Reading the satire

The story is a satire: it uses humour to mock foolish pride and greed. It opens like a general essay about moustaches, and only then gives a village example. So the theme is clear before the plot begins.

Dialogue shows us the characters: the Khan's hot-tempered insults, and the moneylender's smooth, polite answers, which hide his cunning.

Mulk Raj Anand gives his English an Indian flavour, using expressions translated from Indian languages: 'seed of a donkey', 'Achcha', 'lentil-eaters', 'sarkars'.

English has also borrowed many words from French: nouveau riche (newly rich), bourgeoisie (the middle class), rendezvous (a meeting place), menu, déjà vu (the feeling of having seen something before).

Some fixed phrases: keep one's word (do what one promised); carry out one's will (do what one wants); make ends meet (manage on little money); take a loan; turn a deaf ear to (refuse to listen to).