Literary Reflections on Social Hierarchy: A Comparative Study of Anand and Kalam

Abstract

This study explores how prejudices owing to social class and discrimination are depicted in two short texts, a short story, “A Pair of Mustachios” by Mulk Raj Anand, and an extract from “My Childhood” from APJ Abdul Kalam’s autobiography, prescribed by the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) in English textbooks for schools. The study compares how both writers present issues of social class and prejudice, widely prevalent in Indian society. While Anand uses humour in his fiction to expose feudal pride, Kalam shares his personal experiences of being subjected to caste and religious discrimination. Both stories help students understand social divisions and how people respond to them. The research adopts a qualitative-comparative method to analyse the texts. The paper discusses how NCERT incorporates such texts in the curriculum to sensitise students on concepts like equality and justice, while underscoring the imperative for social change. Through an analysis of characters, symbols, and authorial tone, the paper explains how both writers dwell on the topic of social injustice, to encourage new thinking. The study supports the idea that literature can create awareness and inspire positive change in society.