The Blue Umbrella by Ruskin Bond: English Literature

The book describes life in the hill community of Garhwal (Uttarakhand) where a young girl named Binya gets a Blue Umbrella. She loves it’s beauty so much that she never closes it and carries it wherever she goes. Everyone in the village becomes envious of her but when you’re was not bothered. Her little adventures with the blue umbrella told in a straightforward manner teaches children very important values such as kindness, heroism, and the consequences of jealousy and envy.

Summary of The Blue Umbrella

“The Blue Umbrella” is a heartwarming novella (work of fiction that falls between a short story and a full-length novel in terms of length and narrative scope) by Ruskin Bond that tells the story of a young girl named Binya, who lives in a small village in the Indian Himalayas. The story revolves around an unusual and beautiful blue umbrella that Binya acquires, which becomes the center of attention and envy among the villagers.

Binya, a simple and innocent girl, trades her lucky leopard’s claw pendant for the blue umbrella with a tourist from the city. The umbrella quickly becomes the talk of the town, captivating everyone who sees it. Binya cherishes her prized possession and takes it with her wherever she goes, attracting the admiration and jealousy of her fellow villagers, especially Ram Bharosa, a shopkeeper who desires the umbrella for himself.

Driven by his greed, Ram Bharosa devises a plan to steal the umbrella from Binya. He tricks her into exchanging the umbrella for a less appealing one, leaving Binya heartbroken and devastated. However, the village cobbler, who witnesses the incident, decides to take matters into his own hands. With the help of his friends, he exposes Ram Bharosa’s deceit and retrieves the blue umbrella for Binya.

In the end, Binya is reunited with her beloved blue umbrella, and the village learns a lesson about the importance of honesty, kindness, and appreciating the simple joys in life. “The Blue Umbrella” showcases themes of innocence, desire, jealousy, and redemption while capturing the beauty of nature and the charm of village life in the Himalayas.

Main themes in “The Blue Umbrella”

Innocence and Envy: The story explores the innocence of Binya and her joy in possessing the blue umbrella. It also delves into the theme of envy, as the villagers become envious of Binya’s prized possession, leading to conflicts and deceptions.

Materialism and Greed: The novella highlights the negative effects of materialism and greed. Ram Bharosa’s desire for the blue umbrella drives him to manipulate and steal from Binya. The story serves as a reminder of the destructive nature of excessive greed and the importance of appreciating non-materialistic aspects of life.

Honesty and Integrity: The narrative emphasizes the significance of honesty and integrity. Binya’s honesty is contrasted with Ram Bharosa’s deceitful actions, illustrating the moral and emotional consequences of dishonesty. The cobbler’s intervention and the exposure of Ram Bharosa’s deceit ultimately restore justice and promote the value of truthfulness.

Redemption and Forgiveness: The concept of redemption is present in the story, as Ram Bharosa, after being exposed, seeks forgiveness and attempts to make amends for his actions. The narrative suggests that redemption and forgiveness can lead to personal growth and the restoration of relationships.

Appreciation of Simple Pleasures: “The Blue Umbrella” underscores the importance of finding joy in simple pleasures and appreciating the beauty of everyday life. Binya’s love for the blue umbrella represents her appreciation for the small wonders of the world, and the story encourages readers to notice and value the simple joys that surround them.

Nature and the Himalayas: Nature and the Himalayan setting play a significant role in the story. The descriptions of the mountains, forests, and village life evoke a sense of tranquility and provide a backdrop against which the events unfold. Nature is portrayed as a source of solace, inspiration, and wonder.

studymumbai

StudyMumbai.com is an educational resource for students, parents, and teachers, with special focus on Mumbai. Our staff includes educators with several years of experience. Our mission is to simplify learning and to provide free education. Read more about us.