Study Material: The Financial Expert by R K Narayan

Sketch the character of Balu

Balu, the only son of Margayya and his wife, is one of the pivotal characters of the novel. It
is for him that Margayya becomes rich and tries to do whatever he can to make Balu a successful
man in life. But Balu is a major disappointment for his parents. Maragyya had two passions in life:
one is to make money, and another is to create bright future for his son. But Balu becomes
responsible for his father’s downfall and financial ruin when he comes into evil contact of Mr. Pal.

As a child Balu was much pampered by his father. After returning from his business under
the banyan tree, he spends most of his time with his son doting always. His wife was also equally
indulgent with her son as Balu was born twelve years after her marriage as a result of penance,
prayers and visit to holy places. As a result, Balu was a spoilt child. Once Balu throws Margayya
account book into the gutter from which it cannot be recovered. Margayya could not do anything
without account book and his business under tree comes to an abrupt end.

Margayya’s priority after becoming rich with the publication of Domestic Harmony in
partnership with Madal Lal is to admit Balu to a school. He does it with much fanfare taking Balu
in a decorated car. But Balu disappoints him in studies as a student. He is ill-treated by his school
fellows and beaten by teachers as he is a dull student. In order protect Balu Margayya manipulates
to get elected as the secretary of the school. He also engages Mr. Murthi, a teacher from school, to
give tuitions at home but Balu blackmails him and does not make any progress in studies. When
Margayya scolds Balu after he fails in the Matriculation exams, Balu runs away from home.

An unsigned letter comes from Madras informing death of Balu. Margayya’s wife cries and
blames her husband for being harsh with Balu. The reluctant and penitent Margayya goes to Madras
and brings back his son with the help of a kind Police Inspector. He tells his son not to worry about
exams or anything but just eat, rest and grow fat and that is what Balu does for next 6 months. He
gets up late in the morning goes out and comes back at noon, eats lunch, takes a nap and gets up,
dresses and goes out returning home late at night. Then Margayya arranges and celebrates his son’s
marriage with the daughter of tea estate owner after matching their unmatching horoscope.

Margayya sets up Balu and his wife in a separate house in Lawley extension much against
the wishes of his wife to make Balu a responsible man. But he comes under the evil influence of Dr.
Pal and takes into gambling, drinking and hobnobbing with the women from theatre neglecting his
wife and child. One fine day Balu goes to Margayya to ask share in his property under Dr. Pal’s
influence. In a fit of fury Margayya thrashes Dr. Pal and this brings Margayya’s downfall as Dr. Pal
spreads the rumour of Margayya’s inevitable insolvency. An unrepentant Balu returns from his
Lawley house after it has been attached by court orders. But Balu was not interested in old money

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lending business under the banyan tree. Hence, Margayya has to start afresh his life from where he
started for his needs.

Sketch the character of Meenakshi

Meenakshi is the submissive wife of Margayya. She was a very loving and over-indulgent
mother to Balu, who was born to them after twelve years after their marriage. Like Margayya, she
lavishes her love and attention on Balu and hence he grows up to a spoilt child. Meenakshi loves
and cares her husband in her own way. She never interferes in Margayya’s money making pursuits,
devoting her attention to happiness and welfare of the family. She complains to Margayya, very
often, about naughtiness and pranks of Balu as a child. She is a doting mother and wife who
occasionally grumbles and put her point across to her husband in a gentle manner not to upset her
husband.

Though Margayya starts neglecting her, she still listens to him when speaks about his
problems. For example: when he tells her how he has been insulted by the Secretary, she counsels
him that that was the way behave with someone who earns Rs. 500/- per month. She knew very well
that Balu is going astray but she does not tell it Margayya in order to avoid father-son confrontation.
She leaves everything to the time which settles everything. She knew that Balu is not interested in
studies but her love for him comes in the way of telling this to Margayya.

She was indeed shattered when Balu disappears from the house when Margayya scolds him
for failing in the Matriculation examination. Thereafter she goes about her works mechanically and
silence reigns the house. When news of Balu’s death comes from Madras she starts wailing and
moaning. She blames her husband for the death of their only child and forces her reluctant husband
to go to Madras to make enquiries about Balu.

She is overjoyed when Margayya brings back Balu from Madras. She becomes lively and
starts paying more attention to her appearance and competing with husband in looking after Balu.
After Balu’s marriage she does not approve Balu live separately from them. Margayya explains her
that it is necessary to make Balu an independent man. But Balu remains irresponsible till the end of
the novel. But this does not refrain the them from showering love on him.

The only flaw that we find in her character is her inability to get along with Margayya’s
family especially with his brother’s wife. Both the women are suspicious of each other. They dislike
each other even when they come together even at the time of distress as happens over the news of
Balu’s death. But this is what happened in every joint family in all the places and all the ages.

