Analyse af Khushwant Singhs 'Karma'

Numerous nations have been greatly impacted by the British Empire. The British had a significant influence on India's economic and social growth when they colonized it in 1858. How did this affect the Indian population and its cultural identity? In the short story "Karma" (1950) by Khushwant Singh, we are introduced to Sir Mohan Lal, who has chosen to renounce his faith and country to try to fit in with British culture. The short story deals with cultural identity as its main theme since it follows the struggle to fit in.

Sir Mohan Lal is trying to leave his identity and culture behind, so he can fit into

British society and norms. Sir Mohan Lal is the main character in the text. He is 50 years old and has a trimmed mustache, and he wears a suit from Savile Row, which is an English brand. He grew up in India, where he lived for 45 years, but after Britain colonized India, he was sent to England to learn English and go to school. He has been at Oxford for four years. Sir Mohan Lal is very proud to be able to speak English, he is so proud that he now refuses to speak Hindustani and refuses to have anything to do with their faith. He is self-absorbed, which can be seen at the beginning of the text when he talks to himself in the mirror “You are a bit of all right, old chap, it said. ‘Distinguished, efficient- even handsome.” (p.104. ll.11-12) Here he talks himself up, which he does repeatedly throughout the text. This could indicate that he is not resting in himself and his beliefs, and therefore tries to be something he is not. He focuses a lot on being like the British, so they notice him. He reads the same English newspaper repeatedly, “The Times”, where he intentionally folds the newspaper in a certain way. “He would fold it in a way in which the name of the paper was visible to others while he did the crossword puzzle.” (p.106. lll. 30-33) This indicates that he does it to gain approval from the British, and it indicates that he is putting on a whole show just to impress the British. However, when the soldiers enter the train, they do not see his facade. They see him for who he is, which is an Indian. In the end, karma catches up with Sir Mohan Lal, and the soldiers throw him off the train.