Part C — Supplementary Reading
Chapter 5: The Barber’s Trade Union
Class 12 General English | PSEB | A Rainbow of English
Author: Mulk Raj Anand
1. Introduction and Summary
“The Barber’s Trade Union” is a short story by Mulk Raj Anand. It explores caste discrimination, social inequality, self-respect, dignity of labour and the power of collective action. Through the experiences of Chandu, a young village barber, the author shows how an exploited worker challenges the authority of the upper-caste villagers.
Chandu is a close friend of the narrator. Although he is not particularly good at mathematics, he is intelligent, resourceful and talented. He is excellent at catching wasps, making kites and reciting poetry. He also has a lively personality and often takes the lead in his friendship with the narrator.
Chandu belongs to a barber family and learns his father’s traditional profession. After his father’s death, he visits the houses of influential villagers to shave and cut their hair. However, the upper-caste villagers treat him with disrespect because of his caste and occupation.
Chandu admires the smart clothes worn by professionals such as the town dentist, Kalan Khan. He decides to dress like a doctor, wearing a white turban, a white rubber coat, polished shoes and carrying a leather bag. He hopes that his new appearance will give him dignity and respect.
Unfortunately, the landlord, Bijay Chand, and other influential villagers insult Chandu. They consider his clothes inappropriate for someone of his caste and accuse him of polluting their homes. The grocer, Thanu Ram, and Pandit Parmanand also condemn him. Chandu feels humiliated but decides not to accept their treatment any longer.
Chandu begins working independently in the town and earns money by shaving people on the roadside. He announces that he will go on strike and will no longer visit the houses of the villagers who insult him. He buys a bicycle and learns to ride it so that he can travel to town more easily.
As Chandu stops shaving the village elders, their beards and moustaches become untidy. The villagers begin making jokes about their appearance. Even the families of the influential men start laughing at them. The elders threaten Chandu, but his mother courageously challenges their authority.
Chandu then develops a more effective plan. He proposes that the barbers of the surrounding villages should form a union and open a roadside shaving shop. By organising the barbers, he aims to make the villagers come to them instead of forcing the barbers to serve them at their homes.
The story ends by mentioning the Rajkot District Barber Brothers’ Hairdressing and Shaving Saloon, whose example inspires other trade unions in the region.
The story teaches that workers deserve respect regardless of their caste or occupation. When people unite, protect their rights and refuse to accept exploitation, they can challenge unfair social practices and improve their lives.
2. Short-Answer Type Questions
Q1. What was the age difference between Chandu and the narrator?
Answer: Chandu was about six months older than the narrator. He usually took the lead in their activities, and the narrator willingly followed him.
Q2. Why did the narrator consider Chandu the embodiment of perfection for him?
Answer: The narrator considered Chandu the embodiment of perfection because Chandu was exceptionally talented at making and flying kites, catching wasps and reciting poetry. His imagination, confidence and practical skills impressed the narrator, who admired him as a hero.
Q3. Why was Chandu not good at doing sums at school?
Answer: Chandu was not good at doing sums because his father had apprenticed him early to the hereditary profession of barbering. He had to spend time cutting hair in the village and therefore had less time to complete his schoolwork.
Q4. Why did the narrator’s mother constantly dissuade him from playing with Chandu?
Answer: The narrator’s mother believed that Chandu belonged to a lower caste and that her son should maintain the status of his own caste and class. She therefore discouraged the narrator from playing with Chandu.
Q5. What does the narrator tell us about Chandu’s dress?
Answer: Chandu wore unusual and colourful clothes. His outfit included khaki shorts given to him by a retired Subedar, a frayed black velvet waistcoat decorated with shell buttons and a round felt cap that had once belonged to the village lawyer. Later, he dressed like a doctor in a white turban, a white rubber coat and polished shoes.
Q6. What did Chandu tell the narrator about Kalan Khan’s appearance?
Answer: Chandu described Kalan Khan as a smartly dressed young dentist who wore his hair parted on one side, a starched shirt with an ivory collar, a bow tie, a black coat, striped trousers, a rubber overcoat and pumps. Chandu admired his professional appearance and wanted to dress similarly.
Q7. Why did Bijay Chand, the landlord, turn Chandu out of his house?
