Characterization in The Red Carpet

Lavanyan Sankaran, author of The Red Carpet, develops the characterizations of the story’s main characters, Raju and May-dum, and by doing so, simultaneously develops their relationship, in order to portray her purpose. The purpose of the story is to express that the caste system, though at times is temporarily disregarded, is a constant and implicit part of life in India. By using character development, Sankaran shows the changes in Raju’s and May-dum’s mindsets and the shifts in their interactions and relationship. Their relationship gradually develops from one lacking in understanding, to a friendlier relationship in which understanding is present. To make her point that the caste system is a constant (although at times subtle) part of life, Sankaran, includes a regression in May-dum’s character at the end of the story. This allows the reader to grasp the purpose: that the caste system isn’t easily overcome.

The author begins by characterizing the two characters in such a way that makes the differences between their respective castes apparent. For example, the author uses car situation to show the difference in lifestyles. The narrator describes Raju as very proud and in awe of the vehicle. The narrator reports, “Even smarter, Raju thought, loving its gleaming whiteness and fancy interior. He was aware that she didn’t share his opinion” (Sankaran 4) and then describes May-dum’s reaction, “Oh God, not white!”.(4) The very feature, the white color, that Raju admires, May-dum denounces. The same goes for the red carpet. This shows the stark differences between what the lower and higher castes appreciate. This characterizes May-dum as unappreciative and ashamed of what she has and Raju as unfamiliar with upper class taste. Furthermore, the friend that inspected the car with May-dum agrees that it looks like a “greasy politician’s car”. The friend’s judgmental nature already shows that there are standards concerning public image that May-dum has to live up to.

Another feature the author uses to contrast the main characters’ is the diction used to describe May-dum’s personality and in turn to describe Raju’s personality as well. Raju, on multiple occasions, describes May-dum and her lifestyle as that of a “film star” (5). He even generalizes the lives of the upper class as “movie-star lives” (2). The words “film star” and “movie-star” clearly come with connotations of a superficial, unappreciative, uncaring, and in this case, wild lifestyle. Also, by Raju saying this, the author characterizes Raju as judgmental and unable to relate with May-dum. Raju continues to exhibit disapproval toward the fact that May-dum smokes, wears scanty clothes, and parties. At the same time, May-dum is continually portrayed a wild socialite. By using all of these techniques, the author wants to isolate each caste to get the reader to see how difficult it would be to interact, bond, or simply understand another caste’s lifestyle.

After setting up such a contrast between Raju and May-dum, the author begins to blur the lines between the castes. Sankaran introduces common ground between the two by introducing a type of sympathy and creating friendly interaction between the characters. Although Raju’s opinion of May-dum remains judgmental, it is to a lesser degree. The narrator discloses, “[Raju] knew that this behavior was unacceptable. Immoral. Should be stopped. He also knew that he shouldn’t by any calculation, like and respect May-dum so much. But there didn’t seem to be anything he could do about that either” (6). Raju maintains his judgments but at the same time he admires May-dum. Part of his attitude has clearly shifted. Later the narrator reveals that Raju began, “…telling [May-dum] everything: all his hopes, his dreams, his fondest wishes for his beloved Hema, and the despair that had dogged his footsteps these past months” (8). Raju feels the ability to open up with May-dum. Since Raju shifts to admiring May-dum, May-dum clearly had to have changed her own personality to allow such a change in Raju’s perception of her. For example May-dum inquires about Hema’s schooling, therefore showing a degree of concern. The change in May-dum is also made apparent when the author makes May-dum go against previous characterization, by acting respectfully and sympathetically towards Raju and his family during her visit. The shift in Raju’s opinion and the shift in May-dum’s portrayal lead to a change in their relationship. The relationship between Raju and May-dum becomes one of mutual understanding.

The final shift, or reiteration rather, that occurs in May-dum’s personality at the close of the story is what ties the purpose together and what makes it so apparent. The author has made May-dum out to be a woman that goes against tradition, but later reveals her as having a respectful, understanding side. This initial characterization shift therefore causes the reader to conclude that the differences in castes can be overcome. This is belief is rebuffed when after just leaving Raju’s home, May-dum responds to a friend questioning where she had just been by saying, “Visiting.”(11). By not providing further explanation, the reader gets the impression that May-dum is ashamed of her visit and needs to maintain her public image. Just when the lines between the castes seem to be blurred, it becomes apparent that despite the supposed development of understanding and respect between Raju and May-dum, the unchangeable differences in the castes and maintaining public image are still prevailing realities.

Sankaran presents the characters in such a manner, that the reader is made to believe in a greater good. The shift in characterization and therefore in the characters’ relationship is used to make the reader feel as if the caste system can be overcome or changed. By including a final shift in characterization, specifically in May-dum, the author reminds the reader that the caste system and the maintenance of public image is a constant fact of life, and despite being subtle at times, will always prevail.