Sketch the charater of Brinda

Brinda is the daughter-in-law of Margayya and wife of Balu. She is one of the minor
characters of the novel. Margayya was unable to get a mortgage of Kanda’s fertile land around

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Mempi hills and this remains one regret in his life. But when a proposal of marriage comes for his
son from the tea estate owner in the Mempi hills, he sets his heart on the match. Even though the
horoscopes of bride and groom do not match, he bribes the astrologer in order to match them so that
her could make Brinda his daughter-in-law. Brinda was an educated and well brought up girl.

Brinda, though the antithesis of Pampered and doted Balu, is meek and submissive woman.
She does not complain to Margayya or his wife when Balu goes astray and neglects her and their
child. Margayya come to know about Balu’s matter only when he goes to Lawley extension the after
Balu asks for his share in the property. Under the evil influence of Dr. Pal Balu has taken into
gambling and drinking and hobnobbing with theatre women till late in the morning.

Margayya one day sees all these things himself and takes matter into his hand. When drunken
Balu staggers out of Dr. Pal’s car and there were two women in the back seat of the car, this makes
Margayya so furious that he thrashes Dr. Pal who takes revenge on Margayya by financially ruining
by speading false news about Margayya’s financial condition. Brinda remains a mute spectator in
all these. She helps Balu to get on to his feet and go inside the house. She knew that Dr. Pal instigated
Balu to go against his fahter but she does not tell it to Margayya. If she had told him earlier Margayya
might have handled matter differently. This is the only fault that we can find in the character of
Brinda. Brinda is patient, tolerant and forbearing to a fault. She comes to Margayya’s house with
Balu and their child at the end of the novel when their Lawley extension house was attacked by the
people.

Sketch the character of Dr. Pal

Dr. Pal is introduced to us when Margayya goes to the ruins beyond Nallappa Grove in
search of red lotus for his forty days prayer to win the favor of Goddess Lakshmi. The lotus flower
was quite inside the pond and when he tries not to dirty his dhoti, he sees Dr. Pal and requests him

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get the flower for him as he in his shorts. Dr. Pal is a journalist, correspondent and author aging
about thirty years with youthful face and three days’ stubble. He is a tall lanky man with sunken
cheeks and crop of hair falling on his forehead and nape.

He is the local correspondent of a Tamil newspaper The Silver Way as well as the author of
a book on sexology. He calls himself a sociologist interested in doing good to the humanity by
writing books on their bed life. He shows his manuscript to Margayya who is embarrassed to read
such book which explicitly deals with sex. His book based on Vatsayana’s Kama-Sutra or Science
of Love and latest research done by modern sociologists like Havelock Ellis.

When forty days penance and prayer to propitiate the Goddess Lakshmi does not yield any
result, Margayya is at his wit’s end. He starts looking around in the town for some business that he
can take up to make his living. It is at this juncture that Margayya meets him again who bullies him
to buy his book on sexology and publish it to enlighten the common folk and guide their steps to
happiness. He tells Margayya that he would not leave the manuscript for a thousand rupees but for
friend like Mragayya he would settle whatever the latter had in his pocket at that time. Margayya
had twenty rupees at that time and he buys the manuscript for 25 rupees. Later Margayya publishes
it in partnership with the printer Madan Lal under the title Domestic Harmony.

Dr. Pal helps Margayya to secure an office space in a shop owned by blanket dealer Guru
Raj. When Margayya wanted to expand his business by attracting deposits Dr. Pal works as his tout
and gets huge amount of money as deposit for Margayya. He also buys a second car for himself to
attract clients around Malgudi. Dr. Pal also helps Margayya in manipulating Balu’s horoscope so
that his horoscope matches that of Brinda, the daughter of tea estate owner in Mempi Hills and helps
in organizing Balu’s wedding celebrations.

When Margayya comes to know that it is Dr. Pal who is responsible for son’s indulgence in
gambling, drinking and hobnobbing with theatre women, he loses his control and thrashes Dr. Pal
in the middle of the road. Insulted and humiliated Dr. Pal seeks his revenge by registering complaint
of assault at the police station against Margayya and spreads the rumour of Margayya’s impending
bankruptcy with his depositors. As a result, all the depositors besiege Margayya at his house and
demand their money back. Margayya declares himself insolvent and has to start his life afresh under
the banyan tree outside cooperative bank as a petty money-lender. This is how Dr. Pal who has been
all along helping Margayya to solve his problems becomes villain by ruining his business forever.

Sketch the character of the Inspector of Police

Margayya meets the kind and sincere police officer when he was travelling to Madras in the
third-class railway compartment. Though the inspector lives in Madras, he has to moves around in
order to nab the criminals and wrong doers and even political leaders like Mahatma Gandhi. When

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Margayya tells him about the unsigned postcard he has received about the death of his son, he helps
Margayya to trace out Balu.