Answer: Bijay Chand turned Chandu out because Chandu had dressed like a doctor and carried a leather bag into the landlord’s house. The landlord considered these clothes and the bag polluting because of his caste-based prejudices. He insisted that Chandu should dress according to what he considered appropriate for a barber.
Q8. What did the Sahukar think about Chandu’s wearing clothes like a doctor?
Answer: The Sahukar, Thanu Ram, disapproved of Chandu’s doctor-like clothes. He believed that Chandu should perform his traditional duties instead of adopting the appearance of a professional. He insulted Chandu and refused to let him shave him unless he returned to his ordinary clothes.
Q9. Why had the landlord summoned Pandit Parmanand?
Answer: The landlord had summoned Pandit Parmanand to discuss what they considered an improper situation: Chandu’s wearing clothes like a doctor and carrying a leather bag into the landlord’s house. They wanted religious and caste-based authority to support their opposition to Chandu’s new appearance.
Q10. What type of woman was Chandu’s mother?
Answer: Chandu’s mother was a strong-willed, outspoken and courageous woman. Although she belonged to a lower caste and had suffered years of humiliation, she did not hesitate to speak plainly to the upper-caste villagers. She defended her son and challenged their unjust behaviour.
Q11. How did Chandu’s mother treat the narrator?
Answer: Chandu’s mother treated the narrator kindly, although she spoke to him in a teasing and direct manner. Her experiences of discrimination had made her sharp-witted and outspoken, but she did not treat the narrator with hostility.
Q12. Why did Chandu decide to go on strike?
Answer: Chandu decided to go on strike because the village elders insulted him, humiliated him because of his caste and refused to accept his attempt to dress like a professional. He wanted to stop serving people who treated him disrespectfully and force them to recognise his dignity and rights.
Q13. Why did Chandu decide to buy a bicycle?
Answer: Chandu decided to buy a bicycle so that he could travel to town independently and earn money by shaving and cutting hair there. A bicycle would save him time, increase his freedom of movement and help him avoid depending on the villagers who had insulted him.
Q14. Why had the men gathered in the Sahukar’s shop?
Answer: The men had gathered in the Sahukar’s shop while waiting for the landlord. They were accustomed to meeting there and discussing village matters. Their gathering later became the setting for Chandu’s humorous protest against their unkempt beards.
Q15. How did the Sahukar look without being trimmed by the barber?
Answer: Without regular trimming by the barber, the Sahukar’s moustache and beard became untidy. The tobacco-stained moustache and rough facial hair made him look shabby and ridiculous.
Q16. What jokes became popular in every home and why?
Answer: Jokes about the unkempt beards and shabby appearance of the village elders became popular in every home. Since Chandu had stopped shaving them, their neglected appearance became a source of amusement. People who had previously been afraid to criticise the elders now felt free to laugh at them.
Q17. What was the reason for the rumour that the landlord’s wife had threatened to run away with someone else?
Answer: The rumour arose because the landlord’s beard and moustache had become untidy after Chandu stopped shaving him. The landlord’s wife was much younger than her husband and, according to the story, had tolerated him while he kept himself well-groomed. His shabby appearance became the subject of gossip and jokes.
Q18. Why did the village elders threaten Chandu?
Answer: The village elders threatened Chandu because he refused to continue shaving them at their homes. His strike challenged their authority and disrupted a service they had taken for granted. They were also angered by the jokes about their unkempt appearance and wanted to force him to return to his traditional role.
Q19. Name the union that gave birth to many other active trade unions in the town.
Answer: The union was the Rajkot District Barber Brothers’ Hairdressing and Shaving Saloon. The story presents it as an example that inspired other active trade unions among working people in the region.
3. Long-Answer Type Questions
Q1. Give a brief character-sketch of Chandu.
Answer:
Chandu is the central character of Mulk Raj Anand’s story “The Barber’s Trade Union.” He is a talented, confident and resourceful young barber who challenges caste discrimination and fights for the dignity of his profession.
1. Talented and imaginative: Chandu is excellent at catching wasps, making and flying kites and reciting poetry. His many abilities impress the narrator, who regards him as a remarkable boy.
2. Intelligent and practical: Although he struggles with school mathematics because of his work responsibilities, Chandu is clever in practical matters. He demonstrates business sense when he buys a bicycle and later develops the idea of a trade union.
3. Confident and independent: Chandu has a strong personality and does not like being controlled by others. He enjoys making his own decisions and is determined to improve his position in life.
