Name: Ghanshyam Katariya
Paper 201: Indian English Literature – Pre-Independence
Subject Code: 22406
Topic Name: "Astrologer’s Appearance and Customer Satisfaction" in R. K. Narayan's "An Astrologer’s Day."
Batch: M.A. Sem-3(2022-24)
Roll No: 7
Enrolment No: 4069206420220017
Email Address: gkatariya67@gmail.com
Submitted to: Smt. S. B. Gardi, Department of English, MKBU
Topic: "Astrologer’s Appearance and Customer Satisfaction" in R. K. Narayan's "An Astrologer’s Day."
Introduction:
"An Astrologer’s Day" by R. K. Narayan unfolds a tale of mysticism, fate, and human desires against the vibrant backdrop of an Indian marketplace. Central to this narrative is the enigmatic astrologer, whose appearance serves as a doorway into the exploration of the mystical and the unknown. Far from being a superficial detail, the astrologer's carefully chosen attire contributes to the creation of a mystical and authoritative persona, drawing customers into the intricate web of his predictions and advice. Narayan skillfully crafts a character whose outward appearance becomes a key element in unraveling the complexities of human belief and the pursuit of understanding.
Description of Astrologer's Appearance:
In the bustling marketplace, the astrologer's distinctive appearance immediately captures the attention of passersby. His choice of a turban and a well-groomed beard is not arbitrary; it forms a deliberate image that contributes to the creation of a mystical and authoritative persona. The turban, often associated with wisdom and tradition, enhances the astrologer's credibility, while the well-groomed beard adds an air of sophistication, reinforcing the idea that he is a master of his craft.
Narayan’s description of the astrologer really creates an impression of a holy man with special powers which enables him to provide satisfactory solution to the problems of the common man. (Patel)
“His forehead was resplendent with sacred ash and vermilion, and his eyes sparkled with a sharp abnormal gleam which was really an outcome of a continual searching look for customers, but which his simple clients took to be a prophetic light and felt comforted. The power of his eyes was considerably enhanced…To crown the effect he wound a saffroncoloured turban around his head. This colour scheme never failed. People were attracted to him as bees are attracted to cosmos or dahlia stalks (Narayan).”
Past and present of the Astrologer
The astrologer is not a real astrologer, but a dubious man. He has fabricated his identity to escape punishment from attempt to murder. His livelihood, marriage and very survival are lies. There is no veracity to them. Narayan uses plot of astrologer to depict ways in which fear and guilt can thrust a man to lead a self-deceiving life. (Umakiran)
At the end of the story it is known that the astrologer fled his village after having a street brawl with Guru Nayak. Astrologer stabs Gurunayak and throws him in a well. So, in order to not to get prosecuted he left the village. (Umakiran)
the astrologer tells the clients about the incident that had taken place when they both had a fight and he thrashed him to kill and ran away throwing him into a well. But he does not disclose that he is the man who tried to kill him. (Kumar)
Mystery and Authority Through Astrological Symbols:
The unnamed protagonist of the story, the astrologer is not truly an astrologer, but was forced to take up astrologers’ profession due to emergence of sudden adverse circumstances in his life. Every day beneath a tamarind tree in a market he sets his shop, wearing a priest’s garb, wrapping in saffron clothing, painting his face sacred ash and vermillion and posing as a holy man with cosmic wisdom. For a small fee, he listens to people’s problems for ten minutes and offers them what seems like sage advice, dressing in common sense and manipulations in an astrologist’s lingo. Despite having no actual astrological knowledge, he is quite understanding, empathetic and offers comfort to his customers by giving them solace and emotional support (Umakiran)
The astrologer's use of astrological symbols further intensifies the mysterious atmosphere surrounding him. These symbols are not mere decorations but tools through which he communicates with the mystical forces. By incorporating symbols familiar to his customers, the astrologer establishes a connection, making his predictions more relatable and, consequently, more authoritative. The use of these symbols also emphasizes the depth of his knowledge, reinforcing the belief in his mystical abilities.
Cryptic Statements and Customer Attraction:
Central to the astrologer's communication style are the cryptic statements he employs. Instead of straightforward predictions, he offers enigmatic glimpses into the future. This deliberate ambiguity serves as a magnet, pulling customers toward him in a quest for deciphering the unknown. The cryptic statements generate curiosity, prompting individuals to seek clarification and guidance. The astrologer's ability to keep his predictions open to interpretation makes him an intriguing figure, drawing a diverse clientele seeking answers to the complexities of their lives.
It was a stereotyped life for the astrologer which he enjoyed to the fall. The speciality of Narayan lies in the telling the readers about the life of an astrologer whose name is not even mentioned by the writer, even no details of his past life has been given. It tends the readers to think that he must be an original inhabitant of this village. The narrative of the story takes a turn when the astrologer encounters a stranger whom he finds a potential client. He tries to entice him through his usual methods (Patel)
“You look care worn. It will do you good to sit down for a while and chat with me (Narayan)”.
