ASSIGNMENT

Set-2
(Analytical)
Humanism and Logic
(B21UC01SC)

1. Critically analyze Basheer's portrayal of humanity

and kindness through the characters in his short story
"Oru Manushyan". Substantiate your arguments by
referring to the story and other relevant reviews.
Critical Analysis of Humanity and Kindness in Vaikom
Muhammad Basheer's "Oru Manushyan"

INTRODUCTION
Vaikom Muhammad Basheer is one of the
most beloved literary figures in Malayalam
literature, known for his deep humanism,
humor, and keen observation of social
realities. His short story “Oru Manushyan”
(“A Man”) offers a compelling exploration of
the themes of humanity and kindness in an
indifferent, often harsh world. Set in a
foreign city, the story subtly examines how
compassion can emerge unexpectedly and
become a transformative force, especially
when the world appears unforgiving.
Summary of the Story

Oru Manushyan tells the story of a Malayali man who lives

in a distant city, teaching English to earn a meager living.
He lives frugally and carries all his money with him, as he
has no safe place to store it. One day, while dining at a
restaurant, he realizes his purse has been stolen. With no
money to pay the bill, he is threatened with public
humiliation and violence. At this critical moment, a
stranger steps in, pays his bill, and later returns his stolen
purse, admitting that he was the thief. This unexpected act
of kindness becomes the turning point of the story.

Portrayal of Humanity

Basheer's portrayal of humanity is subtle yet powerful. The

protagonist is not a heroic figure; he is an ordinary man
facing a desperate situation. His sense of dignity and
self-respect is almost shattered by the prospect of being
beaten or shamed for failing to pay a bill. In this vulnerable
moment, he experiences the harshness of society – one
that lacks sympathy or patience.

However, the stranger’s unexpected intervention radically

alters the mood. The man, who claims to be a pickpocket,
redeems himself through a single act of compassion. This
challenges our binary understanding of good and evil.
Basheer shows that human beings are complex, capable
of both wrongdoing and redemption. It is not what people
are labeled as, but what they choose to do in critical
moments, that defines their humanity.

Kindness Amid Harsh Realities

The setting of the story—a foreign city marked by

anonymity and alienation—intensifies the impact of the
stranger’s gesture. In a place where people are distant
and indifferent, the emergence of kindness is both rare
and beautiful. Basheer portrays kindness not as a grand
moral virtue, but as a simple, humane reaction that can
change another’s life. The stranger does not moralize, nor
does he expect gratitude or reward. His act is quietly
revolutionary in a world that often celebrates self-interest
and punishes vulnerability.

The story also touches upon class and survival. The

protagonist belongs to the working class, scraping by in an
unfamiliar city. The stranger, perhaps living at the fringes
of society, engages in petty crime. Despite their positions,
both characters reveal different aspects of the human
spirit—fear, shame, generosity, and empathy.
Moral Ambiguity and Redemption

Basheer is known for his interest in characters who live on

the margins of society. In Oru Manushyan, he deliberately
avoids presenting characters as morally absolute. The
stranger is not a conventional hero; he is a thief. Yet, his
decision to help the narrator reveals a redemptive quality.
This moral ambiguity is a hallmark of Basheer's writing. It
reflects the real-world complexity of human beings, where
goodness and flaws often coexist.

By humanizing a criminal, Basheer emphasizes that

everyone carries the potential for compassion. The story
thereby becomes an appeal to look beyond social labels
and recognize the shared humanity in all.

Narrative Technique and Style

Basheer’s storytelling is marked by simplicity and

emotional depth. He uses a first-person narrative, which
creates intimacy and helps readers identify with the
protagonist’s anxiety and relief. The use of minimal
description and conversational tone makes the story
accessible while retaining its philosophical undertones.

The title “Oru Manushyan” itself is significant. It refers to “a

man,” any man, implying that the act of kindness could
come from anyone, even the least expected person. The
anonymity of the characters supports this universality. The
story is not confined to a time or place; it speaks to
anyone who has ever been helped unexpectedly or has
helped someone in need.

Critical Reception and Interpretations

Critics have widely praised Oru Manushyan for its

depiction of moral complexity and human empathy. M.
Krishnan Nair observed that Basheer had the unique
ability to "find the extraordinary in the ordinary." Indeed, in
this story, the transformative act is simple—a meal paid, a
purse returned—but it carries immense emotional weight.

K. Ayyappa Paniker highlighted how Basheer’s characters

often defy stereotypes. The stranger in Oru Manushyan is
not a flat character; he is a multi-dimensional figure who
embodies both crime and compassion. This complexity
makes the story a subject of discussion in literary and
ethical debates alike.

Some critics also interpret the story through an

existentialist lens. The stranger, by choosing kindness,
affirms a sense of personal agency and morality in a world
without clear guidelines. His action is an assertion of
meaning in an otherwise indifferent world.
Contemporary Relevance

The relevance of Oru Manushyan in today’s world is

striking. In modern societies marked by increasing
individualism, social isolation, and moral judgment, the
story serves as a reminder that empathy still matters. It
encourages readers to look beyond appearances and see
the humanity in others.

The story also subtly critiques societal responses to

poverty and failure. The restaurant owner's immediate
reaction to the protagonist's inability to pay is
violence—not inquiry or understanding. The fact that it
takes a thief to show kindness is a scathing comment on
the society's moral priorities.
Conclusion
Vaikom Muhammad Basheer’s Oru Manushyan stands as
a timeless testament to the enduring strength of human
values in the face of adversity. Through a narrative that is
simple yet deeply profound, Basheer masterfully reveals
that even within a morally grey world, the spark of
goodness can still shine. The stranger’s small yet
significant act of kindness becomes a mirror to society —
reminding us of the profound impact that empathy can
have, even in the most unlikely of circumstances.

This story is not merely about one man helping another; it

is a reflection on moral choice, the quiet power of
compassion, and the hope that humanity can prevail in the
bleakest of moments. Basheer’s message remains as
urgent today as ever: true humanity is not about
flawlessness, but about the courage to do good when it is
needed most.
Bibliography

1. Basheer, Vaikom Muhammad. Oru Manushyan. DC

Books, Kottayam, Latest Edition.

2. Nair, M. Krishnan. Sahithya Vimarshanam. Current

Books, 2001.

3. Paniker, K. Ayyappa. Indian Narratology. Sterling

Publishers, 2003.

4. Nair, K.R. Ramachandran. “Humanism in Basheer’s

Short Stories.” Indian Literature, vol. 46, no. 2, Sahitya
Akademi, 2002.

5. Kumar, Ajay. “Vaikom Muhammad Basheer and the

Voice of the Marginalized.” Journal of South Asian
Literature and Culture, vol. 5, no. 1, 2019.

6. Menon, Indira. Thematic Analysis of Malayalam Short

Fiction. Kerala Sahitya Akademi, 2016.