The Serpent and the Rope: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Serpent and the Rope" is a novel centered around K. R. Ramaswamy, or Rama, a South Indian Brahmin research scholar navigating his intellectual and spiritual journey amidst personal turmoil. Set primarily in France from 1946 to 1954, the narrative explores Rama's relationships, particularly with his French wife, Madeleine, who struggles with her identity and beliefs as she is drawn into her husband's cultural heritage. Their marriage faces strain due to her unresolved grief over their lost children and Rama’s emotional entanglements with Savithri, a modern Hindu woman, and Lakshmi, an Indian woman he briefly loves during a trip to Bombay.
Rama's quest for truth is deeply influenced by his Indian roots and Western philosophical traditions, positioning him as a seeker balancing contrasting worlds. Other pivotal characters include Vishalakshi, his nurturing stepmother, and Georges, a pious Russian refugee who engages deeply with Rama on religious matters. The story intricately weaves themes of love, betrayal, cultural identity, and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment, inviting readers to reflect on the complexities of human relationships and the quest for understanding across different cultures.
The Serpent and the Rope: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Raja Rao
First published: 1960
Genre: Novel
Locale: Aix-en-Provence, Paris, India, and London
Plot: Philosophical
Time: The late 1940's and the early 1950's
K. R. Ramaswamy, or Rama, the narrator and protagonist. He is a South Indian Brahmin, a research scholar and historian who is living in France while writing his doctoral dissertation on the Albigensian heresy. Twenty-six years old, this handsome, consumptive, gentle, sensitive, and self-conscious intellectual leisurely recounts the story of his family background, his stay in Europe from 1946 to 1954, his marriage with a Frenchwoman at the age of twenty-one, his two trips to India, his discovery of a soul mate in a young Hindu woman studying at Cambridge, his subsequent estrangement from his French wife resulting in divorce, and his determination to go back to India to seek truth under the spiritual guidance of his guru. Deeply rooted in Indian culture and tradition and equally conversant with the philosophies of the West, Rama has chosen the abstract dialectical path in his quest for truth. He revels in abstruse thinking, metaphysical analysis, aphoristic sayings, and mythological ramblings. His two trips to India have reinforced his spiritual heritage. At the end of the novel, having finished his thesis, he is ready to embark for India to fulfill his spiritual destiny.
Madeleine (Mado) Roussellin (rew-seh-LAHN), Rama's French wife, a teacher of history. Five years older than Rama, this shy, beautiful, golden-haired intellectual is attracted to Rama's spiritual heritage and falls in love with him. After marriage, she tries to be a devoted wife and learns to venerate everything that is sacred to him. Although she is a self-avowed atheist, she turns to Buddhism to understand India and her Brahmin husband. After the death of her two infant children, however, she becomes cold, withdrawn, and aloof, absorbing herself in meditation and other Buddhist rituals. Unaware of Rama's emotional involvement with Savithri and his brief sexual encounter with Lakshmi, she initiates divorce proceedings through her cousin Catherine to release him from the bondage of marriage.
Savithri Rathor (sah-VIHT-ree), a young modern Hindu woman, the daughter of a ruling prince, studying at Cambridge. Endowed with natural grace and intelligence, this idealistic, restless, and unconventional nineteen-year-old princess is a heavy smoker and attracted to communism. Having an aversion to British rule in India, she defies her betrothal to Pratap, because as a civil servant he had served the British government faithfully. She betrays her fiancé by becoming interested in a young Muslim in London. When she meets Rama, she is dazzled by his intellectual brilliance and metaphysical knowledge. She falls in love with him, solemnizes a ritualistic and symbolic marriage, and becomes his true spiritual bride. Eventually, at Rama's persuasion, she marries Pratap and promises to be a good wife to him.
Vishalakshi, or Little Mother, Rama's stepmother, widowed at the age of twenty-six. A simple, loving woman of meager education, she spends her time in religious ceremonies and in taking care of the large household. She provides Rama with an opportunity to accompany her to Benares and other holy places to perform his father's last rites and thus to rediscover his ancient cultural heritage.
Oncle Charles, Madeleine's uncle, a notary public. Fifty-seven years old and always dressed meticulously, he exudes vitality and looks much younger than his age. A paternal figure, he pays annual visits to Rama and Madeleine and looks after Madeleine in Rama's absence.
Georges Khuschbertieff (khewsh-BYEHR-tih-yehf), a brilliant and pious Russian refugee teaching Latin at the College de Garcons. Thirty-two years old, he has a grave face, a deep voice, a twisting arm, and gray-blue flashing eyes that give him the appearance of an inspired prophet. A devout Catholic, he manifests deep interest in India in his frequent discussions of Christianity and Vedanta philosophy with Rama. Once fascinated by Madeleine, he finally discovers his marital bliss with her cousin Catherine.
Lakshmi (LUHK-shmee), a married Indian woman with whom Rama has a brief adulterous relationship during his two-week stay in Bombay. Neglected by her husband, this sad, unfulfilled, round, and fine-looking woman hungers for male attention and spends several nights of amorous enjoyment in bed with Rama with the connivance of her husband and children.
Pratap Singh, an Indian civil servant betrothed to Savithri. When he learns of Savithri's interest in a young Muslim in London, he solicits Rama's help to persuade her to keep her marital commitment to him.
Catherine (Cathy) Roussellin, Madeleine's cousin, the daughter of Oncle Charles. Shy, jovial, maternal, and five years younger than Madeleine, she marries Georges. Rama adopts her as his sister, and she helps him obtain the divorce from Madeleine.
Lezo, a young Basque refugee studying linguistics at Aix University. Deeply interested in Buddhism, he initiates Madeleine into Buddhist studies and teaches her Pali, Chinese, and Tibetan so that she can understand the various forms of Buddhism. Although he is a close friend of Georges, he flirts with Catherine before her marriage.