Introduction
This story, like most of R.K. Laxman’s earlier works, deals with the topics of false prestige and society in a frank and humorous manner. The author tells the story of Datta, a framer who splatters paint over a photograph of an elderly and respected gentleman that a customer requested framed. After destroying the client’s photograph, Datta fabricates a scheme in which he would deceive the customer by using another photograph. Datta is not only deceitful, but also dishonest in not taking full responsibility for his acts. The surprising and detailed portrayal of seemingly average people contributes to the story’s hilarity.
The Modern Frame Works was a big wooden packing case sandwiched between two other stores. The plot revolves around Datta, the owner of the Modern Frame Works. He was a slender man with silver-rimmed glasses and a complexion like seasoned wood. He was a quiet, diligent individual. He kept to himself and avoided casual friends and meaningless conversation.
About Author: RK Laxman:
Rasipuram Krishnaswamy Iyer Laxman is an Indian cartoonist, illustrator and humorist. About him one can consider to be the pioneer of the realistic humorist with ironical perspectives. He is widely regarded as India’s greatest-ever cartoonist and is best known for his creation ‘The Common Man.’ He is the brother of R.K. Narayan. His other famous works are The Tunnel of Time: An Autobiography, A Dose of Laughter, Brushing Up The Years: A Cartoonist’s History of India, Laugh with Laxman Vol. 1 & 2, A Vote for Humor and many other works that gives our life to look on humorous sense of human being.
Analyze the story:
The present story starts with Datta. Who is the owner of a small shop called The Modern Frame Works. He used to put pictures into frames. Datta usually do not start the works because it often happened that when customers give the order to make frame for photo then Datta make it with full enthusiasm and in given time. But customers don’t show months or sometimes never. So Datta use to make frames while customer comes twice for it and make sure.
One day a customer comes to Datta’s shop with a faded picture of an elderly person. The customer’s name is not given the story. The man in the picture has whiskers and a huge turban. It is a standard portrait taken in a by-gone era. The customer speaks with reverence about the great qualities of the man. He demands that the best frame be used and, after considerable discussion, settles on an imported German frame with an oval cut mount.
Datta is well passionate man for his work and though the work is to be delivered after a fortnight, the customer shows up after just ten days and asks if it is ready. He understands then that the customer is quite serious about getting the photo framed. Obviously the photo is a cherished possession and the customer has immense regard for the person in the photo.
Datta decides to begin work at once. But then a terrible thing happens. A tin of enamel paint accidentally spills over the photo. Datta tries to rub the paint on the photo with a cloth but unfortunately half the face and the entire turban get erased. Datta is panic-stricken. He does not know what to do as the photograph is completely spoilt. Data racked his brain for a long while till he was overtaken by exhaustion.
As he looks around in dismay, an idea takes shape in Datta’s mind. He plans to substitute the damaged photo with another photo which is somewhat similar. He finds a suitable photo for this purpose and puts it in a dazzling gold frame. He hopes that his deception will go unnoticed. Nonetheless, he is anxious and nervous.
Datta was nervous about the hoax he had played. At last, the customer came for his photograph. Datta's heart began to race. Nevertheless, he gave the photograph to the customer. The customer arrives and asks if the work has been completed. Datta slowly removes the cover and hands over the photo. The customer eagerly looks at it. Datta waits with bated breath. Almost at once the customer shouts in anger, “What have you done?” Datta fears the worst. He thinks that his deception has been noticed. He had practiced several times how he would feign ignorance or deny it if he was accused of using a different photo.
But before Datta can open his mouth, the customer continues shouting that while he had asked for an oval frame, ‘Now don’t deny it! I clearly remember asking for a cut mount with an oval shape. This is square, Look!’ Datta had used a square one! Datta realizes then that the customer had not noticed that the photo itself was different. He had merely objected to the frame. He is relieved, as he knows that at the most, he might have to change the frame.
Characters
Datta:
The Character of Datta plays a vital role here to describe the story. He is the owner of ‘The Modern Frame’ shop. He gives the essence of how human mind is working with sentimental process. It is true that this story also gives the realistic flavor of irony & satire to the sense of observing and thinking. As it is said that every day is deferent, every day’s thinking is deferent and every lock’s key deferent so like that, here we put the character of Datta and another one is the customer. He used to put pictures into frames. One day a customer comes to Datta’s shop with a faded picture of an elderly person. The man in the picture has whiskers and a huge turban.
Datta decides to begin work at once. But then a terrible thing happens. A tin of enamel paint accidentally spills over the photo. Datta tries to rub the paint on the photo with a cloth but unfortunately half the face and the entire turban get erased. Datta is panic-stricken. He does not know what to do as the photograph is completely spoilt. As he looks around in dismay, an idea takes shape in Datta’s mind. That shows how his ideology is working here with dilemma in his mind but however he uses to manage it and later on he made frame with another similar face photo but still worriedness is visible from him.
When customer arrives and almost at once the customer shouts in anger, “What have you done?” Datta fears the worst. He thinks that his deception has been noticed. He had practiced several times how he would feign ignorance or deny it if he was accused of using a different photo. Before Datta can open his mouth, the customer continues shouting that while he had asked for an oval frame; Datta had used a square one! Datta realizes then that the customer had not noticed that the photo itself was different. He had merely objected to the frame. He is relieved, as he knows that at the most, he might have to change the frame. This is how partial of Datta is dignified here with concluding the things in his own way. It is so realistically humorous with satire the process of observing, thinking, and the sentimental blindness.
Conclusion
Human being has a predicament in every known things and that is how human senses are working. Writer is coming with humorous aspects. How it is to be dignify with the sarcasm and humorous sentiments of person is presently observed in the story.
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