About the Author:
R. K. Narayan is an Indian writer known for his short stories and novels in English language. He
became a well-known author noted for his creation of the fictional south Indian village Malgudi.
He is known for his realistic writings in a sense that his writings project social context and
character of such society. His writings are also considered as a window through which the
readers can look into the 20th century Indian society.
About the story:
Narayan’s ‘An Astrologer’s Day’ is a thriller, suspense story describing a day in the life of an
astrologer who makes his living by selling cosmic insights to gullible (innocent) villagers,
though he has no knowledge of the cosmos or actual spiritual insight.
Setting:
The setting is the town hall park. In the story, the vendors locate their stalls all along the path
that runs through the park. It is mentioned in the story that the immense crowd moves up and
down the designated path from morning until night.
This story is told from a third person limited point of view. We know all the Astrologer thinks, but
other charter's thoughts are not directly expressed.
Characters:
The Astrologer is our round character. He is a deep character with feelings and a past. He is
cynical and nervous but has the confidence to pull of his façade of a real psychic with ease. He is
a man dressed for his job. He wears an orange turban and paints his face. This is all enhanced by
his keen predator-like eyes.
The Stranger or Guru Nayak is our dynamic character. He is a vengeful angry man. He is able
to strong arm people for his journey for revenge. Throughout the story we can see him change
and let go of his prosecuting anger in exchange for a content mind set. Guru Nayak is a large
man who was described quite vaguely throughout the story. He is characterized by his gruff
exterior and cigar.
Astrologer’s Wife is the flat character. She seems to be simple woman. She acts in the story as a
listening ear to the husband’s worries and stories
Plot Summary:
In a bustling Indian marketplace filled with exotic goods in a small town called Malgudi, the
Astrologer, sets up his fraudulent shop in an unlit tree. Throughout the day, he charms and
swindles people into listening to his false prophesies. As the day comes to an end, the Astrologer
is greeted by one last customer. While he would like to close up shop, the stranger insists that he
stays. A wager is placed, and the Astrologer gives into the temptation: One whole Rupee if his
answer is satisfying enough. With tensions high, he begins to tell about the stranger’s past that a
knife has passed through him, and he was left for dead. The stranger still shows signs of
skepticism. But suddenly the stranger was taken aback by the Astrologer's knowledge of his name
‘Guru Nayak’. He tells Guru's story of seeking revenge with surprising accuracy. When Guru
reveals the fact to the astrologer that he had been seeking for the revenge with the person who
had stabbed him the astrologer adds up that the man who had left him for dead was dead
already. Guru Nayak, satisfied with the Astrologer's answer, pays him and leave to return to his
village. The Astrologer returns home with the money to his wife, a weight lifted from his
shoulders. When his wife asks him about the reason for his cheery attitude, he tells her an old,
dark story that when he was young, drunk and stupid, he stabbed a man and left him in a well to
die. Because of that incident he had to run away from his village some years ago. The guilt has
travelled with him ever since then. But that the weight was lifted because he found out the person
was not dead.
Understanding the text
Answer the following questions. (DIY)
a.
How does the astrologer’s appearance help him attract customers? How does he help the
customers satisfy their needs?
b.
How do you characterize the astrologer’s attitude toward the stranger?
c.
What details does the astrologer give the stranger about his past?
d.
Why does he advise the stranger to go home immediately?
e.
What is your reaction to the conversation between the astrologer and his wife?
Reference to the context
a.
Suspense is the feeling of anticipation you may have as you read. In this story, what details
contributed to your feelings of suspense and surprise? Explain.
b.
Analyze the conflicts in “An Astrologer’s Day.” Explain how the conflicts are resolved and
what they reveal about the characters involved in the story.
There lies both internal and external conflict in the story An Astrologer’s Day by R. K.
Narayan. The internal conflict lies with the lead character, the Astrologer. His internal
conflict was the guilt he had for leaving Guru Nayak for dead in a well. While he isn’t
obvious throughout the entire story, he reveals to his wife. It has been a major burden on his
back. It is resolved when he found out that Guru Nayak wasn’t dead.
The external conflict is between the Astrologer and the Guru Nayak. It is the challenge
provided by Guru Nayak. Tensions run high between these two characters, but is resolved by
the Astrologer’s ability to please Guru Nayak’s curiosity.
c.
Description helps readers visualize what is happening in a story. What details and
techniques does the author use to describe the astrologer?
d.
Irony is a contrast between appearances and reality. What is ironic about Guru Nayak’s
meeting with the astrologer?
Irony is a contrast in life/literature between what is expected and what actually happens.
Irony can either be tragic or humorous. In "The Astrologer's Day" the irony is found in the
main twist of the story. Unless you are a good predictor, it is unlikely you saw the true side of
The Astrologer until he revealed his story. This is the opposite of what you might expect of a
fraudulent, small town man. Another example of irony is The Astrologer's effort into his
trade. For someone who knows more of psychology than astrology, he spends a lot of time on
the outfit and paraphernalia of his trade. This could be expected of a trickster like him
however.
e.
How does the astrologer’s manner of dress suit his character?
Reference beyond the text
a.
The astrologer attracts many customers in the street who are pleased and
astonishedbywhathetellsthem.Whatdoesthistellyouaboutthepeopleofthe town walking in the
street?
b.
Why do most people want to know their future? Do you think astrologers can really help
them know their future?
c.
Is astrology a good practice of fortune telling or is it just a blind faith? Give
reasons.(Answer may differ, if you have different opinion)
Yes, astrology is a good practice of fortune telling. In our societies, most of the people
practice and believe in fortune-telling. From the moment a child is born to the various events
related to their different stages of life, many people prefer taking advice from astrologers.
Astrology is supposed to be the best part of human life. It is seen in various events of a
human’s life. People tend to find out the right solutions to their problems through astrology.
Some people have deep faith in astrological prophecies because predictions made about their
life and future turn out to be true in many cases.