34 pages • 1 hour read
Mulk Raj AnandUntouchable
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1935A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Untouchable by Mulk Raj Anand charts a day in the life of Bakha, a young man enslaved by India's caste system. Bakha, an Untouchable, cleans latrines and faces mistreatment from upper caste Hindus. After he and his sister endure numerous indignities, Bakha attends Gandhi's speech advocating for the end of the caste system. Bakha's hopes rest on societal reforms and the arrival of innovations like flushing toilets. The book includes instances of sexual assault.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Mulk Raj Anand's Untouchable receives acclaim for its powerful portrayal of caste discrimination in India. Critics laud Anand's empathetic character development and vivid narrative style, though some find the novel's didactic tone and graphic depictions challenging. Overall, the work is praised for its historical significance and emotional impact.
Who Should Read Untouchable?
Readers who would enjoy Untouchable by Mulk Raj Anand are often those interested in social justice, Indian history, and caste discrimination. Fans of works like To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee or The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy will appreciate the poignant exploration of marginalized communities and the fight for dignity.