When they get off from the train in Madras, the Inspector goes out to make investigation
after telling Margayya to stay at the platform restaurant. He spends one day for tracing the postcard
and takes Margayya to a crazy old man who has the habit of writing letters to world leaders and
advising them about death. Then he takes Mragayya to Central Talkies which is run by old man’s
son-in-law. It is there that they find Balu working as a poster boy. The thin and emaciated Balu
shows unwillingness to go back with Margayya and was happy in the theatre. Margayya is dark with
roaming here and there in the sun and is very happy to find his son alive. Balu has left with no other
choice but to go back to Malgudi with Margayya.

The Inspector sees off Margayya and Balu at Egmore Platform. Margayya is very grateful
to the officer who has helped him when he really needed someone’s help to find Balu in Madras.
The officer is also very glad to have helped someone in distress and advises Balu to be a good son
and not to bother his parents again. The Inspector of Police is an exceptional specimen of humanity
particularly at a time when the police force much maligned for its bad behavior and corruption. He
restores our faith in human nature and police force by readily agreeing to help Margayya to find
Balu without any ulterior motif. If he had not helped Margayya to trace Balu, Margayya would have
suffered too much in Madras. He brings together the errant son and his loving parents together after
they had given up all hope.

Sketch the character of Margayya

Margayya, the protagonist of the novel, represents a curious blend of practical wisdom,
financial acumen, mental alertness and superstition. The financial expert of Malgudi becomes a
virtual prisoner of his single-minded pursuit for money. He growth from a petty money lender to a
money mystic is phenomenal and catastrophic in his crash in the end. The portrayal of character of
Margayya has been hailed as an excellent example of Narayan’s skill in the delineation of character.
People like him do exist in all the places and all the times and he lends a touch of realism and
universality to his character.

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 Margayya is introduced to readers as a petty money lender operating outside the Cooperative
Bank in Malgudi. All the farmers around Malgudi depend upon Margayya for filling loan
application form and giving suggestions to get loan from the bank in every possible way. He carries
with him a small box with pen, ink, register and loan application forms. When the Bank Manager
comes and warns him not conduct his business under the tree, he realizes that he was ill-treated
because he had no money, and he understands the importance of money and decides earn a lot of
money to bring up his son like a prince.

Margayya undertakes forty days Pooja of prayer and penance to propitiate Lakshmi, the
Goddess of Wealth on the advice of temple priest. When he goes in search of lotus for pooja he
accidently meets Dr. Pal, a journalist, sexologist and author who plays a major role Margayya’s life
to acquire wealth as well as in losing wealth. The prayers and penance do not yield any result and
Margayya meets Dr. Pal again accidently and buys his manuscript Bed Life and publishes with the
title Domestic Harmony with Madan Lal and becomes a very rich Man.

When the business of book goes down and his conscience hurts him as the publisher of a
vulgar book, he sells his share in partnership to Madan Lal and starts financial operations from a
shop in the market road. He secures this office from a blanket seller Guru Raj with the help of Dr.
Pal. As his business flourishes, his disappointment with Balu increases. Balu runs away from home
after he fails in Matriculation. He receives a postcard from Madras informing Balu’s death. He goes
to Madras after too much persuasion and brings back Balu with the help of Inspector of Police.

As Balu turns eighteen, Margayya thinks of getting him married so that the boy can settle
down in his life. He also manipulates the horoscope of the boy so that he can marry the daughter of
tea estate in the Mempi hills. After marriage Balu lives with his wife in Lawley Extension separately.
Balu begets a son but still he remains irresponsible and wayward. He comes under the evil influence
of Dr. Pal and takes into gambling, drinking and neglects his wife and child. Dr. Pal also instigates
him to demand for his share of property from Margayya. This infuriates Margayya and he beats up
Dr. Pal in the street. In order to avenge this, he spreads the rumor that Margayya’s financial
condition is very bad and this leads Margayya’s bankruptcy. He comes down to where he started
his life.

Madan Lal, the owner of Gordon Printers

Madan Lal is the owner of the Gordon Printery in Malgudi. It is one of the best printers in
the town of Malgudi where all kinds printing work taken up. When Margayya goes to print his book
Bed Life, we come to know of him and he becomes the partner in publishing the book. The title of
the book was later changed to Domestic Harmony on the advice of the lawyer. He is a very clever
and astute businessman as he does not become mere printer of book but also the partner in publishing
the book. Margayya is also gets better of him by bluffing his way through the technicalities of the
printing. When Madan Lal wants some time to read the before he decides whether to print it or not,
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Margayya is not ready to leave the manuscript with Lal. Hence, Lal has to go through it in one single
session without going to home for lunch. He orders lunch for the tiffin for him as well as Margayya
and finishes reading the book. Lal wants consult his lawyer before taking up this for printing because
he does not want to get into trouble later after printing it. He also changes the title of book from Bed
Life to Domestic Harmony to avoid any legal action if something goes wrong. He also puts a
condition before Margayya that money will be shared between them but not the legal action if
something goes wrong.

