The Relationship Between Jagan and Mali, and the Conflict Between Tradition and Modernity, in The Vendor of Sweets D.P. Amila Dissanayake. 9th Grade

Tradition vs Modernity is a deep rooted battle between old and young generations specifically in South Asian context. It is important to discuss the conflict between tradition and modernity since it plays a major theme in most of R.K. Narayan’s novels. In most of his novels, the modern ones often find unacceptable people’s faith in traditional values as old–fashioned, out-dated and improper for the present day situations. Similarly, the traditionalists reject the modern outlook as an imitation of the Western mode which, when followed in Indian society, looks eccentric and totally unnecessary. By contrasting these two extremes of Indian life the writer paints a picture of traditional Malgudi and their characters’ attempt in disrupting deep rooted traditional values and finally how it leads to a tragic end. In the Vendor of Sweets also the conflict between the old and the new socio-cultural ethos are symbolized by the actions and attitudes of Jagan and his son Mali. While Jagan represents the old generation, his son Mali represents the desire for gaining a lot of money as the sole passion of the new generation. So it is quite necessary to dig into further grounds on the two extremes of Tradition and Modernity by analyzing...