The astrologer tries to beguile one of his clients by saying, “Is there any woman in your family, maybe even a distant relative, who is not well disposed towards you? (3)” He offers so many guess-based options to his customers relating to their various types of household problems that 90 percent of them are easily trapped and befooled and happily paid him his fees. For example, in this excerpt, he tries to become friendly with the client and gives him the option so that his client may get relieved from his sufferings if there are some. In this way, the astrologer uses bald on record strategy in which he does not try to minimize the threat to the client’s face. He does it deliberately so that his client may feel that he is sharing his problem with a friend and not with an astrologer. This builds a kind of social relationship between them as the communication here is supposed to be successful. (Kumar)
In “An Astrologer’s Day” R.K. Narayan narrators the story of a fraudulent astrologer who makes his living by telling astrology to gullible villagers. Although he has no knowledge of astrology, the astrologer exploits his customers’ searching for answers for their day to day problems. Customers hope that they would find solutions, solace and reassurance from astrology. The astrologer is a mere simple man with full of greed, fear and suffering from the woes of marriage, money, and tangled relationships similar to ordinary human beings. The astrologer possesses no insight into astrology. Simultaneously, he is aware that religious mysticism, whether fantasy or real, offers meaning to common people’s sufferings. Though, insignificant it may be. (Umakiran)
Ambiguous Predictions and Customer Satisfaction:
The astrologer's method of providing ambiguous predictions proves to be a key factor in customer satisfaction. By crafting predictions that can be interpreted in multiple ways, he caters to the diverse needs and desires of his clientele. Customers find comfort in the flexibility of interpretation, aligning the predictions with their hopes and aspirations. This adaptability not only satisfies the immediate curiosity of the customers but also ensures a lasting impression, as individuals leave with a sense of fulfilment and purpose.
He had a working analysis of mankind’s troubles: marriage, money, and the tangle of human ties. Long practice had sharpened his perception. Within five minutes he understood what was wrong. He charged three pies per question, never opened his mouth till the other had spoken for at least ten minutes, which provided him enough stuff for a dozen answers and advices. When he told a person before him gazing at his palm, “In many ways you are not getting the fullest results of for your efforts,” nine out of ten were disposed to agree with him […] Or he gave an analysis of character: “Most of your troubles are due to your nature. How can you be otherwise with Saturn where he is? You have an impetuous nature and a rough exterior.” This endeared him to their hearts immediately, for even the mildest of us loves to think he has a forbidding exterior. (Umakiran)
Conclusion:
In the weaving of "An Astrologer’s Day," R. K. Narayan masterfully intertwines the elements of appearance and communication to explore the intricacies of human belief in the face of the unknown. The astrologer's carefully curated appearance, laden with symbolic significance, not only captures the attention of passersby but also enhances his credibility in the eyes of those seeking guidance. The use of astrological symbols and cryptic statements adds layers to his character, deepening the mysterious atmosphere that surrounds him. Ultimately, it is the astrologer's ability to provide ambiguous yet satisfying predictions that leaves a lasting impact on customers, highlighting the complex interplay between perception, belief, and the pursuit of solace in the realms of mysticism. Through this narrative, Narayan invites readers to reflect on the intricate dance between appearance and reality, belief and skepticism, in the timeless pursuit of understanding life's uncertainties.
References
Kumar, Pradeep. “Politeness strategies in R. K. Narayan's 'An Astrologer's Day': A discourse analysis perspective.” IJELS, International Journal of English Literature and Social Sciences Vol-7, Issue-6, 2022, https://ijels.com/upload_document/issue_files/9IJELS-11120229-Politeness.pdf. Accessed 27 November 2023.
Narayan, Rasipuram Krishnaswamy. An Astrologer's Day: And Other Stories. London: Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1947. https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/44621655/Malgudi_Days_-_R._K._Narayan-libre.pdf?1460374293=&response-content-disposition=inline%3B+filename%3DMalgudi_Days_R_K_Narayan.pdf&Expires=1701089334&Signature=G2LX5bkxcnV0olSUGeeavWFknPKePqnkr1b02tY126B6O0WqEr6rJdr9hpHL0IgCaTkdkdj44bcmeHeygWD7t3TbYV41MSBUVnt~1bZkYH9MaYdgOoLV9yZvUrAxxS5Hx7b3aP-ftGKDhUsLUfAehMGfG-~3vB4xBtQYRBfVFeRrJ2yYMW3HUb8nHTSE6T3v~DARccQQZ2sIMAhhJBzdBoFpaJzMPNXHWdr3jjVB-z8pwId9xO3DNZGXPruTcIv2mVZUdFwpUzQDo0ALxn3hnPzgvnQP4E53HSBL8tSPa5vywx97HvxOiqAUqeTeLdD0i7KjywFy80LECsMyyt~GOg__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA Accessed 27 November 2023.
Patel, Ramesh B. “THE DICHOTOMY OF INDIAN ASTROLOGY IN LIGHT OF R.K. NARAYAN’S ‘AN ASTROLOGER’S DAY.’” Research Scholar, Research Scholar An International Refereed e-Journal of Literary Explorations, May 2015, https://researchscholar.co.in/downloads/64-ramesh-b.patel.pdf . Accessed 27 November 2023.
Umakiran, K. “An Astrologer's Day -Re-Visited (A Critical Analysis from 21 st Century Perspective) | Umakiran.” International Journal of Research, 2020, https://journals.pen2print.org/index.php/ijr/article/view/20118. Accessed 27 November 2023.
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