This PPT is based on Presentation of Semester 3 Submitted to DoE, MKBU. Paper no. 201 Indian English Literature Pre-Independence topic is "Exploring Human Psychology through R. K. Narayan's Short Story 'An Astrologer's Day'".

1. Exploring Human
Psychology through
R. K. Narayan's
Short Story:
'An Astrologer's Day'

2. Academic Information
● Name: Rajeshvariba H. Rana
● Roll No. : 16
● Enrollment No. : 4069206420220023
● Semester: 3rd
● Paper No.: 201
● Paper Code: 22406
● Paper Name: Indian English Literature–Pre-Independence
● Topic: Exploring Human Psychology through R. K. Narayan's Short Story:
'An Astrologer's Day
● Submitted to: Smt. S.B.Gardi, Department of English, MKBU
● E-mail: rhrana148@gmail.com
● Date: 16th October 2023

3. Table of contents
01 03
02
04
About R.K. Narayan An Astrologer’s Day:
Themes
Psychological
Themes
Examples
05
Conclusion
06
References

4. ● Name: Rasipuram Krishnaswami Narayanaswami
(R. K. Narayan)
● Birth Date: October 10, 1906
● Birthplace: Madras, British India (now Chennai, India)
● Death Date: May 13, 2001
● Nationality: Indian
● Notable Works: Mention some of his most famous
works, such as "Swami and Friends," "The Guide,"
"Malgudi Days," "The Vendor of Sweets," etc.
● Writing Style: Highlight his unique and captivating
narrative style, often set in the fictional town of
Malgudi.
● Contribution: Discuss his significant contribution to Indian literature in English
and how he is regarded as one of the leading authors of the 20th century.
● Awards: Mention any awards or honors he received, such as the Sahitya Akademi
Award and the Padma Bhushan.

5. The theme of the story focuses on a single day in the life of an
ordinary astrologer who suddenly faces past life in the present drastic
situation. The story has a twist in the tale. The otherwise adventure
less life of the astrologer suddenly poses a grave problem from his
past life and demands alertness to tackle the situation.
The story describes of a single day in the lives of the sleepy town of Malgudi.
The story also deals with the darker side of human nature with its
hypocrisies, shrewdness, revengeful nature and selfishness. The
characters in the story are no exception to these qualities of human
nature. Finally all is well that ends well with the astrologer coming out
with flying colors in his examination of befooling his opponent, saving
his life and also saw to it that he does not face the man again in future.

6. An unidentified Indian astrologer talks with a couple
at a pavement booth near a Hindu temple in New
Delhi in 2003. (“Prakash Singh”)
Deception:
The act of causing someone to accept as
true or valid what is false or invalid : the
act of deceiving. (“Deception Definition
& Meaning”)
Deception is a major theme in An
Astrologer's Day. The astrologer
deceives his clients by pretending to
have supernatural powers, while the
stranger who confronts him reveals a
hidden identity. This theme highlights
the complexity of human behavior and
the power of perception.

7. Human Nature :
An Astrologer's Day also explores the
complexities of human nature. The
characters in the story are driven by their
desires, fears, and motivations, which are
shaped by cultural and social factors. This
theme highlights the diversity and
richness of human experience.
Self-actualization :
Self-actualization is a key concept in
humanistic psychology and is explored
in An Astrologer's Day.
The astrologer's journey towards self discovery and personal growth is a central
theme of the story. This theme highlights the importance of fulfilling one's potential
and finding meaning in life.

8. This effect can provide a partial explanation
for the widespread acceptance of some
paranormal beliefs and practices, such as
astrology, fortune telling, aura reading, and
some types of personality tests.
Psychics, horoscopes, magicians, palm
readers, and crystal ball gazers make use of
the Barnum Effect when they convince
people that their description of them is
highly special and unique and could never
apply to anyone else. (Vohs)
Barnum Effect :

9. Non-believers sometime find uncannily accurate hits in
their predictions. This irony could be explained with the
Forer effect (also called or the 'Barnum effect'), a
psychological bias originating from an individual's
affinity to descriptions touching his/her personality. This
bias (called the personal validation fallacy) prompts a
person to take descriptions which are vague and general
enough to apply to a wide range of people, to be tailored
specifically for them. (Komath)
In short, Forer convinced people that it is possible to
read the character successfully, without any additional
divine powers. This personal validation fallacy works
behind the widespread acceptance of astrology and
other practices like palmistry and fortune-
telling.(Komath)

10. Confirmation Bias:
People tend to seek out and remember information that confirms
their existing beliefs. If a horoscope prediction seems to align with
their experiences, they are more likely to remember it and consider
it accurate while ignoring contradictory information.
Psychological Comfort:
Astrology offers people a form of psychological comfort and
reassurance. It can serve as a coping mechanism for individuals
seeking guidance or a sense of purpose in their lives.
Wishful Thinking:
People may believe in astrology because they want it to be true.
They hope that the positions of celestial bodies can provide insight
into their future or validate their personal characteristics.

