Mulk Raj Anand’s “A Pair of Mustachios” is a satirical short story in the CBSE Class 11 English syllabus. It uses humor to explore how trivial symbols—like the style of a man’s mustache—can become battlegrounds for pride, status, and social identity.
A Pair of Mustachios Summary
In a small Indian village, Seth Ramanand, a wealthy grocer and moneylender, styles his goat-type mustache with upturned tips that resemble the tiger-style favored by Khan Azam Khan, a proud descendant of Afghan nobility. Outraged, the Khan demands that Ramanand lower his tips. Ramanand first complies partially, then cleverly maintains one tip up, provoking the Khan into pawning his wife’s jewelry and family heirlooms to force Ramanand’s full submission. In the end, Khan Azam Khan sacrifices all his possessions yet still clings to his ancestral pride, while Ramanand’s cunning leaves him triumphant.
Chapter Overview
Part 1: Describes various mustache styles—lion, tiger, goat, Charlie Chaplin—and their social connotations.
Part 2: Focuses on the clash between Ramanand and Khan Azam Khan over the goat mustache mimicking a higher-class style.
Climax: Khan pawns heirlooms to enforce his demand, illustrating the absurdity of class pride.
Resolution: Ramanand outwits the Khan, highlighting the futility of rigid traditions.
Character Sketches
Seth Ramanand
A shrewd, practical grocer and moneylender.
• Wears a goat mustache but tweaks it to provoke the Khan.
• Represents emerging commercial classes who value pragmatism over pride.
Khan Azam Khan
• Middle-aged, dignified nobleman with a tiger mustache.
• Obsessed with preserving ancestral honor.
• His rigid pride leads him to ruin.
Key Themes
- Pride and Vanity Explores how meaningless symbols can drive people to irrational extremes.
- Social Class and Identity Mustache styles stand in for rigid hierarchies and outdated traditions.
- Satire of Superficial Values Uses humor to critique the absurdity of judging worth by appearance.
Literary Devices to Note
- Satire Pokes fun at societal conventions through exaggerated conflict.
- Symbolism Mustache styles symbolize class distinctions and personal pride.
- Irony A powerful Khan sacrifices everything over a minor tweak to a grocer’s facial hair.
- Dialogue Witty exchanges reveal characters’ true motives and heighten the humor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central conflict of the story?
A dispute over Ramanand’s goat mustache mimicking the Khan’s tiger mustache.
How do mustaches symbolize social hierarchy?
Different styles denote noble lineage, shop-keeping class, or lower-order workers.
What lesson does the story teach?
Placing too much value on superficial symbols can lead to self-destruction.
How can students use this story in exams?
- Quote the mustache descriptions to illustrate symbolism.
- Discuss the satire to answer character-analysis questions.
- Link the theme of pride to real-life examples.
