Kamala Markandaya – A Handful of Rice
Kamala Markandaya’s novel A Handful of Rice is a powerful exploration of poverty, hunger, class division, urban struggle, and human transformation. Set in a South Indian city (Madras/Chennai), the novel follows the life of Ravi, a restless young man battling hunger, unemployment, family responsibilities and moral dilemmas. The narrative blends social realism with deep psychological insight, showing how poverty shapes destiny.
4-Part Summary
Part 1 – Ravi’s Early Life & Poverty in the Slums
The novel opens with Ravi, a young, unemployed man living in extreme poverty in the slums of the city. Hunger drives him into petty crime and constant rebellion. He joins a group of boys who raid a rice shop belonging to Apu. During the chaos, Ravi meets Nalini, Apu’s daughter. This meeting becomes a turning point in his life. Ravi is restless, angry at society, and desperate to escape the crushing cycle of poverty + hunger + unemployment.
Part 1 highlights:
- Poverty as a dehumanizing force
- The hunger that controls behaviour
- Ravi’s rebellion against social inequality
- The city as a space of struggle
Part 2 – Marriage with Nalini & Struggles for Respectability
Ravi marries Nalini and tries to live a respectable, middle-class life. He begins working in Apu’s small rice shop. However, Ravi’s anger, impatience and lack of discipline create friction. He is humiliated by Apu frequently, which hurts his pride. Narrow profits and financial struggle worsen his frustration.
Ravi’s new life exposes him to:
- The difficulty of transitioning from street life to responsibility
- The burden of providing for a family
- Middle-class ambition vs poverty
- Constant humiliation from in-laws
Ravi’s desire to rise clashes with his limited opportunities. Poverty becomes a trap, and Ravi feels suffocated by his failure to succeed.
Part 3 – Ravi’s Downfall: Crime, Rage & Helplessness
Economic conditions worsen. Ravi becomes torn between:
- responsibility toward Nalini
- temptation to return to crime
His old slum friends pull him toward illegal activities. Stress and anger build up. In a moment of rage, Ravi beats Apu, his father-in-law. Unable to face the shame, Ravi runs away from home.
Wandering the streets again, he experiences:
- guilt
- self-hatred
- hopelessness
The city becomes a symbol of despair. Crime seems like the only way to survive, but Ravi wants dignity. This part shows the psychological breakdown caused by poverty + pressure + humiliation.
Part 4 – Return, Transformation & Hope Through the Child
Ravi eventually returns home and sees Nalini’s infant son. The child becomes a symbol of renewal and hope. Ravi feels deep affection and a sudden sense of responsibility. This marks the beginning of his inner transformation.
Ravi decides:
- to abandon crime for good
- to work honestly, even if wages are low
- to build a better life for his wife and child
- to face poverty with dignity rather than anger
The novel ends with a note of hope and moral resurgence. Ravi chooses family, love and stability, proving that even in poverty, human compassion can rebuild the spirit.
Major Characters
Ravi
- Protagonist
- Struggles with hunger, poverty, crime, responsibility
- Undergoes powerful moral transformation
Nalini
- Ravi’s wife
- Patient, loving, supportive
- Represents hope and stability
Apu
- Nalini’s father
- Owner of rice shop
- Strict, practical, often humiliates Ravi
Themes
- Poverty and Hunger – central force shaping Ravi’s destiny.
- Class Struggle – attempts to move upward always blocked.
- Urban Hardship – slums, unemployment and despair.
- Family Responsibility – marriage brings both love and burden.
- Violence & Anger – outcome of social injustice.
- Transformation – Ravi’s character develops from rebellion to responsibility.
Symbols
- Rice – symbol of survival, hunger, dignity and labour.
- The Child – symbol of renewal, hope and inward change.
- The City – a place of struggle and moral testing.
Writing Style
- Simple, direct and emotionally rich.
- Strong social realism.
- Focus on psychological depth.
- Sympathetic portrayal of the urban poor.
Critical Analysis
- Markandaya shows the cost of poverty on personality and relationships.
- Ravi’s inner conflict mirrors the conflict between hunger and morality.
- The novel blends social critique with human warmth.
- The ending is optimistic, reflecting human resilience.
Quick Revision Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Author | Kamala Markandaya |
| Novel | A Handful of Rice |
| Setting | Urban slums of South India (Madras/Chennai) |
| Structure | 4-Part thematic structure |
| Main Themes | Poverty, hunger, class oppression, transformation |
| Protagonist | Ravi |
| Message | Even in deep poverty, human love can inspire change. |
What to Read Next
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