One might wonder why this particular lesson has been a part of the CBSE English syllabus for grade eleven. The purpose, however, becomes clear after one reads the lesson to look for important themes, messages, motifs and metaphors highlighted by the author.
Perhaps the most important reason why one should read Ranga's Marriage is that it explores an important theme that is associated with the increasing cultural gaps existing between rural (countryside) areas and the urban areas of the country. The impact of language has been explored at length and it has been highlighted when he describes how when a woman came to Ranga's house, with firewood, he, Ranga asked her how much he owed her. to which she replied "Four pice' to which he answered he did not have any "change" and that she should come the next day. We further learn that the ' poor woman did not understand the English word "change" and went away muttering to herself."
Culture shock is an important theme that Iyenger explores in depth in the lesson. He talks about Ranga's homecoming as a big event because he gone to Bangalore for his studies and the people wanted to see whether his stay in Bangalore had effected a change in him. Surprisingly the people who had arrived to see Ranga noticed that he was still the same. An old lady looked into his eyes ad said that the sacred thread he had worn was still there and that he had not "lost his caste".
Masti Venkatesha Iyenger explores the cultural disconnect that exists in the country between the village and the city and how the introduction of English has (according to some) given the speakers airs, a sense of superiority and a smattering of 'attitude'. But then, Masti Venkatesha proves that neither modern education, nor life in the city, nor even the learning of English keep Ranga safe from falling in love with Ratna or even the clever schemes of the village match-maker.
Ranga’s Marriage brings out the resilience and robustness of our culture and it suggests that below all that superficiality and hypocrisy of the so called ‘English-speaking’ children lie strong unbreakable ties that connect us to our culture. Ranga’s marriage, thus, celebrates the triumph one’s native culture over an external culture. It celebrates holding on to one’s roots, one’s culture, language and even expressing pride in it.
The short story is written in a humorous style, and Venkatesha Iyengar brings out that idea that Astrologers’ predictions might be based more on hearsay, conjecture and pure guess work than from the study of stars. Thus, when the narrator convinces Ranga to accompany him on a visit to Shastri, the Astrologer, it is a planed deception something that the narrator had prepared for with the astrologer beforehand. The Shastri makes a show of guessing that what is troubling Ranga is a girl called Ratna, though he doesn’t arrive at the name of Ratna directly. Later Ranga ‘admitted, “There’s greater truth in that Shastri than we imagine.” He is convinced that he and Ratna were made for each other.
It is true, however, that we have now moved a long way from the way marriage is arranged in the society today. However, in many parts of the country, marriages are fixed with the help of match-makers, and yes, the minimum age limit for men and women has been fixed. People today log in to online matchmaking sites where they can look at prospective life partners while maintaining anonymity.
The narrator of the short story appears to be a person wise in his years. He is confident and knows how to handle young people. Shyama, for that it’s the name of the narrator, is a humorous, pleasant, wise, village elder and also Ranga’s and Ratna’s son’s Godfather.
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