Breakdown of Chapter Three – The Vendor of Sweets
1. Jagan’s Concern About Mali
The chapter opens with Jagan expressing his worries about Mali, who
has been displaying "strange notions." Jagan is troubled by Mali’s
behavior and decisions, especially regarding his education. This concern
sets the tone for the discussion between Jagan and his cousin.
2. Jagan’s Views on Education
Jagan strongly believes that education is essential. He had always
hoped Mali would become a graduate, as he considers it a basic
qualification for success. However, he also reflects on his own past,
admitting that he never completed his B.A.
He sighs that if he had passed the B.A., he could have achieved many
things.
His regret is evident, yet he tries to justify his failure by saying he
left college due to Gandhi’s call for non-cooperation.
The narration reveals that Jagan actually failed multiple times and had
already stopped attending college before Gandhi’s movement, exposing
his tendency to glorify his past.
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3. The Cousin’s Cautious Approach
Jagan’s cousin listens carefully and avoids openly criticizing Mali.
Instead, he takes a diplomatic approach, suggesting that they should
first understand Mali’s thoughts before judging his actions.
The cousin subtly remarks about the flaws in the education system,
implying that education may not always be the right path for everyone.
He advises Jagan to speak to Mali directly to understand his
perspective instead of making assumptions.
4. Jagan’s Challenge to the Cousin
Instead of following his cousin’s advice, Jagan challenges him to talk to
Mali instead. He argues that Mali has known the cousin since childhood
and even used to call him "uncle."
This shows Jagan’s reluctance to communicate directly with his son,
highlighting the emotional distance between them.
The cousin responds humorously, saying that Mali is the only one who
doesn’t refer to him as "cousin," and they both laugh.
5. Themes Highlighted in the Chapter
Generational Conflict – Jagan and Mali represent the clash between
traditional values and modern ideas. Jagan expects Mali to follow a
conventional path, while Mali seems to be making independent choices.
Parental Expectations – Jagan has high hopes for Mali, which adds to
his disappointment when Mali’s actions don’t align with his expectations.
Self-Deception – Jagan presents himself as a heroic figure who
sacrificed education for a noble cause, but the narration hints that he
actually failed on his own.
Caution vs. Directness – The cousin is careful and diplomatic, while
Jagan is more emotional and defensive.
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Conclusion
Chapter Three deepens the reader’s understanding of Jagan’s
personality—his regrets, his strong beliefs about education, and his
struggles in dealing with Mali. The cousin acts as a neutral observer,
trying to balance the conversation, but Jagan’s reluctance to talk to
Mali directly reveals a strained father-son relationship. This chapter
sets the stage for further conflict and character development in the
novel.
Section B type question
The Vendor of Sweets (Chapter Three)
The conversation was proceeding smoothly thus, when Jagan said
abruptly, "Mali is displaying strange notions."
The cousin opened his eyes widely to register the appro-priate
reaction, not being certain how critical he could sound of Mali. Jagan
explained. The cousin suddenly assumed a definite stand and said, "It'd
be best to know what the boy is thinking, our educational methods
being what they are today." You could always hit education if you had
no other target.
"I was always hoping that he'd be a graduate and that's the basic
qualification one should have, don't you think so?" Jagan added with a
sigh, "If I had passed the B.A., I could have done so many other
things."
"But it was not to be, and yet what's lacking in your pres-ent state?"
"I had to leave the college when Gandhi ordered us to non-cooperate. I
spent the best of my student years in prison," said Jagan, feeling
heroic, his reminiscent mood slurring over the fact that he had failed
several times in the B.A., had ceased to attend the college, and had
begun to take his examinations as a private candidate, long before the
call of Gandhi. "But what excuse can these boys have for refus-ing to
study?" he asked.
The cousin, ever a man of caution, repeated, "It's worth finding out
from the boy himself. Why didn't you have a talk with him?"
"Why don't you?" asked Jagan in a tone of pointless chal-lenge, and
added sentimentally, "He has called you 'uncle' ever since he could lisp
the syllable."
"The only person to whom I'm not a cousin," said the gen-tleman, and
both of them laughed.
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Questions Based on the Passage:
1. Who is Jagan?
2. Who is Mali, and what has he done that concerns Jagan?
3. Why does Jagan regret not completing his B.A.?
4. How does Jagan justify his own lack of formal education?
5. Why does the cousin suggest talking to Mali directly?
6. What does the passage reveal about Jagan’s views on education?
7. Do you think Jagan is being fair in comparing his situation with
Mali’s? Why or why not?
8. How does the cousin handle the conversation about Mali, and what
does this reveal about his personality?
Extract from The Vendor of Sweets (Chapter Three)
"The college," completed Jagan, almost afraid lest the man should
blunder into saying "school" again.
The cousin took the hint and said, "College, college, and of course
college. The very word drives him crazy, although you like it so much.
He hates his lessons; he hates his syllabus and all his books. The very
thought infuriates him. Do you know what he did? He had his
class-books in his hand. I had ordered dosais for him and we were
waiting. He suddenly tore up the pages of his books savagely, beckoned
an attend-ant, and said, 'Put these in the fire in the kitchen.'"
"Could you not stop him? Didn't you tell him that books must be
treated respectfully, being a form of the goddess Saraswathi? How
could this boy ever pass his B.A.?"
"I don't know," said the cousin reflectively. "It didn't oc-cur to me to
argue with him, that's all; what use would it be anyway?"
"Are you also mad?" cried Jagan. "Don't you see.." The cousin said, "No.
When he tore the books it seemed very appropriate, our education
being what it is...."
"Oh, stop it. I hope you have not been telling him things."
The cousin ignored this insinuation and said, "Do you know what he said
after sending his books to the fire? He made up a verse on the spot:
'Let us show gratitude to the Great Fire that consumes our horrid
books' or something."
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Questions Based on the Extract:
1. What word does Jagan insist on using instead of "school"?
2. Who is Mali, and what does he do with his class books?
3. Where does Mali send the torn pages of his books?
4. What is Jagan’s reaction when he hears about Mali’s actions?
5. What reason does Jagan give for respecting books?
6. Why does the cousin believe it was "appropriate" for Mali to tear his
books?
7. What does Mali’s verse suggest about his views on education?
8. How does the passage highlight the difference in attitudes between
Jagan and Mali?
