Character Profile

Prepared by: learnloophq@gmail.com

Last edited 11 days ago by Learn LoopHQ.

Chapter: 13. The Malgudi Cricket Club

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Character Profiles

Swaminathan

Traits:

Newcomer & Curious: Recently moved schools, initially uncertain but quickly becomes the “centre of attraction” at Board School, attracting curiosity from his new classmates.

Imaginative & Creative: Tries to build a camera from a cardboard box; actively participates in brainstorming creative names for the cricket team like “Jumping Stars.”

Initially Modest/Skeptical: Doubts his own ability to play cricket (“I don’t know how to play”).

Thoughtful & Practical: Raises concerns about the MCC name (it being Hobbs’ team), government taxes for the team, and potential complications, showing a surprising degree of foresight.

Easily Influenced & Enthusiastic: Despite initial skepticism, he quickly gets caught up in Rajam’s excitement and “devoured with his eyes the glossy pictures.”

Loyal Friend: Believes his old “Albert Mission set” of friends is still “intact” and greatly values Rajam and Mani.

Relationships:

With Rajam: Rajam is his closest friend, despite a recent strained period. Swaminathan looks up to Rajam as a leader and captain, though he also offers his own ideas. Their bond is central to the story.

With Mani: An old friend from Albert Mission. Swaminathan values Mani’s input for names (“if Mani were here, he would have suggested a few more names”). Mani also physically asserts himself over Swaminathan when they disagree, suggesting a dynamic where Mani is the more dominant of the two.

With New Classmates: They are curious about him, but he hasn’t yet formed close bonds with them, still clinging to his old friendships.

Rajam

Traits:

Leader & Initiator: The driving force behind the idea of starting the cricket club; he takes charge, making decisions about names and the order letter.

Charismatic & Persuasive: Manages to reconcile with Swaminathan and quickly inspires him with his grand vision for the team.

Ambitious & Visionary: Dreams big – of thrashing the Board School Eleven and seeing their team’s triumphs in newspaper reports.

Confident & Authoritative: Assumes the role of captain, asserts his decisions (e.g., keeping MCC in the name, his unconventional letter writing), and dismisses objections firmly.

Naive & Optimistic: Initially underestimates the “complications” of starting a team (like taxes and unique names) but remains undeterred by obstacles. Displays a childlike logic (e.g., his explanation for “Dear Sir”).

Forgiving: Readily offers to forgive Swaminathan’s “past sins.”

Relationships:

With Swaminathan: His closest friend and co-founder of the club. Rajam acts as the primary leader, valuing Swaminathan’s creativity and brainstorming abilities.

With Mani: Collaborates with Mani on selecting equipment, but ultimately asserts his authority as captain when Mani raises objections about the order letter. They share a mutual enthusiasm for the club.

With Board School Eleven: Sees them as rivals to be decisively “thrashed,” fueling his ambition for the club.

Mani

Traits:

Practical & Sensible: Objects to buying three bats (“Why waste money?”) and questions the formal elements of the order letter (“How can you call Binns ‘Dear Sir’?”).

Dominant & Assertive: Uses physical force (grabbing Swaminathan’s neck) to make his point clear, demonstrating his strong personality.

Opinionated & Direct: Expresses his disagreements openly and bluntly.

Knowledgeable (about sports): Reads from the catalogue and seems to understand the nuances of sports equipment.

Reluctant Participant (in formal tasks): Declines to write the order letter, preferring to leave such tasks to Rajam.

Relationships:

With Swaminathan: An old friend, with a dynamic where Mani often acts as the physically dominant or corrective figure towards Swaminathan.

With Rajam: A key member of the trio and a collaborator in setting up the club. While he defers to Rajam’s captaincy, he doesn’t shy away from voicing his practical objections and opinions, creating a balanced dynamic within the group.

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