4. Proud of his appearance: Chandu admires the clothes worn by professionals such as Kalan Khan, the dentist. He dresses in a white turban, a rubber coat and polished shoes because he wants to look smart and dignified.
5. A victim of caste discrimination: The village landlord, the Sahukar and Pandit Parmanand insult Chandu because of his caste and occupation. They believe that he should not dress like a professional.
6. Self-respecting: Chandu refuses to accept the humiliating treatment of the village elders. Instead of continuing to serve them, he decides to stop visiting their homes.
7. Courageous and determined: Chandu faces opposition from powerful people but does not give up. He continues earning money in the town and learns to ride a bicycle so that he can work independently.
8. Resourceful: He uses the elders’ dependence on regular shaving to challenge their arrogance. When their beards become untidy, the villagers begin making jokes about them.
9. A natural leader: Chandu persuades other barbers to unite and work together. His ability to convince people helps him turn an individual protest into collective action.
10. A symbol of dignity and equality: Through Chandu, the author shows that people engaged in traditional occupations deserve respect. Chandu refuses to accept that his caste should determine his social status.
Conclusion: Chandu is a courageous, resourceful and self-respecting young man. His strike and trade-union plan challenge caste prejudice and demonstrate the power of unity, independence and collective action.
Q2. How did the village elders behave when Chandu dressed up like a doctor?
Answer:
When Chandu dressed like a doctor, the village elders reacted with anger and contempt. Instead of appreciating his smart appearance or respecting his personal choice, they tried to force him to remain within the social position they had assigned to his caste.
1. Chandu’s new appearance: Chandu wore a white turban, a white rubber coat, polished shoes and carried a leather bag. He wanted to look like Kalan Khan, the dentist, and hoped that his new appearance would make him feel more dignified.
2. The landlord’s reaction: When Chandu entered the landlord Bijay Chand’s house, the landlord became furious. He objected to the leather bag and the clothes, claiming that they would defile his religion and household.
3. Insults and threats: The landlord called Chandu offensive names and ordered him to leave. He told Chandu to wear clothes that, in his opinion, were suitable for a barber and threatened to have him flogged if he continued his new ways.
4. The Sahukar’s disapproval: Thanu Ram, the grocer, also insulted Chandu. He accused him of neglecting his responsibilities and behaving like a clown. He refused to let Chandu cut his hair unless he returned to his ordinary clothes.
5. The intervention of Pandit Parmanand: Pandit Parmanand supported the landlord’s attitude. He argued that Chandu’s low caste made his attempt to dress like a professional improper. He also criticised the narrator for supporting Chandu.
6. Caste prejudice: The elders’ behaviour showed that they judged Chandu according to his caste rather than his abilities or character. They believed that his occupation should determine how he dressed and how he was treated.
7. Chandu’s humiliation: Chandu was deeply hurt by their insults. He returned in anger and embarrassment because he had been publicly humiliated by people who considered themselves superior.
8. The beginning of resistance: Instead of accepting their demands, Chandu decided to challenge their authority. He stopped visiting their houses to shave them and began working independently in the town.
Conclusion: The village elders behaved arrogantly and unjustly when Chandu dressed like a doctor. Their reaction exposed the caste discrimination of the society in which they lived and became the reason for Chandu’s strike.
Q3. Give a brief character-sketch of Chandu’s mother.
Answer:
Chandu’s mother is a strong, outspoken and courageous woman who has endured years of social humiliation because of her caste. Her character represents the resilience of people who refuse to surrender their self-respect despite discrimination.
1. Strong-willed: Chandu’s mother has a firm personality. She does not allow the upper-caste villagers to intimidate her easily, even though they hold considerable social power.
2. Outspoken: She speaks directly and frankly. Her long experience of humiliation has made her sharp-witted, and she is not afraid to express her opinions.
3. Courageous: When the village elders threaten Chandu, his mother does not blindly obey them. She speaks to them in language even more direct than her usual manner, showing that she will defend her son.
4. Experienced in suffering: She has endured years of caste-based prejudice and disrespect. Her experiences have taught her to recognise the hypocrisy of people who consider themselves superior.
5. Caring towards her son: Although Chandu is adventurous and sometimes reckless, his mother remains concerned about his welfare. She understands that his actions may bring trouble, but she does not want him to be humiliated or exploited.
