Question

Discuss how the author uses comic irony to describe the incident surrounding the statue?

Answer 1

Comic irony takes place in the story ‘A horse and two goats’ during the interaction between a very poor Indian man, Muni, and a very rich American tourist because they  lack the ability to communicate. While this might cause anger or frustration in a similar situation, Narayan deftly makes the story amusing.

Muni, an old man who was once ‘prosperous’, spends his days with his two goats— he cannot sell them for money nor eat them for they are worthless. They are, however, his constant companions. One day while Muni is lounging at his regular spot next to the large statue of a horse, a car pulls up and an American steps out, trying to communicate with Muni in English. Muni, who speaks only Tamil does not understand what the foreigner wants. In fact, the only English he knows is “Yes, no.” The narrator shows the reader that the American wants to buy the statue, believing that Muni is the owner. Without knowing it, Muni appears to consent to the sale. However, comically, Muni believes that the American wants to buy his goats. He understood that the red man was actually making an offer for the goats… When he was reflecting thus, the red man shook his hand and left on his palm one hundred rupees…’

Muni is more than happy to sell the goats. Conversely, the American is more than happy to buy the statue.The details of the exchange are lost in translation. Muni takes his money. The American take the horse:

Meanwhile, Muni returns home with his money. Humorously, while he is pleased to bring the money to his wife, she does not believe that he came by it honestly. His wife glared at him and declared, “If you have thieved, the police will come tonight and break your bones. Don’t involve me. I will go away to my parents…’’She has good reason to doubt Muni’s story because the goats he thought he sold had followed him home.

Specifically, the comic irony is that Muni thought he was selling his goats. Without knowing it, he has sold the statue of the horse. However, both men get what they wanted. Muni unexpectedly gets to keep his goats.