The Gold Watch

Mulk Raj Anand (1905-2004) is one of the most outstanding story teller, by virtue of his sumptuousness and variety
of theme and moods, tone and technique which characterises his short stories. He has so far provided more than half
a dozen collection of short stories. The range and variety of Dr. Anand's short stories are evinced not only in mood,
tone and spirit, but also in locale, characters and form. The setting ranges from the Punjab to Uttar Pradesh and
Kashmir; and both the village and the city get almost equal representation. The men, women and children that move
through these narratives come from different strata of society. With all his limitations, Anand's contribution to the
Indian short story is truly impressive. He His stories are a museum of human nature and have a wide range and
ample variety of mood and tone. Among the Indian writers of the short story in English, he has few peers. 

The Gold Watch is a revealing comment on race relations. The dominant impression produced by the story is that of
social criticism which remains subordinated to the pathos of the situation of the protagonist. Sharma, a poor clerk, is
dismissed from his office before the time of his retirement, which was five years later. His European boss, Mr. Acton,
believes that ‘a gold watch’ can compensate his remaining working period. Anand wants to show how the authorities
failed to look deeper into the issue and understand that the job was extremely important to Sharma to support his
family. The story seems to be a simple incident in the life of a working class Indian in colonial India. But, at an
ulterior level, it reveals the oppression faced by the Indians at the hands of the Europeans. Anand brings out
minutely all the emotions of the protagonist Srijut Sharma. The anticipations of Sharma because of the suspense
created by his General Manager about ‘something’ the Sahib has brought for him from London is coloured with slight
fear of losing his job. We also see Sharma’s failed attempt to conceal his panic and confusion from his family. His
wife smells of the adverse situation, though Sharma manages not to reveal it to her before he gets it confirmed on
the coming Monday. He just tells them about the gold watch, hearing of which, his son insists on taking his silver
watch. Sharma agrees after some hesitation. The scene set in the Sahib’s office when Sharma has been called to
receive the watch is full of pathos. The reader, too, feels the pain of Sharma. The speechlessness, the hidden
frustration and bitterness in Sharma’s character is totally justified. The fake concerns of his colleagues, their interest
in the gold watch and their inability to understand Sharma’ grief, further add to the pity, but we also see Mr. Banaji,
a considerate fellow-worker, signaling the others to move away and let Sharma go peacefully. Finally, when Sharma
is on his way to home, he finds out that the gold watch ticks only when shaken: some part of it had broken when
Sharma had accidently dropped it on Mr. Acton’s table.