The story 'Ratnamuni' by K.S.Maniam is my favourite in Llyod Fernando's edition of Malaysian short stories because it carries a lot of emotions and the twist in the plot is definitely unexpected. By far, 'Ratnamuni' is one of the best short story I've read.
These are the themes I found in the story:-
PLIGHT OF INDIANS is analysed based on
the negligence of Indians' future ,
labour work, and
education
1. The negligence of Indians' future
The people are going from one darkness to another darkness. The Indian community are abandoned in the rural areas (evidence: they have to cross the forest path to go into the small town). Indians shall be in the low class social status forever. They are treated as slaves in estates and work places.
2. Labour work
Muniandy claims that he has nothing when he was coming here. He works various jobs to earn a living by working as a boat rower. Muniandy also has to push work-cart everyday until he is exhausted. The dilapidated condition drives them to the edge. Ratnam succumbs to violence and abuses his wife to relieve his stress. Ratnam also shouts filth at father because he has not enough income to spend. (more evidence: "Ratnam wants to throw the swinging knife at me", Muniandy)
3. Education
Education is so important to them as it is considered as a way out from the oppression of the low class society. Muniandy wants Ratnam to be different from him, like Ratnam is not him at all(pg 14). Maniam himself affirms that the English education has given him a centre to life. The character Muthiah has proven so after hours of having his nose in a book, he has given himself a comfortable spot in the society by being a 'kerani' at the high tuan's place (evidence: He was reading for reading. I am ashamed). Uneducated people are looked down. When Ratnam was asked to sign his name with a pen, he shook his head and was laughed at. He instead put the mark of his thumb on the paper because he is illiterate.
PRE-INDEPENDENCE CULTURE speaks of
the submission of Indian women towards men and
practices of religious and Indian customs.
4. Submission of Indian women towards men
Women are the subjects of their husbands. Malini gave obeisance to Muniandy every morning and Muniandy claims that he is happy to see the practice of the Big Country in Malaya. Woman like Malini gave complete loyalty to her husband as she dare not look at other man. In other word, men tend to subjugate their wives. The act of obeisance is to show their loyalty and obedience. Malini took her life because she could not bear the shame of being raped and gave birth to a 'bastard', the child of the rapist, as she feels unworthy of her husband.
5. Practices of religious and Indian customs
(page 10) "I held my left ear with my right hand, my right ear with my left. To cross over the uncrossed. Making steps to God with bending knees", is a way of apologising to their God.
Malini also make yellow rice ball, a traditional Indian food, to all the children. Besides that, fathers are likely to find young brides for their sons (see page 22)
p/s; Page reference is based on Llyod Fernando, Malaysian Short Stories book.
