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.
Just a very simple question, what makes you think that Malini was raped? Could it be that Malina had an affair with Muthiah instead? It seems that Muthiah was always there for Malini (He had always helped Malini carry water "All the time he stays next to my house there is always water in my wife's pail"), in contrast to Muniandy who was always working and probably not home much ("I am pushing the cart from morning to evening").
ReplyDeleteAnyway, thank you for the analysis! Short and sweet. :)
I did not think Malini was raped. She is raped. You have finished reading the story but have not fully understand it. If you are using the same book/publisher as mine you can refer to the pages below.
DeleteIn page 13, after Ratnam was born, Malini is seeking for forgiveness, knocking her head on his feet on every morning. It was how wives show their loyalty to their husband at that time. Malini felt ashamed and unworthy of her husband because she had given birth to her rapist's child. In the end, her emotional struggle made her to end her own life
In page 24, "I can see why Muthiah is insulting Ratnam every end of the month. I listen to people around me to know the reasons. They are saying Ratnam has become too like me. Muthiah is spitting at his own image, too disgusted with it, they say." The extract shows Ratnam resembles his true father, Muthiah.
In page 34, "Malini showed me the true cause for her dying. She made me close my mouth. My heart is beating again" Muniandy's trance allows him to connect with his wife in spirit and found out about the true cause of her death. In suspense, we all know that Malini is the victim but who is the killer? His heart was beating with rage and revenge as he found Muthiah in the woods and killed him with his bare hands.
This whole story is a flashback, being told by Muniandy who is already captured by the policeman for killing Muthiah. The last paragraph explains his present situation. The 'tuan' he uses in the story refers to the policeman who he is telling the story to. In those days, Indians are placed in the estates and men are out working. Women are often raped in the woods for men to satisfy their lusts. Muthiah clearly knows the shame and the talks in the village Malini will receive if she were to tell the truth, she having raped by a man. They would probably think she deserves it for being reckless.
I hope this helps.
Where can I find this "Malaysian Short Stories" book?
ReplyDeleteAnyone who has this book and does not want to use it anymore, please contact/WhatsApp text me @ +60177380133. Thanks!
I need the book too. 0164200601
ReplyDelete