English Project

Acknowledgement
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have supported and
contributed to the successful completion of my project.Firstly,I would like to thank my
dedicated teacher ,Ms Avinanda Sarkar,for her guidance and encouragement
throughout this project.Her expertise and valuable feedback have been instrumental in
shaping the direction and quality of my work.

I am also deeply thankful to my parents for their constant support and encouragement.
Their belief in my abilities and their unwavering encouragement have been the driving
force of my accomplishments.

Prose
The Boy who Broke the Bank
Ruskin Bond
About the author
Ruskin Bond is a celebrated Indian author, born on May 19, 1934, in Kasauli. He is
known for his children's literature and evocative short stories that often reflect the
beauty of nature and small-town life in India. His notable works include "The Room on
the Roof," which won the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize. Bond has received several
awards, including the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Padma Shri, and remains a
beloved figure in Indian literature.

"The Boy Who Broke the Bank" is a charming short story by Ruskin Bond about a
young boy whose innocent mischief leads to a bank running out of money. The tale
explores themes of childhood curiosity and the impact of small actions, reflecting Bond's
signature blend of humor and life lessons.

Introduction
The Boy who Broke the Bank tells us about how small gossip can lead to several
disasters. Over here a misunderstood comment by a boy leads to growing suspicion of
the breakdown of a local bank in the city of Pipal Nagar.The suspicion had turned out to
be wrong and in the end the downfall of the Bank could be solely blamed on the gossip
of the people of the town.Through this story,the author tries to tell us about the
frightening effect of rumors and untruths.It also tells us that gossip should be avoided
and that small gossip can have grave consequences.
Through this story,the author tries to tell us about the frightening effect of rumors and
untruths.It also tells us that gossip should be avoided and that small gossip can have
grave consequences.

Synopsis
Nathu was a sweeper who worked for the Seth Govind ram bank .He was sweeping the
steps of the bank in hurried manner and was raising a lot dust. The washermans son,
sitaram was passing by with a bundle of clothes on him. He told Nathu to stop raising so
much dust.Then he asked nathu if he was annoyed a he hadn't received his
monthly.nathu complained about it and said that he hadn't been given his pay for a
while. He said that he would leave the Bank after receiving his pay.Sitaram then wishes
him good luck and tells him that he'll be on lookout for jobs for
him
At the fourth home he visited ,sitaram heard the lady of the house complaining that she
was in need of a sweeper. At this sitaram said that he had a friend who was working
with the Bank and soon would be leaving.he said that the boy wasn't receiving his pay
and that's the reason for his wanting to leave the bank.The lady of the house,Ms
Srivastava nodded to this and told sitaram to tell the boy to come and see him
tomorrow.
Later ,Ms. Srivastavahad gone shopping for clothes when she was done she left and
met her friend Ms.bhushan sitting under tamarind tree. They talked and then the topic
of the Bank was brought up. Ms.srivastava said that the Bank was not able eto their
employees their their salary.Through this discussion they assumed that the Bank was
in a bad way.
Ms. Bhushan then went to find her husband.She found him at Kishores photography
shop.Then Ms Bhushan told her husband that the Bank was going bankrupt.Kishore
,the owner of the shop was surprised on hearing this.He called out to his neighbor on h
hearing this news as his neighbor had a bank account in that bank.Deep chand the
barber on hearing this was very startled and he accidentally nicked the ear of the
customer .The customer yelped with pain and distress .Pain because of the hurt and
distress because of the devastating news he heard.He then sped across to the
merchants store.over there he made call to the owner of the Bank. It turns out the Seth
was not at home. On listening to this information the man immediately assumed that the
Seth had fled and the Bank had collapsed.
The news spread through the bazaar like wildfire.Men stood in groups at street corners
discussing the situation. Pipalnagar seldom had a crisis so the collapse of the local
bank set everyone talking and speculating.
Many people started withdrawing their money from the Bank and by noon the Bank had
gone through all its ready money.The bank manager was in a dilemma as funds could
only be obtained from a bank thirty miles away.People were told to take back all their
money the next day.they didn't like the sound of and soon enough a mob had gathered
around the Bank.They started throw stones and bricks at the glass windows of the
Bank.
The next day nathu arrived to clean the Bank and saw all the mess in the place .He
cursed the people who had created this as he had to be the one to clean it.The
washermans son sitaram was passing by.he told Nathu about the Banks collapse and
said that he should find a job elsewhere as the Bank had collapsed . Nathu was
shocked and then thought about how this had Come to happen.

