !e#ressi%/ 5ie1 of life& as e2#resse!
.8 $he s$or8& is forei/% $o Mr Bis1asGs $e"#era"e%$. He is "ore o#$i;
"is$i4 a%! re"ai%s 4o%5i%4e!& e5e% af$er $he #erio! a$ ,he +hase& $ha$
Fso"e %o.ler #ur#ose a1ai$e! hi"G. ,he #erio! a$ ,he +hase&
al$hou/h i$ has i%5ol5e! $he a4Auisi$io% of fur%i$ure a%! o$her s8".ols
of #er"a%e%4e& has al1a8s see"e! $o hi" $e"#orar8 a%! ra$her u%re;
al& as $hou/h i$ is s$ill a F#re#ara$io%G for life. He feels $ha$ he !oes %o$
loo> li>e a sho#>ee#er& a%! his $rue i!e%$i$8 s$ill elu!es hi". ,his
sear4h for i!e%$i$8& 1hi4h is a 4e%$ral $he"e i% $he %o5el& is sho1% i%
his 5arious a4$s of re.ellio%& i%4lu!i%/ $he o%e i""e!ia$el8 af$er $he

)@ K Hi%$s for s$u!8
#assa/e Auo$e!& 1he% he !e5o$es hi"self $o 5arious a.sur!i$ies su4h
as /ro1i%/ his %ails $o a% e2$re"e le%/$h& or !a..i%/ 4oloure! oi%$;
"e%$s o% his fa4e. ,hese /es$ures of %o%;4o%for"i$8 su//es$ $he i%%er
!is$ress 1hi4h 1ill eru#$ "ore for4i.l8 i% $he .rea>!o1% a$ 0ree%
?ale& .u$ also #i%#oi%$& li>e $he s4urrilous s$ories& $he frus$ra$io% $ha$
Mr Bis1as is feeli%/ L la$er e#i$o"ise! i% his 4o%s$a%$ "ur"urs of
F$ra#G a$ 0ree% ?ale.
,he #assa/e Auo$e! $hus #oi%$s $o a %u".er of $he"es i% $he %o5el&
4hiefl8 $he sear4h for i!e%$i$8 1i$h 1hi4h Mr Bis1as is #reo44u#ie!& a%!
$he 1a8 i% 1hi4h he fi%!s relief a%! refu/e i% sa$ire. -$ also refle4$s $rai$s
of 4hara4$er i% Mr Bis1asGs rea4$io%s $o MisirGs s$or8& a%! his i%a.ili$8 $o
5ie1 life i% a $ra/i4 1a8. (e are also $ol! $ha$ he 4oul! %e5er !e5ise a
s$or8& a%! $his is sho1% i% $he %o5el .8 his failure $o 1ri$e "ore $ha% a
fe1 li%es of his FEs4a#eG s$ories e24e#$ o% a fe1 rare o44asio%s. He !oes
4o"#ose $he #rose #oe" $o his "o$her& a%! $he lo%/ le$$er $o $he !o4$or
1hi4h !e5elo#e! i%$o a F.roa! #hiloso#hi4al essa8 o% $he %a$ure of "a%G&
.u$ his i"a/i%a$i5e 1ri$i%/s re"ai%e! 4o%fi%e! .8 his e2#erie%4e a%! are
#ri%4i#all8 a real" of fa%$as8 $o 1hi4h he 4a% es4a#e. He 4o%$i%ues $o
fi%! 4o"for$ a%! 4o%sola$io% i% rea!i%/& %o$a.l8 i% !is4o5eri%/ $he
F/ro$esAuesG of Di4>e%s 1hi4h he 4a% i!e%$if8 i% $he #eo#le arou%! hi"
!uri%/ his la$$er #erio! a$ $he Sentinel & a !is4o5er8 1hi4h he is a.le $o
share 1i$h his so%. His /if$ for 1i$ a%! i%5e4$i5e is 4er$ai%l8 su//es$e!&
a%! !is#la8e! i% a 5i5i! 1a8 else1here i% $he %o5el 1i$h i$s su.$le .le%!
of hu"our a%! #a$hos 1i$hou$ $he .lea>%ess 4o%$ai%e! i% $he s$or8 .8
Misir.

