Glory at Midnight By Bhabani Bhattacharya

                                                                Glory at Midnight

By Bhabani Bhattacharya

 

Q: Give reasons for the following:

 

a.       Satyajit attending the village wedding:

 

Ans. Satyajit attends the village wedding to reconnect with his roots and escape the pressure of his crumbling financial situation in the city. The invitation from his uncle, Srinath, provides an opportunity for him to find solace among familiar faces and settings, hoping to find comfort away from the life that is slipping away from his grasp.

 

b.      Satyajit’s recollection of the forgerer when he was on the train:

 

Ans. While on the train, Satyajit recollects the memory of the forger he encountered during his career in the bank. This recollection reflects his growing anxiety about his own deceitful state of hiding his financial ruin and the sense of guilt and shame he feels for not understanding the plight of the forger. Now, he fears that the same thing might happen to him considering his current financial condition.

 

c.      Srinath and his family member’s eager expectation of Satyajit’s arrival:

 

Ans. Srinath and his family eagerly await Satyajit’s arrival because they see him as a successful figure who could provide financial support or assistance in times of need. He had been a great benefactor of the family in the past by providing good financial support to the family in the marriages of their three daughters. They are expecting the same generous donation from him at this time as well.

 

d.      Srinath’s disappointment with Satyajit:

 

Ans. Srinath’s disappointment stems form the realization that Satyajit whom he had been relying upon to provide 2001 rupees he had promised the groom’s family as dowry, does not have the required money. He had pinned all his hopes on Satyajit and thought that this is a petty amount for a man like Satyajit.

 

e.      Satyajit’s feeling that he was an imposter:

 

Ans. Satyajit feels like an imposter because he is hiding the truth of his financial downfall from everyone around him, especially from his family. The weight of his deception causes him feel that he is living a lie, unable to face the reality of his ruined status and perceived failure.

 

f.        Satyajit not disclosing his present financial status to his uncle: Satyajit refrains from revealing his current financial predicament to his uncle because of his pride and shame. He does not want to shatter the image of success his uncle has of him and fears the judgement and pity that follow. Additionally, he wishes to retain the last remnants of his dignity in front of his family.

 

Q: Describe the cycles of events in Satyajit’s life that brought him back to where he began.

Ans. Satyajit starts his career with humble beginnings in the village, rising to the peak of success as a bank manager in the city. However, a series of unfortunate events, including a financial crash and misjudgements, lead to his downfall. Face with financial ruin and loss of status, Satyajit is compelled to return to his village, where he must confront his past and the harsh reality of his present. The cycle of rise and fall brings him back to the same place where he began, both geographically and economically.

Q: It is difficult to adjust to a fall from glory. Discuss.

Ans. Adjusting to a fall from glory is difficult because it involves accepting not only a loss of status and wealth but also a fundamental change in self-perception and identity. For Satyajit, who was accustomed to being regarded with respect and admiration, this fall from grace means dealing with the loss of his sense of worth and purpose. The psychological struggle of reconciling who he was with who he has become is the core conflict of the story.

Q: “Failure had a tempo faster than success.” Discuss.

Ans. This statement reflects the idea that while success often builds slowly over time, failure can happen abruptly and escalate quickly. Satyajit’s career took years of hard work to build, but his downfall was rapid and devastating. The metaphor of tempo suggests that failure’s impact is swifter and more overwhelming than the gradual process of achieving success.

Q: Satyajit should have revealed his predicament to his uncle. Discuss.

Ans. Revealing his predicament to his uncle would have allowed Satyajit to be honest and possibly receive support or guidance. Hiding his situation only led to more inner turmoil and isolation. Open communication might have alleviated some of the shame and guilt he felt and provided him with an opportunity to rebuild his life with the help of his family.

Q: Discuss the author’s comment on crime and punishment.

Ans. The story subtly comments on crime and punishment by juxtaposing Satyajit’s predicament with the theme of deception and moral failings. Though Satyajit is not directly involved in crime, his fall is portrayed as a form of punishment for his own misjudgements. It underscores the idea that one’s inner guilt and failure to honest can be a form of self-inflicted punishment.

Q: How is Satyajit’s financial crash introduced to the reader?

Ans. Satyajit’s financial crash is introduced through his reflections and inner monologues. The reader learns about his downfall gradually, as he thinks back on the chain of events that led to his current state. The narrative technique of slowly unveiling his circumstances mirrors Satyajit’s own reluctance to face his reality and effectively builds suspense and empathy in the reader.

Q: Comment on the way in which the story is narrated form Satyajit’s perspective.

Ans. The story being narrated from Satyajit’s perspective allows the reader to closely experience his inner conflicts, fears, and insecurities. This subjective narrative style brings depth to Satyajit’s character, making the story more introspective. It helps the reader to understand his reluctance to reveal his truth and the shame he feels, thereby creating a more personal and relatable experience.

Q: How has the author used the episode of the bank theft to comment on Satyajit’s success in his career?

Ans. As a clerk, Satyajit was still in the early stages of his career, driven by ambition and a desire to rise through the ranks. His decision to hand the forger over to the police rather than helping him demonstrates his focus on his career advancement and his adherence to rules to gain recognition and approval from his superiors.

Had he chosen to help the forger-recognizing that the man’s actions were motivated by an honorable intent to save his dying wife-it could have reflected a different kind of success: one rooted in empathy and moral courage rather than strict rule-following. Instead, Satyajit prioritized his professional image over human compassion. Later, When Satyajit faces downfall, the episode with the forger becomes a point of reflection. His rigid approach as young clerk contrasts with the complex reality he faces as a failed man who might have benefitted from the very empathy, he denied the forger. This ultimately serves as critique of Satyajit’s narrow view of success, suggesting that a more compassionate choice might have been more honorable and wiser both for his career and his personal growth.

Q: How do these lines capture the essence of the story; ‘Glory was all overlaid with dark shame. Glory was dead.’ ‘.... let him be wrapped a while in the lingering twilight splendour of departed glory’.

Ans. These lines poignantly capture the essence of the story by reflecting Satyajit’s emotional state and the contrast between his past glory and his present shame. The first line conveys the sense of his lost honor and the burden of disgrace, while the second line suggests a desperate clinging to the remnants of his past success, even when it has long faded. Together, they depict the central theme of the narrative: the inevitable decline form success and the struggle to come to terms with it.