CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

‘Crime and Punishment’ by R K Narayan is a fine presentation of today’s troubled teacher student
relationship. The story throws light on the attitude of the parents in shaping a child as well.

Teacher’s crime
The teacher asked the question several times, but the child gave the wrong answer repeatedly. Clearly, the
child was doing it on purpose to fool the teacher. It was too much for the teacher, and having lost his
patience he slapped on his cheek. Quickly he regained control and realized the trouble, but the child started
crying. He threatened him to report the matter with his parents.

Parents’ attitude
The parents considered him a little angel without wings. They gave him abundant affection and ample
money. A nursery was set up near the house with necessary furniture and sweets in the cupboard. He went
around the garden in a pedal motor car. The parents believed that any suppression of his feelings would
prevent his development as a healthy citizen. Every day before the class the parents gave the teacher a set of
instructions regarding child psychology. However, he knew that without using cane at times he would not
become a normal citizen.

The punishment
The child now commanded him to stop the lesson for the day. The teacher had no other option but to obey
the child. He wanted to play the engine and the teacher would be the station master. Even though the teacher
was unwilling, the boy’s blackmailing made him do whatever he demanded. When the engine stopped he
asked him to repair it. But the teacher was absolutely non-mechanical and could not even turn a screw of it.
Now he demanded the teacher to tell stories. When he finished he wanted him to repeat. Already exhausted
by taking class for long he refused it. Now the child ran out to report the incident to the parents. He ran after
the child around the garden and at last collapsed on the portico step.

The excuse
Meanwhile the parents emerged from the house. The teacher now regained strength to tell the truth openly.
But when the father asked about the boy’s performance in Maths, his face fell. He hid himself behind his
parents and begged the teacher not to betray him. The teacher now came to his rescue. He said he was alright
and would catch up. He also presented his excuse that they were just playing in order to keep up the spirit of
the boy.