The Serang Of Ranaganji
1. What was notable about the appearance of the Indian sprang?
He was squat and looked very ugly. He was with short legs and a large disproportionate head.
2. Who were the passengers were on the Ranaganji?
The passengers were on the Ranaganji were tourists and pleasure seekers.
3. Who was Miss Jope-Smith? Write a short character sketch.
Miss Jope-Smith was a passenger on the Ranaganji. She was a thrusting person. She was over thirty but she dressed herself smartly and in a dashing style to look younger. She was a first class passenger on the Ranaganji. She was always seen with her male companion Ronnie. She was a snob and a big bore. Her comment aboutjhe serang was ‘an absurdly comic creature’. When, aTthe end of the story, she asks the narrator whether he had kept the serang in a cage, the narrator gave her a befitting reply. He said that he had kept the serang in a cage but all the animals were outside. He meant that she was an animal with her rude remark about people and her showing off nature.
4. What was the condition of the seamen who were brought by the serang to Dr Cronin?
The seamen did not look well. They complained of general illness, strong headache and severe bone pains. They looked frightened, as the doctor began to examine them. Both had fever. Theirtongueswere covered with thick sputum. They had dry skin, which is nature’s gravest warning. The doctor then discovered hard little nodules under the wrist skin of each man. It was the sure symptom of smallpox.
5. How did AJ Cronin conclude that the seamen were inflected with smallpox?
AJ Cronin concluded that the seamen were inflected wi.th smallpox because he discovered hard little nodules under their wrist skin. It was the sure symptom of smallpox.
6. Describe Captain Hamble. What was his reaction when he heard about the breakout of smallpox on the ship?
Captain Hamble was a thickset man of fifty five. He was known as a strict disciplinarian. When the doctor told him that two of the deckhands had small pox, Captain Hamble’s lips drew tightly together showing his tension. He was also a just and fair-minded officer. When he heard about the breakout of smallpox on the ship, he asked the doctor to do his best to keep the disease frorn spreading. He also wanted others not to know of the disease as passengers would then get panicky.
7. Where and how was the shelter for the infected patients made?
The shelter for the infected patients was made in the back part of the ship where it wouldn’t be so visible to others. Hasan was the main person who made the shelter. In an hour he erected a large canvas shelter. Mattresses and sheets were then brought up and the two patients were placed there.
8. How did the serang take care of the diseased patients?
The serang was very sincere and compassionate in caring for the diseased patients. It was a situation to test the strongest nerves. But the serang was calm and undisturbed. In attending the patients, he seemed untiring. The doctor had to beg him to be careful and asked him not to go too close to the patients. But the serang was not afraid and he continued taking care of the patients in all possible ways.
9. What information did Dr Cronin collect about the serang?
Dr Cronin I gathered some information about the serang’s past history. His name was Hasan. He was from the Punjab. But his parents had moved into south India. There like many others in the coastal region he had taken to the sea-faring life. For nearly 40 years, he had been travelling in the various oceans of the world. In the Ranaganji he had spent 15 years. He had no place on shore; he had no friends or family. He had never married. He was a Muslim. All his life he had acquired nothing, neither money nor property. What he had was worth a few rupees and it was in the ship.
10. What was Hasan’s attitude to life, as explained to Cronin?
Hasan thought money was of no use for someone who had all that he needed. He was quite happy with the way he was. He needed no extra money for his service. He had no respect for money and he despised it. He was never worried about tomorrow.
Character Sketch Of Hasan, The Serang
Hasan is the serang of the ship Ranaganji. He looks like a squat, ugly, native seaman with short legs and disproportionate head. He is from the Punjab. He has been working in the ship for forty years and he has been in Ranaganji for fifteen years. He has no place of his own on the shore. He has no family, friends or relatives. He has never married. He is a Muslim. He has no money or property. He is not at all interested in such things and so he never cares to accumulate such savings. He is very sincere in his duty. He never expects any reward for his work. Courage, self control and faith are his assets. He helps the doctor by assisting him in watching the patients and caring them. He is ready to serve them even though it is a contagious disease. He prays for the patients. His heart feels deeply for them. He cries for them also. He is very truthful and dutiful. When the patients die, their bodies are thrown into the sea only after his prayer. He has no frenzy like feeling for his own religion but he advocates communal harmony through his character. The incidents in the story reveals the sympathetic as well as empathetic feelings of Hasan.The ending of the story – ‘the animals were all outside’ hints at the character of serang who is presented here as an illustration for a man with a good heart thought and deed.
ACTIVITY - I ( Think and respond)
1. Do you agree with A.J. Cronin’s remark that ‘the animals were all outside.’ Why?
I partly agree with A.J. Cronin’s remark that ‘the . animals were all outside.’ People like Miss Jope- Smith and her companion Ronnie were definitely animals. They could not see a man as a man but as an animal. I don’t think all the 1500 passengers and the crew outside were as bad as these two people. That is why I said I partly, and not wholly, agree.
2. Do you think that A.J. Cronin should have reported the selfless efforts of Hasan to the authorities and recommended him for rewards and promotion?
