The Child by Munshi Premchand

The Child by Munshi Premchand

Questions and Answers

1. Who is Gangu? Why does he want to leave his job?

Gangu is the main character in The Child, a short story by Munshi Premchand. He is a Brahmin who works as a servant in the narrator’s household. Gangu wants to leave the job because he plans to marry Gomti Devi, a widow expelled from the widow’s ashram who had previously left her husbands. He goes against traditional norms by marrying her but does not want his master to be spoken of badly due to his actions, so he decides to leave his job.

2. What is the theme of the story Child?

The story highlights the conservatism and narrow-mindedness of Indian society. It deals with the caste system, widow discrimination, and societal judgment while also focusing on courage, empathy, love, and acceptance. Through Gangu and Gomti Devi, Premchand emphasizes that true nobility lies in compassion, moral courage, and respect for human dignity rather than social status or reputation.

3. Why was the narrator shocked when he heard that Gangu was marrying Gomti Devi?

The narrator is shocked because Gomti Devi is a widow with a bad reputation. She had been married three times and left her husbands, leading society to consider her fickle and unfaithful. The narrator could not initially understand how Gangu, a Brahmin, would go against caste and social norms to marry her.

4. Who is Gomti Devi? According to Gangu, why did she leave her husbands?

Gomti Devi is a widow who lived in a widow’s home and had been married three times. Gangu believes she left her husbands because men expected her complete submission and love without considering her feelings. She is courageous, strong, and independent, and Gangu wants to treat her with love and respect rather than judgment.

5. Describe Gangu’s plight when Gomti Devi left him.

Gangu is deeply depressed when Gomti leaves him. He refuses to believe she has betrayed him and searches for her tirelessly. His hope and determination ultimately lead him to find her with her child, showing his patience and moral strength.

6. Who is the embodiment of goodness in the story—the narrator or Gangu? Discuss.

Gangu is the embodiment of goodness in the story. He is courageous, compassionate, forgiving, and morally upright, standing up for Gomti Devi despite societal criticism. Unlike the narrator, he demonstrates true empathy and noble character, accepting Gomti’s child as his own and showing unconditional love.

7. What does the narrator mean when he talks of middle-class morality?

Middle-class morality refers to the narrow-minded and judgmental attitude of society. The narrator includes himself in this class, admitting that he initially misjudged Gomti Devi. Such morality lacks compassion, courage, and empathy, often enforcing rigid traditions over human kindness.

8. Describe Gangu’s character in the short story.

Gangu is a Brahmin servant who is different from others due to his self-respect and honesty. Though uneducated, he is proud of his caste but does not blindly follow traditions. He marries Gomti Devi despite criticism, accepts her child as his own, and demonstrates courage, kindness, generosity, and moral strength, making him the true embodiment of goodness.

9. What is the significance of the title Child?

The title symbolizes hope, new beginnings, and compassion. Gomti Devi delivers a boy child, and Gangu accepts him as his own, which renews their lives. The child represents a fresh start, joy, and the possibility of a better, compassionate world, making the title highly appropriate.

10. What societal norms are challenged in this story?

The story challenges caste discrimination and restrictions on widow remarriage. Gangu, a Brahmin, marries Gomti Devi, a widow with a bad reputation, defying social norms. It creates awareness about the need for empathy, acceptance, and progressive attitudes toward women and marginalized individuals.

11. Comment on the title of the story Child.

The title is apt because the child symbolizes love, hope, and a new beginning. Through the child, Gangu and Gomti Devi are given a chance to rebuild their lives with compassion, responsibility, and happiness. It represents moral goodness, renewal, and the promise of a better future, reflecting the central message of the story.