Later when Margayya wants to dissolve the partnership as he was not willing to be called by
people as the publisher such a bad book, he tries to do it without going to the lawyer. Madan Lal
had prolonged negotiations which went for more than two days and consequence of Margayya could
get a hefty cheque from him. Madan Lal’s behavior is farcical as he goes through Dr. Pal’s book on
pornography which was later published with the change of title. He brushes aside all the important
work and proof reading in order to finish the book as quickly as possible. He is happy to have a
better deal out of Margayya when their partnership is dissolved. When they part, both of them
profess undying friendship for each other, though we do not see or hear about Madan Lal after this
in the course of the novel.

Shastri, the Clerk in Margayya’s office

The old accountant that Margayya engaged in his office is Shastri, who was a retired revenue
clerk. He is the only employee that Margayya engaged in his officas he did believe in appointing
too many clerks as it happens in banks. Margayya’s view on banking business is very different from
other. He is a lean old man with a fifteen days old silver beard encircling his face at any given time.
He is always busy in his work, bending over the ledger doing something at any given time. Margayya
instructs him not to look up and solute him when he arrives as it likely to disturb his calculations.
But whenever Margayya needed an audience for his perorations Margayya chose to speak to him.

Shastri is a sycophant who is afraid to give any suggestion with the fear that he might lose
the job with Margayya. He salary is fifty rupees per month. So, he tries keep Margayya in good
humor by flattering him at every stage in the novel. When Margayya wanted a bride for his son
Balu, Shastri was of great help for finding daughter of Tea Estate Owner at Mempi hills. He always
had a desire to have a land or property on the fertile Mempi hills. Margayya’s life style has not
changed very much despite making too much money each passing day except a room on the terrace.
He walked every day to the office at Market road. This was greatly appreciated by Shastri for his
simplicity despite it is nothing but miserliness. Shastri makes him aware of his eminence as a rich
man, probably the richest man in the town, Malgudi: ‘I have known people only with one tenth of
wealth you possess sir, but the way they try to show off… any child will tell who is the richest man
if he is asked to’. He brings many marriage proposals to Balu and helps Margayya to manipulate
the horoscope of Balu and the bride when horoscopes do not match. He does not speak much unless
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he is spoken to. He quietly does the work and he remained with Margayya till he becomes bankrupt
after Margayya had fight with Dr. Pal and lost all the wealth and goes the stage where he started his
life that is under the banyan tree outside the Cooperative bank.

The Priest of the Temple

As Margayya walks down the street day dreaming about the next generations of aristocrats
in his family, he sees a tall, gaunt priest of the temple in the street and thinks of consulting him
about ways to earn the money. The priest is returning from a pooja from the Municipal Chairman’s
house on the way to another place before returning to the temple. Margayya accompanies him to the
handloom weavers’ colony and waits for him outside the colony and goes into the house to see a
pooja. This locality is worse than Vinayaka Mudali Street where Margaaya lives.

It is quite late in the evening when they return to temple. They keep talking about Karma
and mythological story of Markandeya, the boy devotee of Lord Shiva. He invites Margayya inside
the temple to see the god so as not to displease the god. Even though it was too late, Margayya
agrees to go inside the temple. When Margayya asks him how to acquire wealth, the priest advises
Margayya to pray for it single mindedly. Margayya is scared of the priest, leaves the place thinking
that he might practice some kind of Black magic.

When the priest meets Margayya for the second time with the horoscope, he tells the latter
that he should do a 40 days pooja to propitiate the goddess Lakshmi who is the goddess of wealth.
He also tells the specific way to do it. Margayya has to get skin of deer, honey, red lotus and ghee
made out of milk of smoke colored cow and Margayya has to recite a mantra many times for forty
days. After doing pooja for 40 days as told by the priest, he does not get any wealth as told by the
priest. So, he goes to the temple to see the priest and ask about it. But when goes there, he does the
priest who told him do the pooja, he sees a younger priest. On asking him, Margayya comes to know
the priest had gone to Benares and from there he will go to Himalayas. Margayya curses the priest
for befooling by telling some non-sensical thing. He leaves matter there and goes home sad and
dejected.

Guru Raj, the blanket seller

Guru Raj is the blanket dealer who rents one of his shops to Margayya in the Market Road
when Dr. Pal suggests him to do show to start his financial business. He is also the first depositor
who deposits money with Margayya. His shop is behind the jaggery go-down in the city and a lot
of flies sit in his shop. Hence, he constantly chases the flies out of his shop. He has no electricity in
his shop. Though he was a farmer Municipal councilor, he does not want to waste his money on
getting an electricity connection to his shop. He is a miser like Margayya and defends his actions
by giving some reasons. His philosophy is one should not work after 6 pm in the evening. The best

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time to work is from 9 am to 6 pm not after six. As a result of this Margayya has to finish all his
transactions before the sunset and go home as early as possible.

