An Astrologer's Day by RK Narayan Summary & Exercise [Question Answer]

An Astrologer's Day by RK Narayan Summary & Exercise [Question Answer]

Introduction to Astronomer's Day

"An Astrologer's Day" is a story about a man who runs away from his home and pretends to be an astrologer after imagining that he has committed a murder. In a strange situation, an ironic twist of fate, he runs into the very man he thought he had killed. discussion. This short story "An Astronomer's Day" was written by  Indian writer R.K. Narayan. "Astrologers Day" is a  suspense thriller depicting a day in the life of an astrologer; a normal but false astrologer. The main character in this story is an astrologer but the name of the astrologer is not given. He makes a living by making prophecies and selling knowledge of the universe. A villager who is easily fooled, even though he is unaware of the universe and real spiritual insights.  This story depicts a very typical situation of an astrologer facing his past.  biography. Here he was able to save his life by doing the right thing ghostly. In this story, we will find various themes related to humanity as hypocrisy. Cunning, revenge, selfishness.

Main Summary of An Astrologer’s Day

This short story An Astrologer's Day was written by the famous Indian writer R.K. Narayan. This story presented a wonderful mix of suspense and surprise. This story was published in 1947. The story is full of Malugudi, a city near Madras in southern India. The main character in this story is an unknown astrologer.“The Astrologer’s Day” is a short story that deals with a day in the life of an ordinary but fake astrologer. The setting of the story is a town, Malgudi which is located in South India, near Madras. It is not a story of contemporary times but pre-independence times. The story opens at midday.

The story begins with an explanation of this astrologer sitting under a tamarind tree on Town Hall Road and selling prophecies to deceived people. He delicately decorates his store by arranging Cypraea shells, mysterious astrological charts, Palmyra scriptures and more. He perfectly represents the sacred ashes and vermilion on his forehead. His dress and Safran turban present him as a wise astrologer. He is a realistic fake astrologist. He works hard in his assumption to meet his customers. One day he encounters Guru Nayak in the evening. Guru Nayak is looking for a satisfactory answer from an astrologer. Master Nayak makes a bet and promises a rupee to the astrologer. Guru Nayak does not recognize an astrologer in the evening. Astrologers tell Grunayak various facts. He mentions his past incidents, his name and address, and the death of the perpetrator. 

Finally, the astrologer advises him to return to his hometown immediately for safety. The astrologer gets Anna for 12 and a half years from Grunayak. At home, the astrologer reveals his past events to his wife. The astrologer himself has attacked Guru Nayak in the past. Fearing murder, he spent years away from his home village. But after persuading Guru Nayak, he feels pretty good free from the burden of his life.

Analysis of Astrologers Day

"An Astrologer's Day" has a deceptively simple plot, although the full significance of the story becomes evident only after a second or even third reading. Part of the difficulty arises from the fact that the author deliberately avoids markers that would benefit the reader: there is no clear indication of where the story occurs or when it does, although it is possible to make an educated guess about both. The story begins almost in media res (in the middle) and concludes on what appears to be an ambiguous note. But, in fact, the story is a tightly knit one in which all parts fit together.

"An Astrologer's Day" begins with a general description of an astrologer, who is one of many street vendors, except for the fact that he has a distinct aura of holiness and power. He is working in a busy, unnamed city, and the author establishes that, in reality, he is a charlatan with no special powers other than the keen ability to judge character. The astrologer is about to return to his home at the end of the day when he is stopped by an unusually aggressive customer. The customer insists that the astrologer tell him the truth about his life and that if he does not, he should return his (the customer's) money, along with extra, as payment for having lied. The astrologer, realizing that he will most likely be exposed, tries to get out of the deal, but the customer is adamant.

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The story takes an unexpected turn, when, unbeknownst to the customer, the astrologer recognizes him and tells him about something that happened in the past. Calling the customer by name, the astrologer recounts how the customer had once been stabbed and left for dead but had been saved by a bystander. The astrologer tells the customer that he must stop looking for the man who stabbed him so long ago because to do so would be dangerous, and anyway, the perpetrator is dead. The customer, not recognizing the astrologer, is impressed that he should know about his past.

