Staying On by Paul Scott: A Summary
Staying On is a novel by Paul Scott, published in 1977. The novel is set in a small Indian hill station called Pankot, which is the home of Tusker and Lucy Smalley, a retired British army couple. The novel follows the couple in their twilight years as they struggle to adjust to life in India after the British Raj. It is a story of love, loyalty, and the power of the past to haunt the present.
Plot
Tusker and Lucy Smalley have been married for over 40 years and lived in India during the rule of the British Raj. When the Raj ends, they are forced to move back to England, where they are no longer comfortable. Despite their struggles, they decide to stay in India and move to the small hill station of Pankot. The novel follows their lives as they try to adjust to life in India and navigate the changing social dynamics in the post-Raj era.
The main characters in the novel are Tusker and Lucy, as well as their Indian servant, Gulu. Gulu is a young man who is loyal to the Smalleys and is determined to keep them safe and help them adjust to their new life in India. As Tusker and Lucy struggle to make ends meet, Gulu remains loyal to them and helps them through the difficult times.
The novel also follows the story of the Raj itself as it comes to an end and the new Indian government takes over. It is a story of the power of the past to haunt the present and of how a culture can be changed by political events. The novel also explores the themes of loyalty, love, and the complexity of relationships between people of different cultures.
Main Themes
- The power of the past: The novel explores how the past can affect the present, and how people can be haunted by the events of the past. It is also a story of how culture and society can be changed by political events.
- Loyalty: The novel explores the power of loyalty between people of different cultures, as well as between Tusker and Lucy and their servant, Gulu. It is a story of love and loyalty that transcends culture and class.
- The complexity of relationships: The novel also explores the complexity of relationships between people of different cultures, and between Tusker and Lucy and Gulu. It is a story of love, loyalty, and the power of the past to haunt the present.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Staying On by Paul Scott about?
Staying On by Paul Scott is a novel set in a small Indian hill station called Pankot. It follows the lives of Tusker and Lucy Smalley, a retired British army couple, as they adjust to life in India after the British Raj. It is a story of love, loyalty, and the power of the past to haunt the present.
Q: What are the main themes of Staying On by Paul Scott?
The main themes of Staying On by Paul Scott are the power of the past, loyalty, and the complexity of relationships between people of different cultures.
Q: Who is the main character in Staying On by Paul Scott?
The main characters in Staying On by Paul Scott are Tusker and Lucy Smalley, a retired British army couple, as well as their Indian servant, Gulu. Gulu is a young man who is loyal to the Smalleys and helps them adjust to their new life in India.
Q: What is the setting of Staying On by Paul Scott?
The novel is set in a small Indian hill station called Pankot, which is the home of Tusker and Lucy Smalley. It follows the couple in their twilight years as they struggle to adjust to life in India after the British Raj.