Character of Lakha
We remember Mulk Raj Anand as one of the most important novelists of Indo-Anglian literature. "Untouchable" is Mulk Raj Anand first novel which was published in 1935. It is a social novel based an the theme of the evil of untouchability in India.
Character sketch of Lakha in Untouchable written by mulk Raj Anand
As we open the novel, "Untouchable" by Mulk Raj Anand, we find Lakha as a retired oldman from the post of Jamadar over the sweepers of the of that area. After his retirement, he had handed over his charge of sweeping and cleaning public latrines to his elder son, Bakha who had grown into a adult of 18 years. His wife had already died and he was loving with his two sons, Bakha and Rakha and only one daughter name the Sohini. his character is described below:
We come across Lakha as a loving father. He could be strict from outside but he was good and kind from his inner heart. He always took care of his children feeling that their mother was no more. Once when Bakha fell ill, he ran to Hakim and fell at his feet with the request of saving his son. and give some medicine to my child really Lakha was a good and kind hearted father.
The study of "Untouchable" shows that Lakha was also as a strict father, so he wish to kept his children under his direct control. He often rebuked and abused Bakha for not going out punctually and regularly to clean the public latrines. He advised him not to displease the English and Indian soldiers by not cleaning their latrine regularly and attentively. One day he abused Bakha for returning late to the house after playing the hockey match. He ever called him the 'son of a pig'.
'Humility' was the natural of Lakha's character for belonging to the lowest caste of untouchables since birth. He had worked as a sweeper and cleaner of public latrines since birth and he had developed the trait of humility in his character. He ever advised his son Bakha and Rakha to be humble to all the upper class people and Indian soldier soldiers.
Lakha was greedy for eating tasteful food. He regarded it his privilege to get the reminders of the plates of sweets and other thing served in marriage parties of upper class and rich people, Once he rebuked his elders son, Bakha returning home only with three chapatis. Once again is younger son, Rakha brought a basketful of sweets, etc, from the house of a rich man at the time of his son's marriage. As he poured them from the basket, Lakha begin to eat very greedy.
Conclude, Rakha represented the old class of sweepers who used to do the work of sweeping and cleaning their latrines with the regularly, obedience and supreme honour. He taught the same to his both sons, Bakha and Rakha. He was the contrasting mixture of goodness for all his three children, Bakha, Rakha and Sohini.
Other Important links:
- Untouchable multiple choice Questions
- Critical Appreciation of the novel Untouchable
- Character of pandit kalinat in Untouchable
- Character sketch of Sohini
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