Bachelor Of Arts

Bachelor of Arts

R. K. Narayan • 1937

Overview

The story follows Chandran, a fresh graduate in history, as he leaves the sheltered world of college and confronts the uncertainties of adulthood in the fictional South Indian town of Malgudi. A chance encounter with a girl by the river stirs romantic ideals, yet family expectations, caste conventions and financial reality complicate every step. Narayan’s understated humor and precise observations trace Chandran’s drift through odd jobs, restless wandering and eventual self-employment, revealing how youthful dreams adjust to everyday pressures. The novel quietly charts the transition from student life to earning a living, capturing the bittersweet compromises that shape identity beyond the classroom.

Who it's for

• Readers interested in modern Indian fiction
• Students of post-colonial literature
• Anyone navigating early career choices

Key features

• Language: English
• Part of the Malgudi series
• First published 1937
• Accessible prose, no prior context required