6. Kind to the narrator: She treats the narrator with kindness, even while teasing him about the social attitudes of his family. Her behaviour shows that she can distinguish between an individual and the prejudices of the society around him.
7. Independent in thought: She does not accept the authority of the village elders simply because they belong to a higher caste. She judges their actions according to her own understanding of right and wrong.
8. Supportive of resistance: When Chandu refuses to serve the elders, his mother does not force him to surrender. She recognises the importance of his self-respect and is unwilling to let the villagers control his life completely.
Conclusion: Chandu’s mother is a courageous and independent woman who challenges social injustice through her words and actions. Her character reinforces the story’s message that dignity and self-respect should not depend on caste or social status.
Q4. Why did Chandu go on strike? What was the result of the strike?
Answer:
Chandu went on strike because the village elders insulted him and refused to respect his personal dignity. They believed that his caste and occupation should determine how he dressed and behaved. By refusing to shave them at their homes, Chandu challenged their authority and demanded fair treatment.
Reasons for the strike
1. Caste discrimination: Chandu belonged to a barber family and was treated as socially inferior by the upper-caste villagers. They expected him to obey them and accept humiliating treatment.
2. Insults over his clothes: When Chandu dressed like a doctor, the landlord and other elders abused him. They told him that he had no right to wear such clothes because he was a barber.
3. Denial of dignity: The villagers did not respect Chandu’s desire to improve his appearance or present himself as a professional. They wanted him to remain within the social boundaries imposed on him.
4. Refusal to accept exploitation: Chandu realised that continuing to serve people who insulted him would mean accepting their unjust treatment. He decided to stop visiting their homes.
5. Desire for independence: Chandu began earning money in the town, bought a bicycle and planned to establish himself as an independent barber.
Results of the strike
6. The elders’ appearance deteriorated: Without Chandu’s regular services, the landlord and other men developed untidy beards and moustaches. Their neglected appearance became a source of amusement.
7. Public ridicule: Jokes about the elders’ unkempt appearance spread throughout the village. Even members of their own families began laughing at them.
8. The elders lost some of their social authority: The villagers who had previously feared the elders felt more confident making fun of them. The elders could no longer maintain the same appearance of dignity and control.
9. Threats against Chandu: The elders threatened to have Chandu sent to prison and tried to force his mother to make him obey. His mother, however, spoke courageously in his defence.
10. Increased earnings and independence: Chandu continued to do good business in town. He saved money, bought clothes and tools, and became less dependent on the village elders.
11. A collective solution: Chandu proposed that the barbers of nearby villages should form a union and establish a roadside shaving shop. This would allow them to work together and make customers come to them.
12. The beginning of organised labour: The formation of the barbers’ union represented a shift from individual resistance to collective action. It showed that workers could improve their position by supporting one another.
Conclusion: Chandu’s strike challenged caste discrimination and forced the village elders to confront their dependence on the barber’s work. More importantly, it encouraged independence and collective organisation among barbers. The story demonstrates that unity and self-respect can help workers resist exploitation and bring social change.
4. Important Points for Revision
- Author: Mulk Raj Anand.
- Main character: Chandu, a young barber.
- Narrator: Chandu’s childhood friend, who admires him.
- Social setting: A village society marked by caste distinctions and unequal treatment.
- Chandu’s talents: Kite-making, catching wasps, reciting poetry and practical problem-solving.
- Kalan Khan: A dentist whose professional clothes inspire Chandu.
- Bijay Chand: The landlord who insults Chandu for dressing like a doctor.
- Thanu Ram: The Sahukar or grocer who also opposes Chandu’s new appearance.
- Pandit Parmanand: A village priest who supports the caste-based objections.
- Chandu’s mother: A strong-willed and outspoken woman who defends her son.
- Reason for the strike: Insults, caste discrimination and denial of dignity.
- Immediate result: The elders’ beards become untidy, and villagers begin making jokes about them.
- Long-term result: Chandu proposes a union of barbers to improve their working conditions and independence.
- Union named in the story: Rajkot District Barber Brothers’ Hairdressing and Shaving Saloon.
- Main themes: Caste discrimination, dignity of labour, self-respect, unity, workers’ rights and collective action.
Exam preparation tip: For long answers, remember the sequence: Chandu dresses like a doctor, the elders insult him, he begins his strike, the elders become the subject of ridicule, and Chandu proposes a trade union. This sequence helps explain both the causes and the results of his protest.