Character Sketch Of Dr. Pal in The Financial Expert by R.K Narayan
Dr. Pal is one of the crucial characters of the novel "The Financial Expert". It is very difficult to either categorise under good ones or bad ones. His character is quite complicated.
He selflessly helped Margayya in reaching the heights of success. He gave the manuscript of his book "Bed life" to him in return for a minuscule sum. He wanted him to earn much from the book. He is very knowledgeable and works as a journalist.
In the beginning, we witness his ambitious side where he tells Margayya about his plan to launch a "sociology clinic" for solving domestic problems of husband and wife. He told him he was a sociologist. Margayya finds his ideas vulgar.
Pal has no regard for a settled life. He has no fixed aim in life. He lives like a vagabond. He holds rational thoughts and emotions play no role. Perhaps, that's why he didn't marry. Money is not his concern and if he wanted money, he could earn a lot. It is undisputed because only one book of him brought immense wealth to Margayya. He could write more books but his changing interests or lack of focus prevented him to lead a stable life. He was revered as a learned man.
Interestingly, Pal became both the cause of Margayya's success and undoing. Pal involves Balu in immoral activities which infuriated Margayya and he attacked him. Later, Margayya came to know that Pal was Balu's companion and he indulged him in playing cards, drinking alcohol and womanizing. Margayya knew Pal's might and he was thinking of sending Pal to another city for some errands to protect his son from his bad company but the plan didn't work out.
It can be said that the character of Pal was not a simple or a conventional one. He has some merits but has some flaws. His flaws became the reason for his parting with Margayya.
He selflessly helped Margayya in reaching the heights of success. He gave the manuscript of his book "Bed life" to him in return for a minuscule sum. He wanted him to earn much from the book. He is very knowledgeable and works as a journalist.
In the beginning, we witness his ambitious side where he tells Margayya about his plan to launch a "sociology clinic" for solving domestic problems of husband and wife. He told him he was a sociologist. Margayya finds his ideas vulgar.
Pal has no regard for a settled life. He has no fixed aim in life. He lives like a vagabond. He holds rational thoughts and emotions play no role. Perhaps, that's why he didn't marry. Money is not his concern and if he wanted money, he could earn a lot. It is undisputed because only one book of him brought immense wealth to Margayya. He could write more books but his changing interests or lack of focus prevented him to lead a stable life. He was revered as a learned man.
Interestingly, Pal became both the cause of Margayya's success and undoing. Pal involves Balu in immoral activities which infuriated Margayya and he attacked him. Later, Margayya came to know that Pal was Balu's companion and he indulged him in playing cards, drinking alcohol and womanizing. Margayya knew Pal's might and he was thinking of sending Pal to another city for some errands to protect his son from his bad company but the plan didn't work out.
"Dr. Pal! Dr. Pal! What shall I do with him?" he reflected. He was torn between caution and an impossible rage. God knew where it would lead if he alienated Pal's sympathies: the fellow might do anthing."Ultimately, Margayya's spar with Pal ended with disastrous implications for Margayya and he lost all his wealth and became poor.
It can be said that the character of Pal was not a simple or a conventional one. He has some merits but has some flaws. His flaws became the reason for his parting with Margayya.