A Snake in the Grass’ by R.K.Narayan – Summary and Annotations

SRR Govt.Arts& Science College Karimnagar

 Satavahana University Karimnagar- I year English Semester-1

Unit 1.-2020-21 onwards

englishlanguage-lit.blogspot.com

R.K.Narayan is one of the greatest Indian English novelists.His subtle irony, gentle humour, indianness and lucid narrative style captivate the readers. He was honoured with  Sahithya Akademi award in the year 196o for the novel ‘The Guide’
RK.Narayan’s  short story ‘ A Snake in the Grass’ is centered around a Cobra which had entered a bungalow on  a sunny afternoon. Upon hearing the news of cobra’s  entry into the compound, the family members consisting of the mother and four sons in a great agitation,  wakes up their old lazy servant Dasa. Dasa tries to dismiss the matter but the family rebukes him to search for the snake in the bushes. Dasa cleverly counters them for not providing grass cutter for months. While all are busy in cutting bushes and creepers to find the snake, the college boy of the house gives an elaborated statistics of snake-bite deaths.
An old beggar at the gate tells the mother that God Subramanya has come to visit her. The beggar words reminds the mother about  her forgotten promise of Abhishekam to Lord Subramanya. A snake charmer appears before them and shows his skills in catching the snake. He gives his address to call him whenever they find the snake. The members of family and neighbours are tired as they have been searching for snake since afternoon.At five in the evening they sit in  the veranda to take rest. Dasa,the tricky man, appears before them carrying a  sealed water pot and claims that he has put the cobra in the pot. Dasa feeling himself  like a champion ,goes outside to leave the snake . After a while a cobra is seen by the youngest son . It crawls under the gate and disappears along the drain. The family are in a state of confusion that whether there are two snakes or Dasa has deceived them. Deceitful Dasa,  in order to retain his job, and to impress the family, cheats them cleverly. The author leaves the ending to the imagination of the readers.

The themes in the story are superstitions and tradition.It is a gentle satire on superstitious beliefs regarding snakes.

 englishlanguage-lit.blogspot.com
1.Explain the irony in the story?
The irony at the end of the story is that   Dasa ,a lazy servant ,tricked the family into believing that he had caught the cobra. Unaware of his trick, the family thought of rewarding him for his brave act.

englishlanguage-lit.blogspot.com

2. How is the title ' A Snake in the Grass' significant?

It is an apt title. The title is not mean to be  taken literally. A snake in the grass is used as  a metaphor in the story. Dasa, the servant is a decietful person, who decieves his employer to save his job. the author compares Dasa with the venoumous snake indirectly. 

englishlanguage-lit.blogspot.com

Annotations

1.“A big cobra has got into your compound. It crossed my wheel.”
Reference-These lines are taken from the short story ‘A Sanke in the Grass’ written by R.K.Narayan. R.K.Narayan (1906-2001) is one of the most widely read  Indian writers of English. His subtle irony, gentle humour, indianness and narrative style captivate the readers. He was honored with  Sahithya Akademi award in the year 196o for the  novel ‘The Guide’. His famous novels are ‘Man eater of Malgudi,Swami and friends and The Vendor of Sweets.
 Context:-  On a  sunny afternoon ,a cyclist rings the bell at the gate crazily  and announces that a big cobra has entered their compound. Upon hearing the news of cobra’s  entry into the compound, the family members consisting of the mother and four sons in a great agitation,  wakes up their old lazy servant Dasa
Meaning :-After making the announcement, the cyclist moves on. The family reprimands servant Dasa to hunt the snake, when he dismisses the matter.  All the members of the family along with some neighbours swing into action.

2. If you show me the sanke, I"ll at once catch it. Otherwise what can i do? The moment you see it again, send for  me. I live nearby."

Reference:-  These lines are taken from R.K. Narayan's short story ' A Snake in the Grass'.  R.K.Narayan (1906-2001) is one of the most widely read  Indian writers of English. His subtle irony, gentle humour, indianness and narrative style captivate the readers. He was honored with  Sahithya Akademi award in the year 196o for the  novel ‘The Guide’. His famous novels are ‘Man eater of Malgudi,Swami and friends and The Vendor of Sweets.

Context:-

these lines are spoken by the snake charmer to the inmates of the bungalow. the snake charmer appears before the gate and speaks to the gathering about his power over snakes.

Meaning :- Snake charmer presents a demo before them and says that he would catch the snake, if they showed it. He gives his name and address and ask them to call him, if they see the snake again.

Rajesh Kumar.englishlanguage-lit.blogspot.com

For video lesson in English click the below link

https://youtu.be/WnOOKO0CdaM

For video lesson in Telugu

https://youtu.be/3Hc_2WSVb6A

S. Rajesh Kumar