The autobiographical novel “The English Teacher,” written by renowned Indian author R.K. Narayan, was originally published in 1945. The story revolves around three main characters: Krishna, an English lecturer, his wife Susheela, a homemaker, and their beloved daughter Leela, a preschool student.
THE ENGLISH TEACHER BY R.K NARAYAN
Summary of The English Teacher By R.K Narayan
The novel revolves around Krishna, a professor at Albert Mission College in Malgudi. Krishna was a student at Albert Mission College and, after graduating, became a professor at the college. Krishna is married to Susheela, a skilled homemaker, and they have a beautiful daughter, Leela. Despite being a lecturer at Albert Mission College, Krishna dislikes his job because it’s far from home and he misses his wife and daughter.
One day, when Krishna returns to his hostel from college, he finds a letter from his father, stating that his wife Susheela and daughter Leela are coming to live with him in his hometown, Malgudi. Overjoyed, Krishna begins searching for a rental home for his wife and daughter. He finally finds a house near his hostel, renting twenty-five rupees a month.
Subsequently, Susheela and Leela move to Malgudi to live with Krishna, and their family lives happily together. Krishna is now very happy because when he returns home from college, his wife and daughter warmly welcome him.
One day, an old woman arrives at Krishna’s house with a letter from his mother, in which Krishna’s mother writes, “This old orphan woman is my childhood friend. Please let her stay in your house, and in return, she will help your wife with the household chores.”
Krishna and Sushila let the old woman stay with them, and in return, she begins to do all the household chores, including washing dishes, sweeping, and cooking. Sushila has now become an independent woman, receiving considerable help from the old woman and spending more time with her husband.
Later, Krishna receives another letter from his father, advising him to build his own house and promising to help him with the money. Krishna and Sushila set out to find a house, but they find one they don’t like. There, Sushila was bitten by a mosquito, contracted typhoid, and died after suffering a severe fever for a few weeks.
After Sushila’s death, Krishna fell into depression, losing all hope in life. His only hope now was his daughter, whom he loved deeply. Leela is the only reason Krishna is still alive; after work, he spends all his time with his beloved daughter. One day, while Krishna was lecturing his classmates, a boy in the class handed him a letter written by his wife, Sushila. Confused, Krishna asked him about the letter. The boy told him that his father had given it to him.
Krishna, out of curiosity, went to meet the boy’s father. His father told him that he went to meditate every day by the river, and one day, while he was meditating with a pen and paper to gather his thoughts, he saw a spirit begin writing on the paper. It was Sushila’s spirit, who had written Krishna’s name and address.
Krishna went to the riverbank to speak with the spirit of his wife, Susheela, and she told him that she would never abandon her husband and daughter in her life. Krishna is happy because his wife’s spirit is with him and he can talk to her whenever he wants.
The story now shifts to Leela, who has started attending preschool. She has a headmaster who loves all the children at his school immensely. Leela’s headmaster comes from a wealthy family, but he has no interest in money or his family, as his priorities are solely his students. One day, Krishna meets the headmaster. They gradually become good friends, and the headmaster offers Krishna a job as an English teacher, which he happily accepts.
Krishna’s mother comes to his hometown, Malgudi, and suggests he marry another woman because he needs someone to take care of his family. Krishna rejects his mother’s proposal because he loves only one woman, Sushila, and he leaves his mother and daughter in his mother’s village. Now Krishna is lonely because his daughter is with his mother, and saddened, he quits his job.
As Krishna was returning home, he saw a spirit of Sushila with his own eyes, who began talking to him and spent the entire night with him in the house. The English teacher’s story ends with Krishna meeting Sushila at their home.
Amazon Link : The English Teacher By R.K Narayan
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