Ruskin Bond is a proficient Indian author of British descent who writes in multiple genres and is best known for his short stories for children. Bond’s short novel The Blue Umbrella is centered on diverse aspects of human nature. In this novel, demonstration of human nature includes materialism, greed, selfishness, kindness and innocence. Being great children’s authors of modern times, he often shows the mind-set of adults through their relation with children. In this novel he successfully does so through the young girl named Binya (Binyadevi). He has also thrown light on children’s mental development through the process. The novel The Blue Umbrella elaborates how ten years old Binya faces numerous problems because of her blue umbrella. Though she had many problems in her life, she managed to spread to love by giving her beloved umbrella to the RamBharosa – an old shopkeeper because of whom she faced assorted problems late on. But even being a child, she is well aware with the fact that merely love can bring a smile on someone’s face. This novel of Ruskin Bond also focuses on the behaviour of people in our society which aids to develop a child emotionally. Outstandingly, it plugs the fact that greed, selfishness and materialistic outlook can destroy a society, but love and kindness can structure a better society.
Research Scholar, P.G. Department of English, Magadh University, Bodh Gaya
