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The Local Woman
The elder brother is one of the wealthier boys in town, the son of a babu and the older sibling to the younger brother. Perhaps because of his youth, the elder brother appears to question many of the caste stereotypes that dominate life in Bulashah, agreeing to teach Bakha English and defending Bakha against high-caste peoples’ accusations. The elder brother also frequently plays hockey with Bakha, Chota, and Ram Charan, despite his mother’s protestations.
The Elder Brother Quotes in Untouchable
The Untouchable quotes below are all either spoken by The Elder Brother or refer to The Elder Brother. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Pages 73–105
Quotes
What had [Bakha] done to deserve such treatment? He loved the child. He had been very sorry when Chota refused to let him join the game. Then why should the boy's mother abuse him when he had tried to be kind? […] ‘Of course, I polluted the child. I couldn't help doing so. I knew my touch would pollute. But it was impossible not to pick him up. He was dazed, the poor little thing. And she abused me. I only get abuse and derision wherever I go. Pollution, pollution, I do nothing else but pollute people. They all say that: “Polluted, polluted!” She was perhaps justified though. Her son was injured. She could have said anything. It was my fault and of the other boys too. Why did we start that quarrel? It started on account of the goal I scored. Cursed me! The poor child!’
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Explanation and Analysis:
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The Elder Brother Quotes in Untouchable
The Untouchable quotes below are all either spoken by The Elder Brother or refer to The Elder Brother. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Pages 73–105
Quotes
What had [Bakha] done to deserve such treatment? He loved the child. He had been very sorry when Chota refused to let him join the game. Then why should the boy's mother abuse him when he had tried to be kind? […] ‘Of course, I polluted the child. I couldn't help doing so. I knew my touch would pollute. But it was impossible not to pick him up. He was dazed, the poor little thing. And she abused me. I only get abuse and derision wherever I go. Pollution, pollution, I do nothing else but pollute people. They all say that: “Polluted, polluted!” She was perhaps justified though. Her son was injured. She could have said anything. It was my fault and of the other boys too. Why did we start that quarrel? It started on account of the goal I scored. Cursed me! The poor child!’
Related Characters:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
