The Research Dialogue

Abstract

K. Narayan occupies a distinctive position in Indian English fiction for his realistic representation of ordinary Indian life through the fictional town of Malgudi. His novels do not generally depend upon spectacular historical events or overt political argument; instead, they explore family relationships, education, marriage, money, social status, bureaucracy, gender inequality, religious belief and the pressures created by modernisation. The present article examines social realism in selected novels of Narayan, including Swami and Friends, The Bachelor of Arts, The Dark Room, The English Teacher, Mr. Sampath, The Financial Expert, Waiting for the Mahatma, The Guide, The Vendor of Sweets and The Painter of Signs. The study follows a qualitative and interpretive method based on textual analysis. It argues that Narayan’s realism emerges from close observation of everyday behaviour, irony, credible social institutions and morally complex characters. Malgudi functions as a miniature social world in which tradition and modernity continuously negotiate with each other. Narayan’s fiction remains relevant because it portrays social change through ordinary human experience rather than abstract theory.

Keywords: R. K. Narayan, social realism, Malgudi, Indian English fiction, middle class, tradition and modernity

Cite this Article: 

Chand, Dr. Manish. (2026). Social Realism in the Fiction of R. K. Narayan. The Research Dialogue, Open Access Peer-reviewed & Refereed Journal, Pp.758–767, Volume-04, Issue-04, January-2026, https://theresearchdialogue.com/