The Guide Essay Questions

Is Raju a transformed man by the end of the novel?

Raju seems to be a transformed man at the very end of the novel due to the imagery of water as purification. The author keeps the novel open-ended, though, as the readers can freely interpret what actually happened as Raju felt that the rain was coming and sagged down. He could have died right there and it could have rained, or he could have lived and it could have never rained, or there are a few more possibilities in between. Raju may have died as the hypocrite he always was and the message may be how some imposters fool people in the name of religion; or, Raju may have lived and the rain could stand for the purification of his soul.

Is Velan a mere fool or a major accessory to Raju’s transformation?

Velan seems like a fool throughout the novel being largely manipulated by Raju. But in the last section of the novel, Velan’s reaction to Raju’s early life story full of dishonesty and hypocrisy might have spurred the real upheaval of morality in Raju. He trusted Velan with his past life’s secrets even with the risk of blowing his cover, which makes Velan a very close friend of Raju. He was only pretending to be fasting for a few days but Velan’s sincere faith in Raju may have encouraged him to be sincere about something in his life for once, thus forgetting his own interest. This self-realization must have played a huge part in Raju’s salvation (if he was saved). Different interpretations of the ending may present Velan in different lights: had Raju been saved, Velan was the key but had Raju somehow lied his way out of it, Velan was a fool.

What does Rosie's fate say about her as a character?

Rosie ends up successful, on her own, and continuing to flourish. As Mani tells Raju, "She had settled down at Madras and was looking after herself quite well... What a huge crowd had gathered to see her off" (182). Rosie doesn't need Marco and she doesn't need Raju. She did everything above board by paying off Raju and her debts, and set Raju adrift. She knows that she does not need a man, especially one who does not value her or treat her well. Her fame is her own to manage now; she can perform as often or as little as she wants. She can hobnob with whomever she pleases without being treated like property. Rosie is a mid-century feminist example in that respect, for she is true to herself, sloughs off the irrelevant men around her, and makes her own life. Her natural effervescence and energy can now express themselves without fetters.

Is Narayan saying there are really divine/paranormal forces at work?

Like many aspects of Narayan's novel, there are some ambiguities and questions to be answered. One of them is whether or not Narayan is actually saying that Raju is a holy man who has the power to influence divine forces to send rain. Narayan seems to be straddling both sides of the fence: this is a Hindu fable, but also a novel about modernity. Critic John Thieme posits, "Thus as a Hindu fable The Guide is inscrutably enigmatic, but it does allow for the possibility that paranormal forces. allied with ancient beliefs, could be efficacious in averting an ecological disaster; and it also works within the conventions of social realism." We do not know if Raju attains the status of holy man but it is possible. We do not know if God listens to him, but it is possible. Narayan allows for the principles of dharma and karma to ring true, but in the context of modernity.

What roles do dharma and karma play in the text?

Dharma is the totality of what a person is capable of, talented at, and limited by; it is not, though, enough to dictate how an individual lives and does not negate individual responsibility. There is karma, which is the law of causation in the physical and moral realm. As critic David Atkinson writes, "with the concepts of dharma and karma in mind, Narayan stresses how each individual stresses how each individual, limited by inherent capabilities but gifted with freedom of choice, determines his/her own actions and thus who he/she is." Though no one in the novel ends up totally free from carnal and material desires, there is a sense of transformation in both Rosie and Raju. Rosie decides to cut loose those who hold her back; Raju finally stops begin selfish and may attain sainthood at the end.