Analysis

The analysis of the short story “The Mark of Vishnu” by Khushwant Singh shows that it follows a linear, chronological plot structure. The story contains several foreshadowing elements.

The main characters are Gunga Ram, a superstitious servant, and the four schoolboys who are his masters’ sons. The story focuses on the conflict between Gunga Ram and the schoolboys, caused by the differences in their mentalities and the contempt the schoolboys feel for someone from a lower social class. 

The physical setting is a town in India around 1950. The social setting explores the clash of different views, as well as generation gap and class issues.

The story is told from the point of view of a first-person narrator, who is one of the brothers. He often uses the first-person plural “we”.

The language is neutral. There are a few references to Hindu mythology in the text, which give the story a local color. 

You can read a more detailed analysis in the following pages.