Subverting Empire: Ideological Resistance and Colonial Subjectivity in R.K. Narayan’s The English Teacher

Abstract

This study investigates the ideological response of Krishnan, the protagonist of R.K. Narayan’s The English Teacher, within the context of the colonial educational system in British India, with particular emphasis on the influence of English literature in defining identity. It analyzes how Krishnan’s transformation embodies a comprehensive criticism of colonial education as a mechanism of domination. considering Gauri Viswanathan’s Masks of Conquest (1989), the essay positions English literary education as an instrument of cultural hegemony that concealed imperial supremacy beneath the pretense of intellectual and moral advancement. The research employs qualitative textual analysis to examine Krishnan's developing consciousness and eventual repudiation of colonial ideas. Research indicates that Narayan intricately develops Krishnan's internal insurrection through spiritual enlightenment and cultural realignment, demonstrating the psychological impact of colonial indoctrination. This study advocates for a more profound engagement with postcolonial literature to reveal intricate forms of resistance and urges the establishment of a decolonized literary curriculum that prioritizes indigenous knowledge systems and perspectives.