ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -’ The theme of the short story “The Mark of Vishnu” by Khushwant Singh is riddance of superstition. The main character, Gunga Ram, is both superstitious and ignorant. He believes that by leaving a saucer full of milk for the snake to drink, he is protecting the household from snake bites.

Detailed explanation-2: -The main characters in the short story “The Mark of Vishnu” by Khushwant Singh are Gunga Ram and the four schoolboys. Gunga Ram is a servant in the household where the schoolboys live. The four brothers go to school and receive a formal education.

Detailed explanation-3: -The servant Gunga Ram, though a Brahmin was illiterate and full of superstition. He believes in the trinity Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, -the creator, the preserver and the destroyer. He is the devotee of Vishnu. And therefore, he smears his forehead every morning with V mark sandalwood paste to honour Vishnu.

Detailed explanation-4: -The first symbol is the tilak on Vishnu’s forehead, which is essentially a straight line drawn vertically upwards. The second symbol is the wheel or chakra in his right hand. The third symbol is the shankha or conch-shell. The first symbol or tilak indicates a clear direction.

Detailed explanation-5: -Theme and Summary of the story The Mark Of Vishnu Gunga Ram is a believer in Vishnu and believes that all living creatures should be protected even it those creatures like Kala Nag (cobra) may be dangerous.