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The Lost Child By Mulk ​

Raj Anand

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About the author ​

Mulk Raj Anand who was born on 12th December 1905 was an Indian writer and he was known for his depiction of the lives of the poor in traditional Indian society. He is considered as one of the pioneers of Indo-Anglian fiction he was one of the First India-based writers in English to gain an International readership. He is admired for his novels and short stories which are noted for their perceptive insight into the lives of the oppressed and their analyses of impoverishment exploitation and misfortune. Some of his important works are Untouchable, Coolie and to leaves and Bud he was honoured of the padma Bhushan. He died on 28th september 2004.

Q&A (1-7) ​

Q1. Where did the Parents sit and what happened there? ​

Ans: The Parents seated themselves on the edge of a well in the shade of a grove. When the Parents hailed the child to come to them, he ran towards them, as the child entered the grove a shower of young flowers fell upon the child. The child began to gather the raining petals in his hands but as he heard the cooing of doves he ran towards his Parents he shouted "The dove! The dove!" the raining petals dropped from his forgotten hands.

Q2. What did the child do when he did not find his Parents? ​

Ans: When the child did not find his Parents, a deep cry rows within his dry throught he ran from where he stood crying in fear, tears rolled down from his eyes. he ran in all directions knowing not where to go he wailed his yellow-turban. came untied and his clothes became muddy having run for a while, he stood defeated his cries suppressed into sobs there were many men and women talking but there was no sign of his parents among those people.

Q3. Describe the different feelings of the child in the fair? ​

Ans: Firstly, the child was attracted by the toys then he was fascinated by the dragon-flys then he began to gather the raining petals in his hands when he came to a sweet shop. He wanted to eat Burfi, as it was his favourite sweet - then he was drawn to the garlands of gulmohur then he was carried away by the rainbow coloured balloons he was also attracted by the snake-charmer and the round about. These are all the things which attracted him and which he wanted to possess but, when he was separated from his parents he did not like anything except his parents.

Q4. Why do you think the child suppresses his desire for toys, sweets and night rides when he is with his parents? What does this reveal about his understanding of his parents? ​

Ans: The child suppresses his desires because he knows his parents won't buy them for him and will likely scold him for asking. This reveals that he understands his parents strict and practical nature and has "learned to anticipate their negative reactions”. He knows that his desires are secondary to their will.

Q5. How does the child's attitude toward material things (toys, sweets, balloons), change after he is separated from his parents? What lesson about human values does the story teach us here? ​

Ans: After being separated from his parents, the child's attitude toward material things completely changes the things he had longed for now hold no meaning for him. He strongly rejects the stranger's offers of sweets, rides and toys, as his only desires his Parents reveals a more fundamental "lostness" - The loss of his sense of self and belonging, which is a state of being lost in a more profound, existential sense.

Q6. Discuss the role of the stranger in the story? Why does the child refuse all that he offers. (sweets, toys and rides)? ​

Ans: The stranger acts as a kind and compassionate figure who tries to console the lost child. He represents a stark contrast to the child’s parents, offering him everything the child had previously desired. The child refuses the offers his fear and sense of loss have completely overwhelmed his earlier desires the material things are no longer important, all he wants mow that the comfort and security of his parents.

Q7. The festival setting is described with great detail and vivid imagery. How does the joys atmosphere of the fair contrast with the child’s sense of fear and loss? ​

Ans: Is to be re-united with his parents this teaches the lesson that the value of human relationships and love is far greater than the value of material possessions. Value of Relationships > Value of Possessions

A) The joys atmosphere of the fair serves as a powerful contrast to the child's fear and loss. The vibrant colours, music and laughter of the fair initially captivate the child but after he is separated from his parents the same sights and sounds become terrifying and meaningless. The happiness of the crowd highlight his profound loneliness and distress making his sense of being lost even more acute.

B) What is the significance of the title The Lost Child? Do you think the story is about only a child lost in a fair? Does it symbolise something deeper about human life and relationships?

C) The title "The Lost Child" has both a literal and a symbolic significance. Literally, it refers to the child who is physically lost in the fair. Symbolically, it represents a deeper truth about human life and relationships. The story suggests that without the security of love and family, all other worldly desires and possessions are meaningless. The child's loss of his Parents. Is a metaphor for the loss of security and belonging that all humans experience at some point in their lives. The fair, with its distractions and temptations, represents the world and its fleeting pleasures.

The story highlights the importance of human connection and the devastating consequences of isolation==. The child's journey through the fair is a microcosm of the human experience, reminding us that true happiness lies not in material possessions but in the love and support of others.

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