When the astrologer goes home, his wife asks about his day. He tells her that he has been relieved of a great load; he had once thought that he had killed someone but had today discovered that the victim as well and very much alive. The wife is mystified, but the astrologer goes to bed for an untroubled night of sleep.

An Astrologer's Day by RK Narayan Exercise

Understanding the Text 

Answer the following questions

a. How does the astrologer’s appearance help him attract customers? How does he help the customers satisfy their needs? 

➥The astrologer right here on this tale is a shrewd person, he continually prepares nicely earlier than beginning a commercial enterprise, readorning his commercial enterprise via way of means of setting numerous astrological equipment like cowrie shells, mystical astrological charts, Palmyra scriptures, etc. on his rectangular piece of cloth. He wears holy ash and vermilion on his brow and a saffron-coloured turban on his head. His eyes are continuously attempting to find his clients. He clothes like an astrologer. His appearance assists him in introducing himself as an expert astrologer. Because of his appealing appearance, maximum of the customers accept as true within him and go to him to listen to his predictions and he facilitates his customers via way of means of making assumptions approximately their past, gift and destiny life, relationships, marriage, money, troubles, etc. He listens to the troubles of his clients for ten mins, in much less than 5 mins he receives many clues asks them questions, way to his a few years of exercise and experience. He continually attempts to make matching assumptions and facilitates his clients to meet their needs.

b. How do you characterise the astrologer’s attitude toward the stranger? 

➥Here in the story Astrologer's Day astrologer's activities provide him with the necessary rewards for the smooth functioning of his family. He started his business at noon and is working hard to make money with a wise heart. His presentation is welcome. When he sees a stranger standing in front of him, he sees him as a potential customer. During the closing hours, deepen your idea of ​​inviting him instead of moving to his house. This shows his greedy attitude. The way he deals with strangers proved his notion of being money-oriented. He does his best to convince strangers about money. He doesn't know astrology, but he does his best to please strangers with his guess just for money. His persuasive work against strangers also shows his false attitude. He advises strangers to move home immediately and shows his stupidity and hypocrisy in his attitude.

c. What details does the astrologer give the stranger about his past?

➥The astrologer gives the stranger various shocking details about the past events of his life, tells the stranger various things precisely because he has a chance to see his face. The astrologer recognizes him when a stranger lights his cigar. Aside from the trick, Guru Nayak cannot recognize an astrologer. The astrologer tells him about his past event and says that he was attacked by a stranger with a knife on his chest. He even gives him his name and address. He informs him of the culprit's death four months ago. After all, the astrologer very tactfully advises him to move to his hometown immediately to ensure the safety of his life. 

d. Why does he advise the stranger to go home immediately? 

➥The astrologer is a very smart person. In the past, he was even suspected of criminal offences. A stranger he met during the day was a criminal named Guru Nayak. When an astrologer recognizes someone as Guru Nayak, he tries to get rid of mental stress. The astrologer himself tried to kill Guru Nayak. When he saw Guru Nayak in Margudi, he trembled. When he knows the intention of Guru Nayak, he tries to move him back to the north. He didn't want to see Guru Nayak again. He wanted to live a life without fear in Malgudi. He told him about the possible dangers in the life of strangers and suggested going home immediately. 

e. What is your reaction to the conversation between the astrologer and his wife? 

➥I am very happy that this astrologer got rid of his guilt and fear and made some money that day. I am surprised that these people lead a simple lifestyle. The coins collected by an astrologer in one day are enough to keep them alive until the next day.

Reference to The Context 

a. Suspense is the feeling of anticipation you may have as you read. In this story, what details contributed to your feelings of suspense and surprise? Explain. 

➥This story is a wonderful combination of suspense and surprise. The story begins with an explanation of the astrologer and his activities. When a stranger appears in front of the astrologer in the evening, the astrologer sees him as his potential client and expects a satisfying answer. The astrologer tells him various facts from his life during his prophecies, he gives him exact details of his past events, his name and address, and these very details surprised me. Strangers are too excited and happy, but they feel some kind of tension. The question "what exactly did he answer?" Comes to mind. This particular tension is astonishing after dinner when the astrologer tells his wife the details of his past. Here is the answer to my tension. The details of the astrologer's story solved the mystery of suspense and surprised me and all readers.

b. Analyze the conflicts in “An Astrologer’s Day.” Explain how the conflicts are resolved and what they reveal about the characters involved in the story. 

