Questions & Answers: Leela’s Friend by RK Narayan 

“Leela’s Friend” is a short story by the renowned Indian author R.K. Narayan, known for his simple yet profound narratives set in the fictional South Indian town of Malgudi. The story delves into the themes of class disparity, innocence, and societal prejudices, encapsulated in the relationship between a young girl named Leela and her servant, Sidda.

Q: Who are the main characters in “Leela’s Friend,” and how are they introduced in the story?

A: The main characters include Leela, a five-year-old girl, and Sidda, a servant hired by Leela’s family. Leela is depicted as a curious and playful child, while Sidda is introduced as a man seeking employment, who quickly becomes Leela’s playmate and friend. Leela’s parents, Mr. Sivasanker and Mrs. Sivasanker, are also vital to the story, representing the middle-class societal attitudes of the time.

Q: What is the central conflict in “Leela’s Friend,” and how does it unfold?

A: The central conflict revolves around a gold chain that goes missing from Leela’s house. Sidda is accused of theft due to his background and the societal predisposition to distrust those from a lower economic class. This conflict unfolds as a test of Sidda’s character and the family’s trust in him, ultimately highlighting the deep-seated prejudices in society.

Q: How does the character of Sidda contribute to the themes of the story?

A: Sidda’s character is central to the exploration of themes like innocence, prejudice, and class disparity. His interactions with Leela show a pure, affectionate bond that transcends social hierarchies. However, the way he is treated by Leela’s parents, especially when the chain goes missing, brings the societal prejudices and the stigma associated with his social standing into sharp relief.

Q: Describe the relationship between Leela and Sidda. How does it defy the norms of the society they live in?

A: Leela and Sidda share a friendship that is innocent and devoid of societal biases. Leela treats Sidda with genuine affection and respect, not seeing him as a servant but as a magical figure who can conjure up moons and stories. This relationship defies societal norms as it ignores the barriers of class and caste often prevalent in Indian society, particularly during the time Narayan was writing.

Q: What role do Leela’s parents play in the story, and what do they represent?

A: Leela’s parents, particularly her mother, play the role of the typical middle-class Indian household of the era. They are initially content with Sidda because of his good work and the happiness he brings to Leela, but they are quick to suspect him when something goes wrong. They represent the societal tendency to judge individuals based on their social and economic status, rather than their character.

Q: How is the theme of innocence portrayed in “Leela’s Friend”?

A: Innocence is portrayed through the characters of Leela and Sidda. Leela is innocent due to her age and untainted perception of people, seeing only good in Sidda. Sidda’s innocence is shown through his gentle nature and his desire to bring joy to Leela, despite being aware of the social divide between them. The story contrasts their innocence with the adult world’s cynicism.

Q: What does the missing gold chain symbolize in the story?

A: The missing gold chain becomes a symbol of distrust and societal prejudice. It triggers the latent biases of Leela’s parents, leading them to accuse Sidda without concrete evidence. The chain also represents the fragility of Sidda’s position in the household, where his acceptance is contingent on the family’s perception of his honesty.

Q: How does the setting of Malgudi contribute to the story’s themes?

A: Malgudi, as a microcosm of Indian society, provides the perfect backdrop for a narrative about class and social prejudices. It is a place where every character has a well-defined social role, and deviations from these roles lead to conflict. The setting allows Narayan to explore the dynamics between different social strata in a way that is both intimate and representative of broader societal issues.

Q: In “Leela’s Friend,” how does R.K. Narayan use irony to enhance the story?

A: Narayan uses irony in several ways. The most striking is the ironic twist at the end when the gold chain is found after Sidda has been sent to jail, highlighting the injustice of his predicament. The title itself is ironic, as the friendship between Leela and Sidda is not acknowledged by the adults around them, and Sidda is ultimately punished despite being ‘Leela’s friend.’

Q: What does the resolution of the story reveal about the characters and the society they live in?

A: The resolution of the story, where the gold chain is found in the flour bin after Sidda has been taken to jail, reveals a poignant truth about the characters and their society. The parents’ quick judgment and the law’s swift action against Sidda demonstrate the societal inclination to condemn without proper investigation, especially when it concerns someone from a lower socioeconomic background. It also reveals the superficial nature of Leela’s parents’ acceptance of Sidda, which is contingent not on his character or actions but on their materialistic and prejudiced perspectives.

The society depicted in the story is quick to blame the less fortunate and fails to uphold the principles of justice and equality. The resolution forces the reader to confront the uncomfortable realities of class bias and the ease with which innocence can be overlooked in favor of societal prejudices. It also serves as a critique of a justice system that is influenced by class distinctions, often to the detriment of the underprivileged.

The characters’ reactions at the end also reflect their values and beliefs. Leela’s parents’ relief at finding the chain does not extend to concern for Sidda’s wrongful imprisonment, indicating a lack of empathy and self-reflection. In contrast, Leela’s innocent joy at the return of the chain and her obliviousness to the grave injustice done to her friend underscores the purity of her world, untainted by the biases that govern adult actions.

Through this resolution, Narayan subtly condemns the societal norms of his time, urging readers to examine their own prejudices and the way these biases can unjustly impact the lives of others. The story thus becomes a powerful commentary on the human propensity to judge and the need for a more compassionate and equitable society.