English Teacher’s Mystic Communication With His Dead Wife

R K Narayan’s novel ‘The English Teacher’ can be divided into two parts. The first three chapters constitute the first part. It depicts the happy conjugal life of the teacher Krishna. The second part narrates the strange episodes of the teacher’s mystic communication with his dead wife’s spirit. The novel ends with the strange reunion between two different levels of life. Krishna begins with a spirit of revolt against colonial system of education. He ends by discarding it in favour of a new concept offered by the Headmaster. In personal life Krishna begins with the earthly romance of conjugal happiness. He ends with a mystic communication.

Krishna’s transformation is brought about by his wife’s sudden death. She has been the all and end all in his life. Her death leaves Krishna disconsolate. His hold on life seems loosened. It is brought about by two persons who come in contact with Krishna rather strangely. One is the headmaster of a children’s school who propagates a new approach to education. The other gentleman acts as a medium between him and Susila’s spirit.

A well-to-do landlord of a nearby village sends Krishna a strange message. In the solitude of his pond-side garden he happens to communicate with some supernatural power. He finds himself writing down a message being forced by something. The written message is a request to call Krishna and act as a medium for the spirit of Susila. The confused and excited Krishna runs to the spot. He is also attacked by doubts. But gradually his disbeliefs are suspended by the messages that arrive through the scribe gentleman. Most of the messages convince him of the existence of Susila.

The place of planchette is a quiet corner of a pond-side orchard. The gentleman and Krishna begin to meditate on Susila. The gentleman holds a pen ready on a paper. Soon the pen begins to move and a message is being written. Any concern of the scribe for anything other than Susila would come in the way of smooth communication. That is why Susila mentions her daughter’s name as Radha. But the spirit recounts a number of events in their conjugal life correctly. It ultimately wins Krishna’s faith. Every fortnight one communication session is held.

Krishna’s spiritual development is hastened by his decision to quit college. His profession has been a source of unrest. The school for children gives him an idea of a better system of education. He is inspired by the headmaster’s missionary zeal. He is soothed by the company of innocent children. He leaves the education that appears empty. As a tutor of children he will gain much more satisfaction and delight.

Krishna comes back to his lonely house after he is given a farewell in the college. The evening appears quiet but enlivened by a silent anticipation. A deep sense of serenity possesses him. He feels himself detached from all external affairs. He is at the end of a long search. He wakes up from this trance to find Susila at his side. They greet each other calmly and happily. Through the window they see the sunrise together.

The event of communion with the spirit of Susila gives the story a mystic dimension. The restless rebel in Krishna is chastened by the grim experience of life. He struggles against despair and looks for peace and meaning in life. He begins his life a new. The wisdom disperses the gloom and liberates him from the narrow boundary of personal grief. His soul adapts the secret harmony of life. Reunion with Susila signifies reconciliation with the spirit of life.

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1️⃣ Bring out the significance of the episodes relating to English Teacher’s communication with the spirit of his dead wife.

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