Character analysis
Nathu
He was sweeper boy working for the Seth Govind Ram bank. He hadn't received his
spay from a long time . Also,he had requested that his salary be increased by two
rupees .

Sitaram
He is the washermans son in this story.He is a kind hearted person and is always ready
to help others.He had told told Mrs srivaastava about the fact the sweeper boy hadn't
been paid

Ms.srivastava
She is the lady of a house in this story.In the starting of the story she was looking for a
sweeper.Sitaram had suggested nathu to her. It can also said that she was fond of
clothes as she went cloth shopping daily .She had a good friend, Mrs Bhushan whom
she always gossiped with.

Themes
Some major themes in this poem are ,
● Elements of humor
● Chaos
● Evils of society in the form of child labour
● Ill effects of gossip and rumors
● distortion of reality
● Importance of materialistic wealth
● Emotions such as panic and anxiety
Figures of speech
● Imagery
● Irony
● Onomatopoeia
● Simile
● Metaphor
● Hyperbole

Critical Analysis

Nathu, being responsible for a bank’s failure doesn’t understand why it occurred, the
entire scenario is ironic. Even worse, he has no bank account himself. All he wanted
was his payment. The bank falling may appear like the ideal plan to the readers
because it serves as retaliation for the bank’s disregard for Nathu’s struggle, but it puts
him in a worse situation. The Pipalnagar Bank, the market, and a huge shady tamarind
tree may all be seen in the town, which serves as the setting for the story. The setting
aids in giving the story’s events a sense of place and atmosphere. Nathu is depicted as
a whiny and unhappy sweeper boy who is irritated by the bank’s failure to pay his
paycheck on time. On the other hand, Sitaram is portrayed as a supportive friend who is
willing to aid Nathu. Sitaram and Nathu’s talk displays their dissimilar personalities and
issues. Sitaram sympathizes with Nathu and offers to assist him find alternative
employment when he reveals his displeasure with the bank and his desire to leave.

The irony is that Nathu, a bank employee, is having financial difficulties and hasn’t
gotten his normal income. It emphasizes the injustice experienced by the
underprivileged. In Sitaram’s contact with Mrs. Srivastava, who cites the want for a
sweeper, there may be a chance for Nathu to secure employment. This creates the
conditions for a potential solution to Nathu’s problem.

The story uses a variety of literary devices to depict the conflicts that the people and
their relationships face. It introduces issues like injustice and poverty while making
suggestions for potential resolutions and the value of friendship.

The interconnectivity of the town’s characters is another theme in the novel. Mrs.
Bhushan departs from Mrs. Srivastava and heads over to where her husband is talking
with Kamal Kishore, the owner of a photo store. Deep Chand, a neighbor, is informed by
Kamal Kishore of the bank’s fate. The narrative illustrates how news may affect people’s
lives and how it can travel swiftly in a small community. The conversation and
exchanges between the characters give the story substance. The conversation makes
the scene more interesting for readers by capturing their worries, responses, and
exchanges. Dialogue is used by the author to provide information and advance the plot.
The narrative explores the themes of heat, financial instability, and communal bonds
while offering a window into the lives of the inhabitants of Pipalnagar.

Message conveyed

The chapter ‘The Boy Who Broke the Bank’ depicts how one misunderstanding spread
can affect people's lives like a chain reaction. The beggar who ran to the bank who was
lying all these days demonstrates that appearances are deceptive. The tale also
reminds us to not believe what everyone says and to enhance effective
communication.It also tells about the injustice of the underprivileged of the society and
also about child labour.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Boy Who Broke the Bank" highlights the impact of rumors and the
power of misinformation in a small community. Through the story of Nathu, a simple
misunderstanding escalates into chaos, demonstrating how quickly information can
spread and how it can affect people's perceptions and actions. The narrative
underscores the importance of clear communication and responsible dissemination of
information. As we reflect on the events of the story, we are reminded of the broader
implications of unchecked rumors in society, emphasizing the need for integrity,
transparency, and accountability in communication.