THE UNDERDOGS –BY GAUTAM SEN(INDIA)Asian Literature (TSL 621)

SHORT STORY PRESENTATION

Prepared by:

Nur Fadzleen binti Mohd Kodari(2011474788)

Nurul Hidayu binti Shafie (2011266066)

ED2206A

Prepared for:

Madam Roslind Xavior Thambusamy

The Author- Gautam Sen

He was born in Calcutta, currently living in Bhutan.

Attended St Xavier, then he took degrees in English at St.Stephen’s

college,Delhi before attending Calcutta University

He taught in Bhutan. He is also an editor –cum-speechwriter in Royal

Government

The author of novel,short stories,poems and non-fiction

works-

On the Horns of a Dilemma (on India) ongoing war-like situation between

the Indian State and the CPI (Maoist) 

The Fantabulous Fens(a children story book)

Plot

Exposition

John Lewis, an Anglo Indian guy. is in love with a middle class Bengali girl, Lily. However, his father opposes their relationship as she is a Hindu

Rising Action

Despite his father’s threat, John still continues the relationship and even marries Lily with the help of his friends, Protul Da and Dhun

Climax

When John and Lily go back to her house, they get into a fight with Lily’ family.John accidentally kills Lily’s uncle

Falling Action

John is arrested for the murder Lily

Resolution

John is sent for a trial . He still optimist over the idea of a life with Lily. However he still ponders about the incident.

Themes Social Prejudice

Oppression

Friendship

Love

•Jack’s, an Anglo Indian, prejudice towards the Hindus•Mocking the Hindu’s taboo/prohibition towards consuming beef •“Hindu, uh What d’you know? Hazel no more beef for John”•“They still burn harijans by the dozens”•“Johns fallen into the clutches of a wog”(pg 194)•Your ‘human being’(pg 194)•“no Hindus in the family ,John.”

•Jack’s father towards John’s choice in marriage•“You’re free to marry anyone you wish, but for heaven sake don’t fall in love with a Hindu( pg 191)

•Lily’s family towards Lily •Lily earns 300 rupees a month, which she allowed to keep 50(pg 196)•Lily was half the bread-winner of an unjust ,oppressive family (pg 207)

•Potrul Da and Dhun•They help John and Lily to go through with their marriage•They are some of the very few people who visits John when he is in jail •Potrul Da finds a marriage broker and hires a lawyer for John•Dhun offers to let Lily to stay with her, helps to tend Lily when she is hurt

•John’s belief towards the reason behind his father’s reaction •The main reason John insists on marrying Lily despite his father’s objection

CHARACTERS

JOHN LEWIS• 25 years old

• “I’ve just completed the silver jubilee of my existence.”

• Anglo-Indians• “We are Anglo-Indians, self-professedly

liberal.”

• Knows boxing• “I’ve done some boxing in school.”

• Obedient child• Does not raise his voice when talking to his

father

• Falls in love with Lily• “I’ve fallen in love. Head over hills.”

• Determined• To get married to Lily

• Protective• When he sees Lily’s in danger

• Optimistic • To live happily with Lily

JACK LEWIS• Father to John Lewis• Self-professed liberal

• “You’re free to marry anyone you wish, but not Hindu.”

• Educated• “I remember he once taught

elocution part-time at a Jesuit school.”

• Westernized• Concern about English language

• Love Woody Allen

• Prejudice• Towards Hindus

• Uncompromising• “Woody Allen or no Woody Allen,

no Hindus in the family, John.”

HAZEL LEWIS• Mother to John Lewis• Mediator • Between her husband and

her son

• A contrast to her husband• Calmer

LILY• A Bengali and Hindu

• “She is a Bengali,…”• “She’s a Hindu.”

• Works in the same building as John.• “She works in the same building as

I do, in a cooperative society of a women’s association.”

• Oppressed by her aunt and uncle.• “She helped out at home. She

drudged. Swept the floors, cleaned the dishes, bought the groceries.”

• “Lily earns 300 rupees a month, of which she’s allowed to keep fifty.”

• Loves John.• The reason why she is brave

enough to face her aunt and uncle.

DHUN• A friend of John.• “Dhun is a friend of mine at

Exposure.”

• A Parsi and unmarried.• “I don’t know her life history,

but she’s an unmarried Parsi and…”

• Kind-hearted.• “A nice soul, full of bounce.

Always for the underdog.”• Helps John to move to Bhutan• Take care of Lily when John is in

prison.

• Optimistic.• “Something will work out, John,

you’ll see.”

PROTUL DA• A friend of John.• “…and I know him only

superficially, though we get along fine at that level.”

• Art Chief at Exposure.• “He’s the Art Chief at

Exposure,…”

• Influential, rich and wise.• Helpful and kind-hearted.

LILY’S AUNT• Unpleasant woman.• “The aunt ignores her,

throws me a blank stare, then turns on Lily questioningly.”

• Manipulative.• “Another five minutes

and she’s begun to wail, the bitch!”

• Oppresses Lily

LILY’S UNCLE• Unpleasant man.• “The man raises his

brows and eyes me from top to bottom,…”

• Hot-tempered.• “Entered the house with

your saheb! Bloody cheek! Where’s your mashi?”• Rude and vulgar words.

• Violent.

Significance of the title.“The Underdogs”

• Meaning:• People who have no power• People at disadvantage

• People who are victims of injustice.

• Why ‘The Underdogs?’• To show the reality of most people in India.

• “After all, we are all underdogs. Most of us anyway.”• Despite achieving their independence, people are still living

under oppression.

Controversial issues in the storyBribe

“There are ways of doing it, but it’s a little expensive.”

Role of law in India

“That’s why the law can break itself to

keep us longer than is legal.”

Violence

“Violence can also be an act of self-preservation, but once it’s begun, it’s like rolling a ball down a smooth hillside; it generates it’s own momentum.”

Personal response• Learn more about Indian culture.• The importance of friendship.• Freedom in making decision and

preparation for any obstacles and consequences.• Importance of justice.• Sad reality about the power of money

in people’s lives.

HOW DOES THIS STORY AFFECT US AS ASIANS?

There are consequences when you try to break

away from the norms of the society, therefore we have to make careful and

thorough choices and decision.

THANK YOU!