In normal circumstances, I would say ‘yes’. But in the case of Hasan he is already happy with his life and his position. I don’t think any rewards and promotion would make him happier. His is a contented man and contentment can’t be got through rewards and promotion.
3. How is the world view of the passengers in general different from that of Hasan?
The .passengers are mostly tourists and pleasure seekers. They find joy in partying and such things. They strive all their life for success and earning more wealth, as the doctor himself testifies. But for Hasan, happiness is service and he is contented. He is neither interested in parties nor in wealth or success.
4. “Why, naturally it is me.” These words show that Hasan is very ready to shoulder any responsibility happily. Comment on Hasan’s ability to volunteer at the time of an emergency.
Smallpox is a deadly disease and it is very contagious. Nobody would like to go near a person afflicted with smallpox. Hasan is a serang and he is no way obliged to nurse the sick people. He could have easily said he would not take care of the sick, as it does not form part of his job obligations. But the moment the doctor asked who would help him the ready reply comes from Hasan. By volunteering to nurse the sick men, he was risking his life. It is not easy to find such good people in the world which strives for success and wealth. People like Hasan are very rare and such people will always come forward in case of any emergency.
ACTIVITY - II (Letter)
* You know that A.J. Cronin, the physician of the ship is extremely impressed by the service of Hasan. Imagine that after the voyage, Cronin writes a letter to the director of the company which owns the ship Ranaganji, detailing the selfless service Hasan rendered during the voyage. He also requests the director to reward Hasan with a promotion in return for his service. Draft the letter which Cronin would write.
Answer:
Government Hospital
Lord Curson Lane
Calcutta
17 July 1940
The Director
Eastern Import Export Company
Strand
London
Dear Sir,
Sub: Hasan, the Serang on Ranaganji
Our last trip to Calcutta was quite eventful. Ranaganji had nearly 1500 passengers – mostly tourists and pleasure seekers. The voyage to Calcutta began favourably in calm, clear weather and we passed Aden without any incident. Now we were in the Arabian Sea.
To our dismay and horror we discovered that two of our lascar deck hands had small pox. When I reported the matterto the Captain, Mr. Hamble, he told me to keep the matter a secret as the news would spread panic among the passengers. I was quite worried and did not know what to do and how to cope with the problem. It was then I realized what a good man Hasan, our serang, was. He told me not to worry. He made a shelter in the stern of the ship into which the infected patients were moved. He volunteered to nurse them without worrying about his own safety. Later more workers were diagnosed with smallpox. In all we had 14 cases and Hassan took care of all of them without murmur and complaint. I was astonished at his selfless service and devotion.
Later two sick men died. Hasan sewed their shrouds and read loud a short passage from the Ramayana. We should know that he himself was a devout Muslim but he read the Ramayana because the persons who died were Hindus. It showed his religious tolerance. After that he cast the bodies overboard at midnight. When we reached Colombo the sick men were taken to the hospital. Hasan was in the forefront to help them, although some of them were with running sores of smallpox. Normally no one would dare to do such things. But Hasan did it. He really loved men.
It is difficult to find such unselfish and self-sacrificing people like Hasan. I strongly recommend that Hassan be given a promotion in recognition of his great services to the company. He should be made the Chief Petty Officer of Ranaganji.
I will talk to you more about the trip to Calcutta when I return to London.
With regards,
(A.J. Cronin)
Chief Physician of Ranaganji
Activity – III (Speech)
* The Director of the Company receives a letter from A.J. Cronin. He is pleased with the service rendered by Hasan throughout the voyage. They arrange a special get-together of all the officials and crew of the ship. In that get-together, the Managing Director of the company announces that the company appreciates the service of Hasan and promotes him as the Chief Petty Officer of the ship. The Director invites Hasan to speak a few words on this occasion.
Imagine that you are Hasan. What would be your reaction and feelings at this moment? Draft a speech that you would deliver on the occasion.
Dear Director, Dr. Cronin, respected officers and crew members, I am so happy to be given this kind of recognition by the Company and the officers. I don’t think I did anything great in serving the sick people in the ship.
Wasn’t it my duty to serve the suffering? Allah has given us this life to love and serve others. When we get a chance we should be able to of service to others.
I am a Muslim. But I believe we all are children of God. That is why I even read from the Ramayana some relevant part when I sewed the shroud for the dead people and wanted to cast them overboard. I was not worried about getting the disease because I felt that life is a gift from God. He will take it way whenever he likes. Whatever precautions you might take, you can’t prevent death from coming to you.
I don’t value money or position much. But I am happy that I am given promotion because it will help me to do more service to my brethren. I would like to end my humble words with a quotation from the Bible. It asks: What is the use of earning so much wealth in this world,’ if you lose your soul? So my advice to my friends is ‘Help others as much as possible.’
Before I close I want to thank Dr. Cronin and the Chairman forgiving me the promotion. I assure them that I will continue doing my best for the Company. May the Almighty Allah bless you all and thank you!
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