➥Conflicts arise in the story when a stranger appears as a client of the astrologer on the site to consult him, the astrologer packs up his things and is ready to call him one day. When the stranger smokes his cigar, he sees his face in the light of the game, and for some obscure reason, the astrologer feels uncomfortable and refuses the challenge, but is forced to say something to the stranger in order to please him. He is surprised when the astrologer tells him about his past life and agrees to stop looking for his enemy who would have been knocked down under a truck. The astrologer guarantees a safe life in the future. 

c. “All right. I will speak. But will you give me a rupee if what I say is convincing? Otherwise, I will not open my mouth, and you may do what you like.” 

i. Who is the speaker? 

➥The speaker is the astrologer. 

ii. Who is he speaking to? 

➥He is speaking to Guru Nayak. 

iii. What does the expression ‘open my mouth’ mean? 

➥The expression "open your mouth" means conveying convincing information about the stranger. 

d. Description helps readers visualize what is happening in a story. What details and techniques does the author use to describe the astrologer? 

➥The author of this story uses various details and narrative techniques to describe the protagonist of the astrologer. From beginning to end, the author uses various details in his narrative to tell the story. He talked about the astrologer's past, his daily life, business and his smart calculations with customers, his business preparation, meetings with Guru Nayak and conversations with his wife. The author introduced every detail of the astrologer and aroused curiosity and surprise with his narrative skills. 

e. Irony is a contrast between appearances and reality. What is ironic about Guru Nayak’s meeting with the astrologer? 

➥The irony of the situation centres around the meeting of Guru Nayak’s meeting with the astrologer. Here we find Guru Nayak, who asks the astrologer about the perpetrator who once stabbed him in the chest with a knife. He doesn't know that the culprit is the astrologer. The darkness and the astrologer rise, Guru Nayak cannot recognize him. The lifelong burden for the astrologer is the murder of Guru Nayak. He is quite surprised to find Guru Nayak alive. The information from the perpetrator makes Guru Nayak feel satisfied. The astrologer's ruse is very ironic. Here the victim turns to the perpetrator to find the right solution. Finally, Guru Nayak feels good to hear the prophecies of the (guilty) astrologer. Here both characters finally feel good. 

f. How does the astrologer’s manner of dress suit his character? 

➥The main character of the story is an astrologer. The first part of the story describes the clothes and appearance that an astrologer wears when performing his duties. He is usually disguised as an astrologer, and his forehead is illuminated with holy ashes and vermilion. He wears a saffron turban around his head,  and his clothes and appearance suit his personality and are central to his charm. The astrologer has a clever way to easily trick his clients and get the job done. He does a functional analysis of human problems.

Reference Beyond the Text 

a. The astrologer attracts many customers in the street who are pleased and astonished by what he tells them. What does this tell you about the people of the town walking in the street? 

➥The main character here in this story is an astrologer. His astrology business depends on his astrological tools, his sense of dress, and his guesswork. The way he dresses suits his character. He's pretty smart in his astrology business. He dresses perfectly as an astrologer, his saffron turban and dress help him a lot in attracting his customers. He is delicately presented so that his customers will believe that his dress' savvy makes his customers consider him a wise astrologer. 

b. Why do most people want to know their future? Do you think astrologers can really help them know their future? 

➥Most people want to know their future because they are very curious about their happiness, the problems ahead, and their safety. Yes, real astrologers with real astrological knowledge can help you see your future. 

c. Is astrology a good practice of fortune-telling or is it just blind faith? Give reasons. 

➥Yes, astrology is good divination. In Eastern societies, most people practice and believe in divination. It is said that astrology is the best part of human life. The practice of astrology is seen in various life events. In Eastern societies, people believe a lot in astrology. People find the right solutions to their problems through astrology. Astrological prophecies have also been proven true in many cases.