Vendor of Sweets

Chapter 2
 Chapter two of “Vendor of Sweets” starts with Jagan walking back home from his
sweet shop.

 He passes by the Krishna dispensary and observes that the doctor is still busy with a
patient.

 The lights at the Truth Printing shop are on, though the shop is closed. He resists the
temptation to stop by Truth Printing to chat with Nataraj and walks on home
 While walking, his thoughts flit through various things. He thinks about “problems of
national improvement,” for instance, the benefits of using plates instead of leaves to
dine.

 He passes by the statue of Lawley and stops to look at his son Mali, who is standing
on the “other side of the statue” with a group of students. He spots Mali and walks
away soon after so as not to “embarrass the boy.”

 Thoughts of his son occupy his mind for the remaining part of the walk to his house.
When he gets home, he stops for a moment at the backyard to admire the stars in the
sky before proceeding to the bathroom.
 The bathroom is described as “a shack, with a roof made out of corrugated
sheets, and a door consisting of beaten-out tin fixed anyhow on a wooden
frame.” The text states that “everything in the home has the sanctity of usage so
that any improvement is not possible.”

 The rest of the chapter talks about Jagan’s theories of “sound living” and how he
practices them in his daily life. For instance, instead of using a regular
toothbrush to brush his teeth, Jagan uses a twig “from a margosa tree” in his
backyard. Also, he believes that the margosa flowers are even better than aspirin
at relieving pain. It is stated, however, that his wife “lived her own life,”
refusing to follow any of his “health-giving activities.”
 Jagan tries to avoid Mali as he does not want to ‘embarrass’ him.

 He feels sorry for Mali, ‘Poor, poor boy, let him be.’

 He admires the physical appearance of his son from a distance.

 ‘He was very proud of his son’s weight, height and growth.’

 The house is made with natural elements.

 Jagan has a flashback about how the house was built.

 Jagan’s father also holds his own theories.

 ‘Salt is the only thing that can make a coconut tree grow.’

 Jagan using the ‘twig of a margosa tree’ shows that he is extreme in his behaviour.

 ‘He was opposed to the use of a toothbrush .’ (Western influence)

 According to Jagan ‘ The bristles are made of the hair of pig’s tail,’ he declared. ‘It’s
unthinkable that anyone should bite a pig’s tail first thing in the morning.’

 The author himself makes a comment saying that ‘it was impossible to disentangle
the sources of his theories.’
 He would have been influenced by his father’s theories as well.

 Even after the ‘nylon bristles’ were introduced he didn’t change his views.

 He says ‘You disbelieve me. Remember my father who died at ninety without a
single tooth loose in his jaw.’

 Jagan’s wife’s character is revealed by stating that she did not approve of his
theories. ‘ His wife refused to associate herself with any of his health-giving
activities. She hated his theories and lived her own life.’

 The start of their conflict. ( Jagan and his wife)

 Mali had been an inquisitive boy when he was small.

 Jagan comes back to reality at the end of the chapter as it mentions that ‘it was
some years ago, and Mali had grown.’

 A sense of sadness in Jagan when he remembers how Mali used to be when he

was young.