In the book "The Village By The Sea" by Anita Desai, one of the most important and meaningful relationships is between Hari and Mr Panwallah. This relationship is very important and holds a takes a huge role in this story as it is not only a Father/Son relationship but Mr Panwallah also shows and interest in Hari and sees his potential. In return Hari looks up to Mr Panwallah with great respect.
The Father/Son relationship that Hari and Mr Panwallah have is not only meaningful, but also very unique. As Hari's father has been absent from his life, Hari has not experienced having a male role model to look up to. The main reason that Hari's father has been absent from his life is alcoholism, Hari's father is usually at the "Toddy Shop" and almost always drunk. Hari's father shows little interest in Hari and has a lack of purpose, because of this Hari has little respect for him and even resents his father, this is shown when said "Hari did not cry but he bit his lip and thought, maybe a poisonous snake will bite him. He may step on one and be bitten, there are so many of them and it's dark. Then he would die. He did not say that in fear, he said it in hope, as if he wished that was what would happen." This shows that he has lost all hope in his father yet now that he has come across Mr Panwallah, he finally has a mentor that can give him love and guidance that will help him through life. Mr Panwallah is shown as someone that Hari can aspire to, and look to for advice.
Mr Panwallah shows a huge interest in Hari, he sees Hari's potential as shown when he said "Good, Hari, good, thats very good. By the time moonsoon comes, I'll have finished giving you your first lessons, by the time moonsoon is over, you'll be mending watches on your own." This shows that Mr Panwallah is leaving behind a legacy by teaching Hari life skills that will lead him to being successful in the future. Mr Panwallah also sees Hari's determination and how hard he works to get money for his family. He understands that Hari does not want to be like his father and respects Hari's aspirations. Hari shows to Mr Panwallah that he is motivated for the right reasons and that his intentions are to help to get a better life for both his sisters and for himself, Mr Panwallah sees that Hari's intention come from his heart and he shows to Hari a sense of being proud of him alike a father we be to his son.
As Mr Panwallah takes Hari in as a son and shows great interest in his future, Hari returns this by looking up to him with great respect. Hari sees that Mr Panwallah trusts him and this motivates him to make Mr Panwallah proud. Hari sees that Mr Panwallah is willing to help him and care for him, Hari feels like he is wanted and he respects Mr Panwallah as he sees him as a great mentor. To Hari, Mr Panwallah is a role model and he is someone that Hari thinks highly of. This respect and how Hari idolizes Mr Panwallah also emphasises the feeling of having a father figure in his life, because of this Hari is made to feel contempt and more determined to create the life he dreams of.
Mr Panwallah shows a great influence on Hari's life and shows him life lessons to help him to achieve his goals. Hari and Mr Panwallah's relationship has because of this played a very important and very meaningful role in this story.
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