The Jewel in the Crown: Art of Characterization
 

[B]“The Jewel in the Crown”[/B] is essentially a [B][I]social chronicle[/I][/B] in which he has tried to convey his theme by employing [B][I]‘mass observation’ technique[/I][/B]. He seems to beat his best in delineating different Indians and Anglo-Indian characters.

The main characters of the novel may be divided into [B][I]two main groups[/I][/B] – the [B][I]British[/I][/B] and the [B][I]Indian[/I][/B]. Daphne Manners, Mrs. Crane, Mr. Merrick, Mr. Reid, Mr. White and Mr. Poulson fall in flat category. Out of a galaxy of these British characters Mr. Merrick and Mr. Reid are [B][I]antagonistic[/I][/B] towards the Indian. They have least sympathy for them over their afflictions and deprivations. On the other hand, Daphne Manners and Mrs. Edwina Crane have [B][I]genuine sympathy[/I][/B] for the Indians. Mrs. Crane had a soft corner for the Indians because she regarded [B][I]imperial India as one[/I][/B] [B][I]family[/I][/B] bound together by the filial and cordial bounds. The British civil officers Mr. White and Mr. Paulson are also interested in well being of he [B][I]colonial slaves regardless of creed colour compose[/I][/B]. Brig. Reid and Mr. Merrick regarded as their duty to be hard on the Indians.

The Indian characters include Hari Kumar, Aunt Shalini, Lady Chatterjee, Mr. Srinivasan, Mr. Chaudhuri and Mr. Vidyasagar. They are all [B][I]anglicized[/I][/B] [B][I]Indians[/I][/B] who know the British culture and can speak and write English. Lady Chatterjee has very[B][I] intimate and coldly relations [/I][/B]with the British hierarchy. Her [B][I]excellent English[/I][/B] makes communication easy. She understands and respects British traditions and keeps the Indians at arms length. Daleep Kumar had dreamed of making his son, [B][I]Hari Kumar more English than the English[/I][/B]. He thought that his anglicized son would bring him a great name and fame. But his experiment failed miserably. Hari Kumar could speak English with British accent. The Indians looked down upon Hari for his British accent and the British gave him a cold shoulder for the colour of his skin. All these characters and their traits give us the understanding that Paul Scott's characters are [B][I]true to life[/I][/B]. They are [B][I]not[/I][/B] [B][I]delineated[/I][/B] as types but as individuals. Through these characters he has thrown a flood of light upon [B][I]inter-communal[/I][/B] and [B][I]inter-racial discriminations[/I][/B].

Paul Scott deserves credit for his [B]unmatched art of characterization[/B]. His characters portrayal is essentially [B]objective[/B]. He has delineated his characters with [B][I]intellectual honesty[/I][/B]. Himself an Englishman, Paul Scott does not identify himself with the white imperial masters, rather his sympathies are with the suffering humanity may the sufferer be Daphne Manners or Hari Kumar or Mr. Chaudhuri. Almost all his characters are [B][I]part of Indian history[/I][/B]. He has neither distorted history not has tried to present huge and gigantic fictions characters. The reader feels that he may come across such characters or individual while passing through any Indian street. Daphne Manners and Hari Kumar are definitely [B][I]developing characters[/I][/B] who change with changing times but their love remains strong. Merrick and Brig. Reid are two [B][I]villainous[/I][/B] [B][I]characters[/I][/B] to fit into the category of [B][I]static or flat characters[/I][/B].

The [B]“Raj Quartet”[/B] has a large number of characters hailing from [B][I]different classes[/I][/B] of Indian society through the [B][I]galaxy[/I][/B] of these characters. He has provided us with a [B][I]panoramic view[/I][/B] of the [B][I]social, political[/I][/B], and [B][I]economic milieu[/I][/B] of India. They are [B][I]men and women of flesh and blood[/I][/B] who taste the spice of life to core. They maintain their [B][I]distinct identities[/I][/B] and at the same time they symbolize certain human traits and attitudes. Sister Ludmila for instance, is a [B][I]philanthropist[/I][/B] who had dedicated herself for the cause of the [B][I]poverty stricken, homeless, afflicted[/I][/B] and [B][I]wretched Indians[/I][/B]. She appears to be an [B][I]ethereal figure[/I][/B] whose [B][I]true identity is a mystery[/I][/B]. She belongs nowhere and she belongs everywhere. Paul Scott has delineated her character with [B][I]superb skill[/I][/B]. She broods over the heart of the book like an angle or an ethereal figure. It is not clear from where she has come to India. It is also an enigma form where she secured her money but one thing shows that she is devoted to her mission; her sanctuary provides refuge and helps the needy.

It is [B][I]not a[/I][/B] [B][I]child’s play[/I][/B] to handle dozens of the characters in one book but Paul deserves full credit for doing [B][I]justice to all his characters[/I][/B] without showing any loophole at any stage of the Quartet. There is not any single character that is far from reality. Here the novelist appears to be apart with the authors of [B]“Tom Jones”[/B], [B]“War and Peace”[/B] and the [B]“Middle March”[/B]. As far as his realistic portrayal of character is concerned Scott seems to have caught up with E. M. Forster.

Paul Scott’s characters are [B][I]individuals[/I][/B] [B][I]as well as types[/I][/B]. Each character is [B][I]distinguished[/I][/B] from the other for his or her physical features and the traits of behaviour. Lady Chatterjee maintains her [B][I]distinct individuality[/I][/B] but at the same time represents Indian feudal class. She enjoys intimate relation with British officers and her Macgregor house has become the meeting place of the members of Indian feudal society. She typifies those Indians who were very proud of their social links with their masters. Mr. Merrick andMr. Reid stand for[B][I] typical imperialistic mentality[/I][/B].

Daleep Kumar represents that class of the Indian society, which was [B][I]over caught and profoundly impressed [/I][/B]by English language and culture. Miss Crane symbolizes those [B][I]benevolent[/I][/B] people, who devote themselves for the cause of suffering and afflicting humanity. Daphne Manners is an emblem of love and affection. She loves India and the Indians. Ironically enough; she pays the price for not only her personal sins but also the excuses and sins committed by her nation.

Through his [B][I]objective and penetrating[/I][/B] portrayal of character, Paul Scott has made his book a masterpiece. Though the characters are so many, but they do not confuse the reader rather the reader gets the [B][I]panoramic picture[/I][/B] of the social and political scene of India from 1942 to 1947.