Mani
Mani is one of the three protagonists in the story ‘The Trio’ written by the well-known Indo-Anglian writer R.K. Narayan. He is a round character who undergoes many emotional fits and furies. Mani is a school boy of complex character and he is at once amiable, possessively attached, boldly expressive, but easily excitable to jealousy, fear, frustration and offense.
Mani is friendly and wants friendship at his core. It is clear from the story that he has been a longtime friend of Swaminathan and he is keen to maintain that. They spend time together and are deeply attached. He is possessive about Swaminathan and is irritated at the thought of possible break of the friendship in favour of Rajam. In spite of all his problems with Rajam, when he offers friendship in clear words, Mani readily accepts it
He is frank in expressions, even to the extent of becoming blunt. When he feels that he is belittled by the glamour and brightness of Rajam, he expresses it in action. When he doubts Swaminathan’s friendship shifting to Rajam, he speaks his mind out straight to him
The whole action of the story before the final twist is driven by the frustration, jealousy, and aggression on part of Mani. When Rajam joins the class, his splendor and brightness attracts every student and Mani becomes jealous. He thinks of drowning Rajam in the river. He offends Rajam in the class, but gets everything equally retaliated. Then he challenges him for a duel at the bank and Rajam accepts it. However, the thought of ghost and later the air gun at the hands of Rajam drives him frightened and he is subdued before the battle. Finally, he accepts Rajam as such and agrees to be his friend.
Thus, Mani is a sophisticated character who presents a blend of constructive and negative qualities
Rajam
Rajam is one of the three protagonists in the story ‘The Trio’ written by the well-known Indo-Anglian writer R.K. Narayan. He is a flat character who maintains constancy of mind throughout the story. Rajam is a boy with an elite family background and has come to the Malgudi from an English school in the city. Rajam is a stylish, smart, confident boy with courage and generosity
Even though Mani starts a plot, Rajam fixes its climax in an unexpected twist. He is intelligent enough to see the real state of things and has the strength of mind to control the course of events. He is the most stable of the three and retains his character without being carried by the provocations of Mani. He responds with courage and defiance to Mani’s aggression and gives him back every blow he gets. He is brave enough to accept the challenge to take on Mani alone on the river banks, but is clever enough to come prepared with an air gun
Rajam keeps his cool and is generous in his victory. He does not surrender before threats, but after his victory, he offers friendship to Mani. He takes the lead to discuss the problem and pacify the situation. Thus, the three become friends
He is stylish and smart. He dresses himself attractively and earns everyone’s attention. He proves himself to be the most charismatic of the students and immediately rises to be the star in the class. Rajam also possesses initiative and leadership. Even though Mani triggers the plot, Rajam takes the lead during the course and events turn out finally as determined by him.
Thus, Rajam rises in the story as a boy with cool, confident, smart and charismatic personality who attracts everyone’s admiration and becomes the centre of attention in the class. He even turns his adversary to his friend
Swaminathan
Swaminathan is one of the three protagonists in the story ‘The Trio’ written by the well-known Indo-Anglian writer R.K. Narayan. He is a flat character who remains unchanged throughout the story. Though capable of thinking by oneself and applying mind, Swaminathan assumes the role of an assistant with typical characteristics of faithfulness and vulnerability
He is a boy who sees things with his own mind, but not able to lead the course of events. At the end of the story, the narrator says that he has always longed for the friendship of Rajam. Mani himself suspected it. Moreover, Swaminathan, although submissively, suggests to Mani that they had better not plot against Rajam. These textual clues are enough to conclude that he is able to think by himself and has his own opinions. However, he is overpowered and subdued by Mani and is not able to be expressive of his views in practical actions
This inability is accounted by his unchanging loyalty to his leading friend, Mani. He is hurt when his faithfulness is questioned and he tries to convince Mani that he has not responded to Rajam’s friendly gestures. In all decisions, he stands fast to Mani, even when it involves actions of high risks. He is willing even to stand by the plan to drown Rajam in the river. It is Swaminathan who serves as the messenger for Mani to Rajam
Swaminathan is harmless by himself. However, out of his vulnerability and loyalty, he can become party even to a deadly plot. This total submission makes him fearless as well. It is Mani himself who thinks about the possible consequences of their plan and withdraws from it. The steadfast and selfless commitment of Swaminathan to Mani is clarified by his happiness at the reconcilement between Mani and Rajam because this moment reveals beyond doubt that Swaminathan had behaved the other way only because of his integrity to Mani
