2. A Pair of Mustachios - Class 11- Woven Words

BhashaLab
Jun 25
4 min read

Updated: Jun 26

Author: Mulk Raj Anand

Textbook: Woven Words

Genre: Fiction / Short Story

Summary :

In the humorous and satirical short story A Pair of Mustachios, Mulk Raj Anand highlights the deep-rooted class distinctions in Indian society through the symbolic importance of different styles of mustaches. Each mustache type denotes a specific social class—from the majestic tiger mustache of the nobility to the modest goat mustache of the trading class. Conflict arises when Ramanand, a nouveau riche moneylender, styles his mustache to resemble the noble tiger mustache of Khan Azam Khan, a proud yet impoverished aristocrat. Azam Khan is enraged by what he sees as an insult to his heritage. A ridiculous back-and-forth unfolds where Khan tries to make Ramanand flatten his mustache to reflect his lower social status. Eventually, Khan gives up all his possessions to force compliance. Ironically, while the moneylender appears to yield, he immediately cheats the agreement with a hidden upturned tip. The story ends with Khan trying to preserve his pride while being completely stripped of his property. Through satire, the story ridicules the obsession with class, symbols of pride, and superficial appearances.

Character Sketches:

Azam Khan

Azam Khan is a proud, hot-tempered man who belongs to a once-noble lineage. Despite his poverty, he clings fiercely to his status symbol—his tiger mustache. His pride blinds him to practical realities, and he sacrifices everything just to protect his imagined dignity.

Ramanand

Ramanand is a clever and cunning moneylender who symbolizes the rising merchant class. He is practical, business-minded, and flexible. Though he appears polite, he knows how to manipulate others to his advantage, and in the end, he outwits Azam Khan.

Themes:

Theme	Description
Class Distinction	The story satirizes rigid social divisions based on appearance and heritage.
Pride vs. Practicality	Azam Khan’s pride is contrasted with Ramanand’s shrewd practicality.
Symbolism and Identity	Mustaches serve as symbolic representations of personal and class identity.
Changing Social Order	It highlights the shift from aristocratic power to the rise of the bourgeoisie.

✨ Literary Devices

Device	Example/Explanation
Satire	The story mocks social hierarchy through the absurd obsession with mustaches.
Irony	Azam Khan loses everything while thinking he is defending his honor.
Symbolism	Each mustache type represents a different class in Indian society.
Hyperbole	Exaggerated descriptions of moustache-related pride and drama.
Dialogue	Adds humor and builds character personality (e.g., Khan’s angry retorts).

Title Justification :

The title "A Pair of Mustachios" is metaphorical and central to the story’s theme. The entire narrative revolves around two styles of mustaches—Azam Khan’s tiger mustache and Ramanand’s goat mustache—used to highlight the characters’ pride and social standing. The mustachios symbolize class identity and become the cause of conflict, thus justifying the focus in the title.

One-Mark Questions

Why was Azam Khan upset with Ramanand?
He believed Ramanand was imitating his tiger mustache, a symbol of nobility. This threatened Khan’s sense of pride and class distinction.
What does the goat mustache symbolize?
It represents the merchant or shopkeeper class—humble and flexible in appearance and status.
What did Azam Khan pawn first at the moneylender’s shop?
He pawned his wife’s gold nose-ring to get some money.
How does the story end?
Azam Khan loses all his possessions trying to protect his pride, while Ramanand cleverly tricks him with one tip of his mustache still up.
What is the tone of the story?
The tone is satirical and humorous, highlighting the absurdities of rigid social customs.

Three-Mark Questions

Describe the conflict between Azam Khan and Ramanand.
The conflict begins when Ramanand, a moneylender, styles his mustache like a noble tiger mustache. Azam Khan, who sees this as an insult to his aristocratic heritage, demands that Ramanand lower the tips. The tension escalates as Khan sacrifices everything he owns to preserve the honor of his mustache style, revealing the absurdity of class pride.
How does Mulk Raj Anand use mustaches to represent social hierarchy?
The author humorously categorizes various mustache styles to represent different classes—from noblemen to peasants. This visual symbol becomes a way to critique society’s obsession with class and appearances. The story mocks how status symbols like mustaches can control behavior and fuel conflict.
What traits of Ramanand help him outwit Azam Khan?
Ramanand is calm, diplomatic, and manipulative. He agrees with Khan’s demands only when it benefits him. His ability to stay composed and use legal contracts, social witnesses, and deceptive politeness allows him to maintain control while appearing submissive.

Value-Based Question

Q: What lesson does the story teach about pride and appearances?

The story teaches that blind pride in social status and external symbols like clothing or mustaches can lead to personal loss and foolishness. While Azam Khan clings to his past glory, he becomes a victim of his own ego. In contrast, Ramanand thrives because he is adaptable and practical. The message is clear: self-worth should come from values and actions, not from external symbols of power.

End

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