Genre
Short Stories
Setting and Context
Most of the stories are set in India in the 20th Century, and many are set in Calcutta.
Narrator and Point of View
The narrator is often third-person in Ray's stories.
Tone and Mood
The stories are vibrant, interesting, and often have supernatural undertones.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Ray's protagonists are often lonely men who go through some kind of significant life event.
Major Conflict
The major conflict of the protagonist is often coming to terms with an aspect of their identity or something they have experienced.
Climax
The climax of "Ashamanja Babu's Dog" is when Ashamanja finds out why his dog is laughing.
Foreshadowing
In "Indigo," Bhola Babu's advice about the journey foreshadows Bose's later troubles on the journey. He had been warned that the journey was very long and that he really ought to get a driver instead.
Understatement
N/A
Allusions
Ray alludes to the "parker pen" as a symbol of American nationality.
Imagery
Imagery is used to describe the hustle and bustle of Calcutta, and the vibrancy of city life.
Paradox
Almost paradoxically, Ashamanja refuses to sell his dog for a life-changing amount of money in "Ashamanja Babu's Dog."
Parallelism
Ashamanja and the American man are paralleled and contrasted in terms of their values in "Ashamanja Babu's Dog." While the American is superficial and obsessed with wealth and riches, Ashamanja is grateful for the small things in life.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
In "Indigo," the storm is personified, described as "striking terror" in the heart.