Guru Raj has another reason to for not installing electric lights in shops. Since the materials
required for this work very costly here, he has ordered for these things from the General Electric
Company in America. He tells it but we do not know whether he has really ordered or not. Whenever
Margayya says still there is no light in his shop, Guru Raj tells him that the items he had ordered
will be arriving and they will get electricity very soon. He is the first man deposit with Margayya.
Later Balu comes under the evil influence of Dr. Pal and takes into gambling, drinking and neglects
his wife and child. Dr. Pal also instigates him to demand for his share of property from Margayya.
This infuriates Margayya and he beats up Dr. Pal in the street. In order to avenge this, he spreads
the rumor that Margayya’s financial condition is very bad and it was this man Guru Raj who is the
first man to demand his money back and it finally leads to Margayya’s bankruptcy.

Margayya’s Brother

Margayya’s brother plays one of the important roles in the life of Margayya. The writer has
not mentioned his name in course of the novel. We know only as Margayya’s brother. Before the
beginning of the novel they are separated as their wives failed to go together and as there were fights
constantly taking place. They tolerate each other till the death of their father and then they are
divided. All that can be divided into two was divided except the well which was used as a common
property for both the houses. There was wall separating two houses but they came know what was
happening in both the houses. There were also comments about each other whenever something
happens in the house.

Margayya becomes rich after the publication of Domestic Harmony with Madan Lal. When
time comes to admit Balu to school with grand possession, he goes with his wife to his brother’s
house to invite to the function. His brother comes with all his children but his sister-in-law does not
come. He goes back to the flash back very often how good his brother was towards him during his
school days and at the time of his marriage. But the women of the house of do not go together, they
fight with each other very often which makes them to live separately after the death of his father.

When the news come from Madras informing that Balu is dead. It is his brother who comes
to his help. Margayya does not know what to at this juncture but his brother tells him go to Madras
and see what is the matter. But Margayya does not show any interest going to Madras. At this time
his brother is ready to accompany to Madras but denies this goes alone to Madras. On the train he
befriends a Police Inspector, who helps Margayya to find his son Balu in a film theatre. Whenever
Margayya was trouble his brother came to his help without being asked for it. It shows how much
love he had for his brother. But due to fight between females of the family they are not in the talking
terms in the most of the parts of the novel.

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 Margayya as a Petty Money under the Banyan Tree outside the Bank

In the beginning of the novel we are introduced to Margayya conducting his unauthorized
business outside the Co-operative Bank in Malgudi. Nobody knows his real name is Krishna. He is
simply referred as Margayya, one who shows the way or one guides the people in their financial
difficulties. Almost every peasant within hundred miles radius of Malgudi approaches Margayya to
obtain a second loan from the bank even though he is not eligible for it. Thus, he violates rules of
the bank. Margayya collects bank loan application forms, supplies them to the peasants and fills
them on their behalf for a fee to enable them to get fresh loan from the bank. In fact, these application
forms are the greatest assets in life and he spends half of his time in obtaining them. There is always
a semi-circle of peasants sitting around him under the banyan tree seeking his attention and
assistance.

Margayya, a man of forty-two, commands the respect of his clients. They consider him a
wizard who helps them to draw unlimited loans from the bank. If the purpose of the Co-operative is
to promote thrift and to keep out all the middlemen, Margayya is able to defeat all these objects
successfully. He has no problem in earning his living under the tree. He advances money to peasants
to pay off their first loan with interest so that they can get another as is the rules of the bank. Hence,
he always keeps himself in the centre of all complex financial transactions and making his clients
depend on him for favours.

His career under the banyan tree comes to an end as a petty money lender abruptly. Once
the new Manager of the Bank comes to him and snatches all bank loan forms ordering him to not to
sit under the tree. He also threatens Margayya that he could call the police if the latter found within
the bank premises. This incidence makes Margayya very thoughtful. He thinks that he was ill-treated
because he has no money. A money who has no money has no status in the society. This makes him
realize the importance of money in one’s life. He tells his wife: ‘Money alone is important in this
world. Everything else will come to us naturally if we have money in our purse… Even you will
learn to behave with me when I have money… I have finished with those villagers.’ This incident
makes Margayya try new things in life to become rich. Indeed, he becomes rich with publication of
Domestic Harmony, a pornographic book, with Madan Lal.

