| The Bachelor of Arts | |
| Author: | R. K. Narayan |
| Country: | India |
| Language: | English |
| Genre: | Novel |
| Publisher: | Nelson |
| Release Date: | 1937 |
| Media Type: | |
| Isbn: | 0-09-928224-0 |
| Isbn Note: | (2000 ed.) |
| Dewey: | 823 |
| Congress: | PR9499.3.N3 B3 1980 |
| Oclc: | 6305101 |
| Preceded By: | Swami and Friends |
| Followed By: | The English Teacher |
The Bachelor of Arts (1937) is a novel written by R. K. Narayan. It is the second book of a trilogy that begins with Swami and Friends and ends with The English Teacher.[1] It is again set in Malgudi, the fictional town Narayan invented for his novels.
The story follows the coming-of-age of Chandran, a young upper-middle class college graduate into adulthood. Chandran falls in love with Malathi, who he desires to marry. Their relationship is rejected by her parents as Chandran's horoscope[2] describes him as having a Mangala Dosha -- a superstition in which a marriage to a non-Manglik, Malathi, would lead to her early death. Malathi is then married to someone else.
Heartbroken, Chandran goes to Madras and lives on the streets. Disillusioned, Chandran embraces a nomadic life, becoming a Sanyasi and renouncing his life of worldly pursuits.[2] Along his journey, Chandran is misunderstood as a great sage by the villagers he meets. After eight months, Chandran rouses to his senses, remembering his parents. He returns home, finding employment as a newsagent.
Despite his return home, Chandran still obsesses over Malathi. His father comes to him with a proposal of marriage to another girl, Sushila. Chandran is initially skeptical about finding love again, but later decides to meet her. Chandran falls in love with Sushila at first sight.