By R. Karthigesu

Mohd Afiq × Syed Noor Yazeed

The Burden of Sin

R. K

arth

iges

uBorn in Kedah First degree: Indian

Studies (UM, 1968)

Second degree: Broadcasting

Journalism (Columbia University, 1977)

Ph. D.: Mass Communication (University of

Leicester, 1991)

Awar

ds re

ceiv

ed Gold Medal for Excellence in Tamil Language Literature (Persatuan Penulis Tamil Se-Malaysia)

Asia Foundation Fellowship

Association of Commonwealth

Universities Scholarship

Bintang Kesatria Mangku Negara

(K.M.N.)

Wor

ks b

y R.

Kar

thig

esu

Innoru Thatavi (Once More) – His third trilogy

Anthima Kaalam (Last Days) – Tan Sri Manicka Book Prize for the best Tamil book

of the year

Kaathalinaal Alla (Not Because of Love)Usi Ilai Maram (Christmas Tree) – Winner of Kalki Magazine 60th Anniversary Short

Story Competition (Tamil Nadu)

Works published: one academic book, six general knowledge books, more than 25 journal articles and 50 seminar papers,

published newspaper articles, video productions, three anthologies, two novels,

more than 50 short stories, radio dramas

Velu went back to his kampong. He visited Sulaiman’s house, a friend of his. It had been 25 years since he left the

kampong.They went to the kampong’s river. It was now polluted. Both Velu and Sulaiman talked about their families and

what had happened in the past.25 years ago, Hasnah, Sulaiman’s daughter, fell in love

with Velu’s son, Devan. Their relationship was not approved by Velu, so Velu left from the kampong without confronting about the issue. Throughout the years, that decision had become a bane to the lives of both families.

Velu felt that he was burdened with sins and tried to cleanse his misdeed by bathing in the river, but he could

not do so. He knew that he needed some time to find peace.

Syno

psis

PlotExpositionVelu goes back to the village

Rising ActionVelu and Sulaiman walk around the village

ClimaxVelu and Sulaiman tell each other about their children’s plight

EndingVelu tries to seek for the elusive peace

Falling ActionVelu feels guilty of what happened between the families

Setti

ngs

The form of language used

(Kampong, dua puloh lima tahun)

Trishaw as a mode of transportation

P1A, Pg1

Rubber trees/latexP1A, Pg3

Tin ore/mineP2B, Pg6

English secondary schoolP3A, Pg11

Madras, Tamil Nadu (old name of

Chennai)P4A, Pg1

Time (Early 70s)

Setti

ngs Rubber latex as the

villagers’ source of livelihood

P1A, Pg3

Tin mines/ore miningP2B, Pg6

The riverP1A, Pg1

Place (A Malay Kampong)

Setti

ngs Malay rural

society with Indian minority

Belief in witchdoctor P3B, Pg6

Religious

Social Environment

Poin

t of V

iew

The narrator is omniscient and

knows the characters’ feelings

No changes in the POV: it stays the same throughout

the story

Third POV: a narrator tells

the story

Velu• Indian, lived in

the Malay Kampong P3A, Pg11

• Owned a shop P3A, Pg11

• Had a wife, Janaki, and has one son, Devan

Sulaiman• Religious P4A, Pg3

• Used to be really close with Velu and his family P3B, Pg3&5

• Has a wife, Rokiya, and a daughter, Hasnah

Char

acte

rs

Rokiya• Wife of

Sulaiman• Was a friend of

Janaki P2A, Pg7

Janaki• The deceased

wife of Velu• Used to be

very close to Rokiya

• Died five years before the event of the story P2A, Pg6

Char

acte

rs

Devan• Son of Velu• In love with

Hasnah• Separation from

Hasnah wrecked his life P3B, Pg8-P4A,

Pg1

• A doctor who owns a clinic in KL P3A, Pg5

Hasnah• Daughter of

Sulaiman• Has four children• Frank and open

In love with Devan P3B, Pg2

• Separation for Devan caused her to be sick

• Was divorced for three times

Char

acte

rs

VELU

Harsh

Hasty

Stubborn

Regretful

In search of peace

25 Years Later

SULAIMAN

Hot-tempered

Understanding

Rational

Acceptance25 Years Later

Char

acte

r Typ

es DynamicVelu has already changed before the present

event of the story, but in the current arc of the story, changes can also be seen

StereotypeSulaiman, leaves everything to fate P3A, Pg4

Confl

icts

InternalMan vs Self

VeluFeels that he has sinned

because he was responsible for separating Devan from

HasnahSulaiman

Felt that it was improper for Devan and Hasnah to be in

love, however, he changed his mind for the sake of his

daughter

ExternalMan vs Man

Velu could not control his son’s wild

behaviourVelu could not accept

the relationship between Hasnah and

Devan

Liter

ary

Devi

ces

AllusionThe title The Burden of

SinKarma in Hinduism

+The river

The connection to the sacred Ganges

Ritual cleansing of sins

SymbolismThe muddy river end of hope?Velu’s hopes of being freed from

his faults cannot be achieved much like how the river is now

polluted

+The tin mine Velu

The human actions that affect the lives of other people

Liter

ary

Devi

ces

SimileOnly Velu was unmoved as a rock

MetaphorVelu listened in stony silence…

FlashbackP3A, Pg11—P3B, Pg6

Them

eRegrets Explicit

It supports the traditional notions of Asian culture

Irrational past decisions can bring calamity to one’s life

We cannot turn back the time

Writ

er’s

Mes

sage

s Parents should not control their children too much

Sometimes repentance comes with a huge cost

Humans need to consider the consequences of their

actions

Burn

ing

Issue

sMust parents

control their

children’s lives too

extremely?

Is interracial relationship a taboo?

Pers

onal

Res

pons

eNohPortrays real Asian conflict – acceptance in interracial marriage

Common Asian storyline: it teaches us lessons on mistakes and regrets

“Youth is a blunder; Manhood a struggle, Old Age a regret.” – Benjamin Disraeli

AfiqToo common of a storyline – typical Asian story

The theme of regrets and mistakes – the usual fair