34 pages 1 hour read

Mulk Raj Anand

Untouchable

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1935

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Untouchable by Mulk Raj Anand charts a day in the life of Bakha, a young man enslaved by India's caste system. Bakha, an Untouchable, cleans latrines and faces mistreatment from upper caste Hindus. After he and his sister endure numerous indignities, Bakha attends Gandhi's speech advocating for the end of the caste system. Bakha's hopes rest on societal reforms and the arrival of innovations like flushing toilets. The book includes instances of sexual assault.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Mulk Raj Anand's Untouchable receives acclaim for its powerful portrayal of caste discrimination in India. Critics laud Anand's empathetic character development and vivid narrative style, though some find the novel's didactic tone and graphic depictions challenging. Overall, the work is praised for its historical significance and emotional impact.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Untouchable?

Readers who would enjoy Untouchable by Mulk Raj Anand are often those interested in social justice, Indian history, and caste discrimination. Fans of works like To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee or The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy will appreciate the poignant exploration of marginalized communities and the fight for dignity.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Asian Literature

Indian Literature

Education

Topics

Education

History: World

Period

Asian Literature