CHARACTER ANALYSIS

Introduction of Karna in the novel by a portraitIn chapter 8:-Portrait, Draupadi’s eyes fell on Karna who

was sitting at the right of Duryodhana in the painting. Then, Draupadi makes the following observation through the painting.

Austere faced

Lean body

Wariness

Utterly Alone

Eyes with ancient sadness

Karna as an outcastAn outcast is a person who is excluded and banished

from the society.

Parental Rejection

Deprived of education by Drona

Cursed by Parashuram though being the most obedient and caring student.

Neglecting and de-crediting his merit of talent as he was brought up by a charioteer.

Humiliated and insulted in a large gathering where his desires are always ridiculed and declined.

Karna as a versatile person Even after knowing the truth Karna forgives his mother Kunti though

all his life he has to bear the shame of illegitimacy. Karna never parted with his friend Duryodhana even after knowing

that only death awaits him as he decides to stay with the Kauravaprince.

Karna after knowing the truth from kunti, he defeats all the 4 Pandavasbut spare their lives and moves on to fight against Arjuna.

“A good warrior is one who conquers himself”. Karna is good example of the above quotation as he knew that he had nothing to stand against Arjuna but still he stood abiding to warrior’s code and faced him irrespective of the curses & despiriting tantrums showered by the uncle of pandavas and who later kissed his death with a smile on his face.

So Karna is a very good son, friend, brother, and a true warrior.

Draupadi’s secret love for Karna

Draupadi was extremely surprised when she saw Krishna being angry for the 1st time, at the sight of Karna’s portrait.

Parental rejection(chap 10:Births) and utter loneliness made Draupadi to be attracted by Karna and to crave for him.

Then, further the story of Karna as told by Dhaimaa and Dhri hooked every flesh of Draupadi binding much more nearer to Karna(chap 11:Scorpion).

Then even laying half dead on the icy-rocks Draupadicherished Karna and dreamed to hug Karna in front of all.

“Karna would never have abandoned me thus. He would have stayed back and held my hand until we both perished. He would have happily given up heaven for my sake”-Draupadichap42:Snow

“I confess,in spite of the vows I made each day to forget Karna, to be a better wife

to the Pandavas, I longed to see him again”.- Draupadi in chap17:-Grandfather.

Karna’s yearning for Draupadi

Karna trying to avoid the every chance of meeting Draupadi.(chap 22:Discuss)

Karna’s words to Bhanumati about Draupadi(chap 24:Game).

Karna’s mental trance when Draupadi was about to be disrobed.

Karna’s penance when Draupadi went into exile.(chap 34:secrets)

Karna revealing his feelings about Draupadi to Bheeshma.(chap 34:secrets)

Karna’s adversaries Being born to the most noble lineage Karna was just

considered as a son of the charioteer.

Karna’s curse which made him to forget the mantras to chant while calling the divine weapons and he being cursed by a Bhramin to die as a defenceless person though karnabalanced the Bhramin’s loss of cow.

Karna’s anger which makes him to be alienated from his principles and get along with the spirit of the mob. So, Karna said to disrobe Draupadi(chap 24:Game) and so without Abhimanyu’s notice, he cut the strings of the bow and thus voluntarily tookpart in the foul death of Abhimanyu(chap 35:Avalanche).

Karna as a true gentleman When Yudhisthira’s court was filled with havoc with the death of Sisupal, Karna

stood high to control the ravaging crowd. Karna is completely free from the materialistic world(chap:22,34.) He is a very chivalrous person (incident of Bhanumati in chap24:Game). He continued his penance of giving even after he lost half of his wealth. Karna was the man of honour and so he sacrificed his birthmark amulets to

Indra, so the word karna as become synonym to Dhanveer ot the mighty giver. He obeyed the command of Duryodhan to kill Ghatotkach by Shakti asthra

knowing that it made him completely defenceless against Arjuna. Karna brought an order of righteousness when he became the commander in

chief. The common soldiers were relieved with the sudden massive destruction of the divine weapons. In the night time Karna would walk among them. He would offer solace to the wounded soldiers.

Moreover , Karna if desired could be the supreme unchallanged king of both the Pandavas and Kauravas but he choose to stand beside his friend and die at the hand of his brother.

Conclusion “I realized now that the main reason I’d accepted the

sight from Vyasa was for the opportunity to watch Karna the way I never could in real life, to decipher the enigma that he was. Now I understood him—his nobility, his loyalty, his pride, his anger, his uncomplaining acceptance of the injustice of his life, his forgiveness.”-Draupadi in chapter No.-36:-Wheel.

THANK YOU

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