R.K. Narayan’s “A Career”: How to Decipher the Moral of a Story
Have you ever finished a short story and wondered what it intended to convey beyond its surface-level plot?
If so, you’ve come to the right place; we’re here to help you decode the overt to discover the subtle, to decipher the morals and meanings that authors twine into their narratives.
To do so, we’ll use “A Career” by R. K. Narayan as a practical example to help you learn how to identify the moral in any short story.
A Brief Introduction to “A Career” by R. K. Narayan
R. K. Narayan, one of the most celebrated Indian authors of the twentieth century, is renowned for his simple, unpretentious writing style and keen observations of human life in all of its mundane beauty.
His works often take place in a realm that is simultaneously fictional and deeply realistic, rooted in the fictional town of Malgudi and its very real South Indian values and culture.
“A Career” is a prime example of Narayan’s storytelling style, which subtly blends humor and realism to explore complex themes through a lens of simplicity.
“A Career” follows a young boy named Chandran as his parents push him into various potential career paths. Throughout the story, Chandran shuffles from one career option to another, driven only by the whims and expectations of his parents rather than his interests or talents.
As he grapples with internal and external motivators, Chandran reveals the disconnect between parental expectations and their children’s aspirations and abilities.
Identifying the Moral of a Short Story
Step 1: Summarize the Plot
Begin by summarizing the story’s key events to verify you understand the narrative’s scope and the primary plot points that drive it.
In “A Career,” Chandran’s journey through different career suggestions—from civil services to accountancy—sets the stage for the story’s moral exploration and sets the stage for the questions Narayan intends to introduce.
As you summarize, be sure to keep the summary concise and focus on major turning points or moments of character development that might influence, inform, or disrupt the story’s focus.
Step 2: Analyze the Characters
Characters and their development are central to deriving the moral of a story. As you read, pay close attention to how the characters interact—or don’t.
Here, consider examining how Chandran reacts to his parents’ suggestions and how these interactions frame his journey. His evolving response and eventual decisions provide clues to the story’s underlying message, hinting toward ideas like individuality and self-discovery.
Step 3: Observe the Conflict
The central conflict in a story often highlights its moral. In “A Career,” for instance, the conflict arises from the external pressure Chandran faces, which demands he conform to societal and parental expectations, as it conflicts with his internal struggle to carve his path.
Identifying and understanding this conflict—and how it maps to your understanding of the plot and the characters—can help guide you to the undercurrent of meaning that makes up the moral.
Step 4: Reflect on the Resolution
A story’s resolution also often speaks to its moral—either by explicitly clarifying what it is or by challenging what readers might assume it to be.
“A Career” concludes with Chandran finally making a decision that reflects his desires—not those imposed on him. This resolution not only indicates Chandran’s victory over collective expectations but also reinforces the moral implied throughout the novel, indicating the importance of following one’s path and the value of self-identity over societal or familial expectations.
Step 5: Consider the Author’s Purpose
Finally, consider what Narayan might have intended to convey through this story. Though you may not be able to know his true intentions, you can analyze how he positions both the story and the moral to somewhat understand his perspective.
For instance, his portrayal of Chandran’s experiences likely aims to critique societal norms regarding career and success, urging readers to value personal happiness and self-fulfillment.
Now that you know how to decipher the moral of a story, you’re ready to take on any task. But, just in case you need a little extra support, we’ve got you covered: Check out our guide on studying for literature tests, or take a peek at our steps to writing a perfect summary. And, if that still doesn’t cut it, you can find our entire how-to series here!