Pat +
Su,,estions *o
*ut-e ea#in,
T-e te2t
& . .H A #ouse for $r Bis%as & Deu$s4h& 'o%!o%& 7*@7E $he
NA-PAU' ? S
#a#er.a4> e!i$io% #u.lishe! .8 Pe%/ui% Boo>s& Har"o%!s1or$h&
7*@7& is $he e!i$io% referre! $o i% $hese No$es.
Ot-e .o/s 0( V. S. Naipaul
&he $iddle Passage & Deu$s4h& 'o%!o%& 7*@E Pe%/ui% Boo>s&
Har"o%!s1or$h& 7*@*& a%! An Area of !ar"ness & Deu$s4h& 'o%!o%&
7*@<E Pe%/ui% Boo>s& Har"o%!s1or$h& 7*@:& are #ar$i4ularl8 useful. -$
is o.5iousl8 5alua.le for s$u!e%$s $o rea! o$her 1or>s .8 ?. S. Nai#aul&
#ar$i4ularl8 $hose 1hi4h are se$ i% ,ri%i!a!. All of ?. S. Nai#aulGs 1or>s
(see Par$ 7 of $hese No$es)& e24e#$ his "os$ re4e%$ .oo> of essa8s &he
-eturn of Eva Peron & Deu$s4h& 'o%!o%& 7*:3& are a5aila.le i% Pe%/ui%
#a#er.a4> e!i$io%s.
Citi$al $o&&entaies
& . . ( .)H Critical Persectives on 0+ S+ 1aiaul & Hei%e"a%%&
HAMNER R D ED
'o%!o%& 7*@=. ,his 4o%$ai%s a 5arie$8 of essa8s a%! i%$er5ie1s 1i$h
Nai#aulE $he $1o essa8s .8 0. Rohlehr a%! o%e .8 M. (ar%er;'e1is
are of #ar$i4ular i%$eres$.
& .H An 'ntroduction to the Study of .est 'ndian Literature &
RAM+HAND K
Nelso%& 'o%!o%& 7*=@. ,his 4o%$ai%s so"e #er4e#$i5e 4o""e%$s o%
$he rela$io%shi# .e$1ee% Mr Bis1as a%! A%a%!.
& .H 0+ S+ 1aiaul, An 'ntroduction to his .or" & Deu$s4h&
,HEROUN P
'o%!o%& 7*=.
& .H 0+ S+ 1aiaul & Oli5er a%! Bo8!& 'o%!o%& 7*=3. ,his 4o%$ai%s
(A'SH (
so"e i%$eres$i%/ 4o""e%$s o% $he %o5el.
& H 0+ S+ 1aiaul: A Critical 'ntroduction & Ma4"illa%&
(H-,E 'ANDE0
'o%!o%& 7*=).

): K Su//es$io%s for fur$her rea!i%/
Cultual an# so$ial 0a$/,oun#
& . . a%! & .H A Short #istory of the .est 'ndies &
PARRY J H SHER'O+K P
Ma4"illa%& 'o%!o%& 7*)@. ,his #ro5i!es a useful& .asi4 i%$ro!u4$io% $o
$he (es$ -%!ies i% a his$ori4al 4o%$e2$.
& . .H &he $a"ing of the .est 'ndies & 'o%/"a%& 'o%!o%& 7*@3.
AU0-ER 9 R
,his also #ro5i!es so4ial a%! e4o%o"i4 .a4>/rou%! i%for"a$io%.

T-e aut-o o* t-ese notes
R /ra!ua$e! fro" $he U%i5ersi$8 of Durha" a%! le4$ures i%
OSEMARY P-,,
E%/lish 'a%/ua/e a%! 'i$era$ure a$ +i$8 a%! Eas$ 'o%!o% +olle/e. She
has a s#e4ial i%$eres$ i% (es$ -%!ia% li$era$ure& a%! has also #u.lishe!
ar$i4les o% Jose#h +o%ra! a%! ?ir/i%ia (oolf.

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YORK NOTES

General Editors: Professor A.N. Jeffares ( University

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