11. Desire for Control
Astrology can provide a sense of control and predictability in an uncertain world.
Believers may turn to horoscopes and astrological advice to make decisions or find
comfort during challenging times.
Desired control is the degree of influence that an individual desires over any subject,
circumstance, or relationship.
This can apply to romantic, non-romantic, professional, and sales contexts. (Mullins)

12. According to a National Science Foundation Poll, more than half of 18- to 24-year-olds
believe/are willing to accept astrology as a science. That means the expert advice to avoid
big decisions might resonate with today’s young consumers during retrograde. (“Public
assessment of astrology, by respondent characteristic: 1979–2018”)
Superstition and belief in the modern world :

13. Television Programme and Application:

14. (“Gujarat: Superstitious businessman tortures 14-year-
old daughter to death | Rajkot News - Times of India”)
"The Believers" (1987)
This film explores the dangers of blind
faith, cult practices, and superstitions
within a thriller and horror narrative.

15. PK (2014):
PK," features an alien who arrives on Earth and questions various societal beliefs,
including religion and superstitions, making a commentary on blind faith.

16. List of some astrological beliefs from various countries around the world:
● Chinese Astrology (Zodiac Signs)
● Vedic Astrology (India)
● Mayan Astrology (Central America)
● Western Astrology (United States and Europe)
● Tibetan Astrology (Himalayan Region)
● Arabian Astrology (Middle East)
● Babylonian Astrology (Ancient Mesopotamia)
● Greek Hellenistic Astrology (Ancient Greece)
● Incan Astrology (South America)
● Yoruba Astrology (Nigeria)
● Native American Astrology (Various Tribes)
● Japanese Astrology (Kanshi, Onmyodo)
(The list has been provided by ChatGPT.)

17. Conclusion :
Because the predictions of astrologers are
generally vague, a Popperian would assert that
the real problem with astrology is that it is not
falsifiable: astrologers can not make predictions
which if unfulfilled would lead them to give up
their theory. Hence because it is unfalsifiable,
astrology is unscientific. (Thagard)

18. References
Mullins, R. R., Bachrach, D. G., Rapp, A. A., Grewal, D., & Beitelspacher, L. S. (2015). You don’t always get what you want,
and you don’t always want what you get: An examination of control–desire for control congruence in transactional
relationships. Jou.
Komath, Manoj. “Testing Astrology.” Current Science, vol. 96, no. 12, 2009, pp. 1568–72. JSTOR,
http://www.jstor.org/stable/24104881. Accessed 16 Oct. 2023.
Thagard, Paul R. “Why Astrology Is a Pseudoscience.” PSA: Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of
Science Association, vol. 1978, 1978, pp. 223–34. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/192639. Accessed 16 Oct. 2023.
“Deception Definition & Meaning.” Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deception. Accessed 16
October 2023.
“Gujarat: Superstitious businessman tortures 14-year-old daughter to death | Rajkot News - Times of India.” The Times of
India, 14 October 2022, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/gujarat-superstitious-bizman-tortures-14-year-
old-daughter-to-death/articleshow/94847321.cms. Accessed 16 October 2023.

19. References
“Prakash Singh.” Getty Images, 2003, https://www.gettyimages.in/photos/prakash-singh.
“Public assessment of astrology, by respondent characteristic: 1979–2018.” National Center for Science and
Engineering Statistics logo. National Center for Science and Engineering, 9 March 2019,
https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsb20207/data/table/S7-32. Accessed 16 October 2023.
Vohs, Kathleen D. “Barnum Effect | Psychology of Self-Deception & Misattribution.” Britannica, 19 September 2023,
https://www.britannica.com/science/Barnum-Effect. Accessed 16 October 2023.
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20. Thankyou