The Financial Expert as a comic novel or Humor and Wit in the novel The Financial Expert

Humor is an element in a work of literature whether it is a character or an event or an

utterance that is designed to amuse or excite mirth or arouse laughter in the reader or audience. R K
Narayan’s earlier novels like Swami and friends are mainly comic. There are touches of seriousness
in other novels as well. From guide onwards, there is a judicious blend of seriousness and comedy,
which is true to The Financial Expert.

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 Narayan’s humour is immensely varied and all pervasive. Here we have humour of
character, humour of situation, farcical humour, wit and irony. The humour mingles with pathos and
tragedy in R K Narayan. There is almost interpenetration of Shakespeare’s tragic and comic
elements in The Financial expert. This novel depicts the rise and fall of a petty money lender
Margayya in his obsession for money by whatever means that leads to tragic consequences. But a
comic vein runs through the narrative where we have both the comedy of character and comedy of
situation. There is a lot of humour, wit and irony in the beginning of the novel with the way he
conducts his financial transactions under the banyan tree outside the Cooperative bank with his
spectacles on his nose. Nobody knows the real name of Margayya. He is simply called Margayya:
one who shows the way to the people to solve their financial problems.

Then we have Balu’s pranks. The way he carried the red account book outside and threw
into the gutter flowing outside their home. When Margayya admonishes the child, he was called
heartless by everybody except a cyclist who disappears quickly leaving him alone. Madan Lal’s
behavior is also farcical while he goes through Dr. Pal book of pornography. He is fascinated by the
chapter headings and illustrations that he brushes aside all work going on in his print. The manner
in which Dr. Pal contrives to sell his manuscript is amusing. He starts with ten rupee and settles
down whatever Margayya has in his pocket at that time that is twenty-five rupees.

Another amusing character is the crazy rich man living in the garnish ‘House of
Enlightenment’. He is convinced that the end of the world is imminent and he must warn the leaders
of the world. He calls himself the agent of the god and writes letter to people informing about the
death of their dear ones. He dresses himself in a comic way arousing laughter.

The most comic figure in the novel is Margayya whose passion is to acquire a lot of money.
He has his own quirks and eccentricities. He portrayal is full of humor and irony. People have
forgotten his name but call him Margayya because he guides them in their financial abilities. He
wears ill-fitting glasses, an old dhoti, carries a tin box under his arm like a barber. His conversation
with Dr. Pal about the book is humorous. There is a lot humor in his dialogue with Madan Lal on
publication of the book. His imagination of Balu being a doctor, because he got 12 marks in Hygiene
is the funniest thing in the novel. Over all the novel is full of humor through-out and does not bore
any reader in any way. A superb work of comic fiction.

The Mad Cinema Owner

The made cinema owner is crazy rich man living in the garnish ‘House of Enlightenment’.
He is convinced that the end of the world is imminent and he must warn the leaders of the world.
He calls himself the agent of the god and writes letter to people informing about the death of their
dear ones. He dresses himself in a comic way arousing laughter. The man is told that Margayya
came to look for Balu but he tells funny answer.

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 He is not prepared to tell them about Balu till he gets an answer from God and refuses to
answer any question. He reminds them: ‘You must not forget there is god above me’. As they could
not get answer from the madman about where about of Balu, they prepare to leave. The inspector
will try to find in some other way as this madman wrote death notes to different people and Balu
death notes is also one of them. Margayya regrets for coming here as he left his business in the hand
of his clerk. He is the owner of the cinema theatre where Balu works and he collects the address of
all his workers and writes letters to them informing about their death. In the same way he writes a
letter to Balu’s home which creates drama in Margayya house. His wife starts crying and rolling in
the floor and blames Margayya for everything that happened to Balu. Margayya was not willing to
come to Madras to see what is the matter really but his brother forces him go to Madras. It is this
madman who is responsible to bring back Balu from Madras where he was working as poster boy
in the theatre. Balu comes back and badly influenced by Dr. Pal to do unwanted things that angers
Margayya so much that he thrashes in the road. That leads to Margayya’s downfall as a financer.

One word substitute- The Financial Expert

One who ploughs the land- Peasant or farmer

One who lives in the village- Villager

One who spends the money carefully- thrift

A financial establishment that deals with money matters- Bank

One who spends money as little as possible- Miser

A person who makes or sells optical instruments- Optician

One who plays games for money- Gambler

Property or money given to the groom/husband- Dowry

One who no money to pay the debts- Bankrupt

Speak in a low voice- Whisper

One who is very skilled in a particular field- Wizard

A period of sixty seconds- Minute

An extremely small thing- Minute

One who is skilled in cutting and laying stones- Mason

To list items in an order- Catalogue

Act of causing trouble in a playful way- Mischievous

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One who is argumentative – Cantankerous

