Karma

Is a story written by Indian writer Khushwant Singh. It was originally published in 1989 in
Singh's The Collected Stories. Karma is about an Indian "Gentleman" who tries to adopt upper class
English culture and lifestyle such as speaking the "Queen's English", and about his relation with his
wife etc.

theme
The story Karma illustrates the famous proverb "Pride Comes Before a Fall". It is the story of an
arrogant person who feels bad about his country's culture, lifestyle etc. He is condescending to his
wife because she is an ordinary woman unable to appreciate his aristocratic English culture.

Plot
Mohan Lal is a middle-aged man who works in the British Raj. He is ashamed to be an Indian and
hence he tries to speak in English or in Anglicized Hindustani and dresses up as a high-ranked
British official. He fills crossword puzzles, to show off his immense knowledge of English. His wife
Lachmi is a traditional Indian woman and due to this difference they don't have a sweet married life.
The important event occurs on a journey of Mohan Lal and Lachmi in a train. Mohan Lal makes her
sit in the general compartment while he gets his seat arranged in the first class compartment, which
was meant for the British. There he meets two British soldiers who try to abuse him. When the
arrogant Mohan Lal opposes them, he is thrown out of the train. He could only look through the rails
on the moving train.

Characters

Sir Mohan Lal - An arrogant middle-aged man

Lady Lal - An ordinary Indian woman who happens to be the wife of Mohan Lal and loves to
chew on Betel Leaves

A bearer

A porter

Two British soldiers.(Bill and Jim)

style of narration

Karma presents a relevant topic in the typical humorous way of Khushwant Singh. The style of
narration used by the author is third person omniscient limited to Sir Mohan Lal at first, then his wife
Lachmi, then Sir Mohan, then Lachmi, which gives the reader a better perspective.

setting
the story was set at railway platform