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Story Summary: We Too are Human Beings by Bama

We Too are Human Beings by Bama is a story about untouchability that have been persisting in India for many centuries. The narrator of this story is an untouchable herself. She remembers her childhood when she wasn’t aware of social discrimination that existed in the world, but one day she sees something bizarre that changes her perception about the outside world existed beyond her little vista. The narrator is a student of third grade and usually after school she reaches home quite late because she gets fascinated by colours of the outside world that existed between her home and school. She comes traversing a whole bazaar and a few streets which are always full of various colourful activities and so on.


One day while returning home, she sees that an elderly tall man from their street is carrying a packet by string, and also he’s walking with utmost caution and care. In her street thrashing of crops is taking place and the landlord is seated on a stone ledge. The tall man gives that packet to that landlord, who then opens the packet and eats Vadai from it. The narrator feels that an act of comedy.

She, upon reaching home, narrates the incident to her elder brother Annan. He tells her that happens because of social differences. People who are of upper-caste do not like any lower-caste person touching them, by doing so they feel polluted. The narrator feels angry upon knowing this terrible difference and she expresses her anger by saying that her people should not work for these upper caste people. It is Annan that encourages her to study well so that she always remains above all this social hue and cry. Annan makes her understand that good education will help them to rise above the segmented society which in turn will help them overcome social barriers. Taking Annan’s advice quite seriously, the narrator studies hard and ranks in flying colours in her class, due to that many of her classmates approach her for help and also appreciate her brilliance.

This story takes place in Tamil Nadu and it depicts the picture of untouchables of India, as how they struggle to live freely or roam freely wherever they want to. It is also true that education dispels the darkness caused by superstitions and social barriers. Thus, the narrator is aptly correct in saying that education has the power to life people above from their miseries and other constraints.

Do you love exploring stories build around social discrimination and other barriers, well then do try this post as well: https://goo.gl/LuTDJh

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