A very short period of time- Moment

One who is very hard working- Studious

Money borrowed to be paid with interest- Loan

A place where criminals are kept- Prison

One who cuts hair or shaves- Barber

One who is legal property of another to obey them- Slave

A period of hundred years- Century

A period of ten years- Decade

A group of people gathered in an unruly way-Crowd

One who dies for a great cause- Martyr

One who saves somebody from a difficulty- Saviour

One who gathers secret information from another party- Spy

One who has lost her husband- Widow

One who lost his wife- Widower

A child whose parents are dead- Orphan

One who is qualified to treats ill people- Doctor

Highest class or extremely rich in certain societies- Aristocrat

One who performs religious ceremonies- Priest

A building devoted to worship god or gods- Temple

A place where people purchase or sell things- Market

A celebration of formal religious or public occasion- Ceremony

Something the lasts forever – Eternal

A person who teaches in a school- Teacher

An institution for educating children- School

A polite request to god or gods or eminent people – Prayer

Legally take another’s child and bring like one’s own- Adopt

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A person who is believed to or claims to have magic power- Sorcerer

One who turns other metals to gold- Alchemist

A frightening or unpleasant dream- Nightmare

An offensive word or phrase used to express anger or annoyance- Curse

A reward for an achievement- Prize

A foolish or silly behavior- Tomfoolery

A violent a person especially involved in a crime- Ruffian

A cruel, evil or an unmanageable person- Demon

A person employed to clean streets- Scavenger

A place where men visit prostitutes- Brothel

A person who habitually drinks- Drunkard

A person who buys things or services- Customer

One who tells lies- Liar

Creator and ruler of our universe and source of moral authority – God

A sacred place/ shrine within the temple- Sanctum

A place where gods live with their angels and good people- Heaven

A strong believer in a particular god and religion- Devotee

A woman who is going to married soon- Bride

A man who is going to be married soon- Bridegroom

A birth chart to tell about one’s future- Horoscope

A person of unconventional or strange behavior- Eccentric.

A person who sells things in the street- Vendor

A state of feeling of extreme physical or mental distress- Misery

A person who submits to another’s authority- Obedience

One who renounces secular life- Sanyasi

Something that is difficult to understand and explain- Mystery

Cease to support or look after something or somebody- Abandon/desert

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A temporary stay in a particular place- Sojourn

One who is an obsessive enthusiast- Maniac

One who writes for newspapers or magazines or broadcasting- Journalist/correspondent

A handwritten book, document or a piece of music note- Manuscript

A person who creates paintings or drawings as profession or hobby- Artist

A man who is not married and has never been married- Bachelor

A woman who is not married and has never been married- Spinster

A woman having more than one husband- Polyandry

Punishment inflicted on oneself for a wrongdoing- Penance

Something/ somebody not able to be changed or reformed- Incorrigible

Walk or move in a leisurely or aimless way- Wander

The quality of being thankful- Gratitude

The voluntary giving of help, typically in the form of money, to those in need- Charity

A person, typically a homeless one, who lives by asking for money or food- Beggar

A person without a settled home or regular work- Vagrant

A conversation about other people- Gossip

Too powerful or convincing to be resisted- Irresistible

An expert or specialist in psychology- Psychology

The practice of claiming to have higher standards than is the case- Hypocrisy

A person skilled in philosophical debate- Dialectician

The state or feeling of being envious- Jealousy

An expert in or student of the development, structure, and functioning of human society-

Sociologist

A hospital department where outpatients are given medical treatment or advice- Clinic

A text containing the explicit description or display of sexual organs or activity- Pornography

The study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence- Philosophy

To negotiate the price, terms and conditions of a transaction-Bargain

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A building or outdoor area in which plays and other dramatic performances are given- Theatre

The owner of a business, or a holder of property- Proprietor

A rule or belief governing one's behaviour- Principle

A very short period of time- Moment

A person who practises or studies law- Lawyer

Preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience- Prejudice

A person who teaches, especially in a school- Teacher

A private teacher, typically one who teaches a single pupil or a very small group- Tutor

To speak in low voice- Whisper

A careful examination or scrutiny- Inspection

The action or state of attaining or having attained spiritual knowledge or insight- Enlightenment

Something of little value or importance- Trivial

Not known or seen or not meant to be known or seen by others- Secret

An act of slaughtering an animal or person or surrendering a possession as an offering to a deity-

Sacrifice

A forcible overthrow of a government or social order, in favour of a new system- Revolution

Walk in a slow, relaxed manner- Saunter

A feeling or thought that something is possible, likely, or true- Suspicion

A thing given in recognition of service, effort, or achievement- Reward

The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university-

Education

Take hold of suddenly and forcibly- Seize

P person who occupies land or property rented from a landlord- Tenant

A regretful acknowledgement of an offence or failure- Apology

Something that can be eaten- Edible

A long journey to a holy place- Pilgrimage

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 THE ADVERB

An adverb is a word that modifies or adds something to the meaning of a verb, an adjective or
another adverb.

1. Rama works hard.

2. She is a very beautiful girl.
3. Rama reads quite well.

In the first sentence, the word hard modifies the verb work. It shows how or in what
manner Rama works. Hence, the word hard is an adverb.

In the second sentence, the word very modifies the adjective beautiful. It shows how much
(or in what degree) the girl is beautiful.

In the third sentence, the word quite modifies the adverb well. It shows how well Rama
reads. Hence, hard, very, and quite are adverbs.

Adverbs placed at the beginning of the sentences often modify the whole sentence rather
than any particular word.

1. Probably he was misled (it is probable that he was certainly misled by others).
2. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the accident.
3. Certainly, you are wrong; if you say so.
4. Evidently the figures are correct.
5. Luckily, they won the match.

Active Voice and Passive Voice

In the active voice the subject does the action. In the passive voice the action is done upon
the subject or object does the action.

1 Rama kicked the ball.

2 The ball was kicked by Rama.
3 Preiritha writes a letter.
4 A letter is written by Preiritha.

The first and third sentences are in the active voice because the subjects, Rama and
Preiritha, do the action. The verbs kicked and writes are active verbs. The second and
fourth sentences are passive as action is done upon the subjects, the ball and a letter.
Hence verbs kicked and written are passive verbs.

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The Active Voice is preferred when the subject of the action is to be made prominent. The
Passive Voice is preferred when the subject is not known, or not clear, or not important.

I When subject is to be made prominent.

1 Ricky Ponting scored a century.

2 Salman Rushdhie has written a new novel.
3 The Prime Minister gave a speech.

II When the subject is not known or not prominent.

1 The work has been done.

2 My computer has been stolen.
3 I was invited to the wedding party.

Change the Voice

Simple present tense

1 Samskruthi eats a mango.

2 A mango is eaten by Preiritha.
3 The students eat mangoes.
4 Mangoes are eaten by the students.
Present continuous tense
1 Preiritha is eating a mango.
2 A mango is being eaten by Preiritha.
3 The students are eating mangoes.
4 Mangoes are being eaten by the students.

Present perfect tense

1 Preiritha has eaten a mango.

2 A mango has been eaten by Preiritha.
3 The students have eaten mangoes.
4 Mangoes have been eaten by the students.

Simple past tense

1 Nishchitha wrote a letter.

2 A letter was written Nishchitha.
3 The children wrote letters.
4 Letters were written by the children.

Past continuous tense

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1 Nishchitha was writing a letter.
2 A letter was being written by Nishchitha.
3 The children were writing letters.
4 Letters were being written by the children.

Past perfect tense

1 Nishchitha had written a letter.

2 A letter had been written byNishchitha.
3 The children had written letters.
4 Letters had been written by the children.

Simple future tense

1 Prakruthi will write a letter.

2 A letter will be written by Prakruthi.
3 I shall write a letter.
4 A letter shall be written by me.

Modals

1 Samskruthi may write a letter.

2 A letter may be written by Samskruthi.
3 Ankitha can eat an apple.
4 An apple can be eaten by Ankitha.
5 You must take antibiotics.
6 Antibiotics must be taken by you.

In some sentences the verb may have two objects, one (direct) and the other(indirect). In
these circumstances an active sentence can be changed into passive voice in two different
ways such as:

1 Parinitha wrote a letter to me.

2 A letter was written to me by Parinitha.
3 I was written a letter by Parinitha.
4 I teach grammar to the students.
5 Grammar is taught by me to the students.
6 The students are taught grammar by me.
7 He has given her a present.
8 A present has been given to her by him
9 She has been given a present by him.

Some more examples for active and passive voice.

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1 Let’s open the door.
2 Let the door be open.
3 Some body wrote a letter to her.
4 A letter was written to her.
5 Who killed the cat?
6 By whom was the cat killed?
7 Could you give a pen?
8 Could a pen be given to me?
9 Could I be given a pen?
10 Why did he write a letter?
11 Why was a letter written by him?
12 Will he do the work?
13 Will the work be done by him?
14 Some body has turned off the light.
15 The light has been turned off.
16 Who has done this?
17 By whom has this been done?
18 Who teaches you English?
19 By whom is English taught to you?
20 By whom are you taught English?
21 One must follow his principles.
22 Principles must be followed.
23 When will you do the work?
24 When will the work be done?
25 They say there is water in the moon.
26 It is said that there is water in the moon.
27 People say that there will be third global war soon.
28 It is said that there will be third global war soon.
29 I can’t deny that he is a class player.
30 It can’t be denied that he is a class player.
31 Circumstances forced him to join the army.
32 He was forced to join the army.
33 Open the door.
34 Let the door be opened.
35 Who is doing the work?
36 By whom is the work being done.
37 Who was writing a letter?
38 By whom was the letter being written.
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