Unit 4: The Five-Dollar Smile by Shashi Tharoor

1. Biography of Shashi Tharoor

Shashi Tharoor is a renowned Indian author, politician, and former international diplomat who straddles the worlds of literature and public affairs.

• Early Life and Education: Born on March 9, 1956, in London, UK. He was educated in India (St. Stephen’s College, Delhi) and the United States (The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University), where he obtained his PhD at the age of 22.
• Diplomatic Career: Tharoor served at the United Nations for nearly three decades, culminating in his role as Under-Secretary-General.
• Political Career: He is currently a Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) in India, representing Thiruvananthapuram, and is a senior member of the Indian National Congress party.
• Literary Profile: Tharoor is celebrated for his sharp wit, expansive vocabulary, and satirical take on Indian history and society.
  • Notable Works: The Great Indian Novel (a satirical retelling of the Mahabharata mixed with modern Indian history), Show Business, Riot, and non-fiction works like Inglorious Empire (critiquing British colonial rule).
• The Five-Dollar Smile: This story serves as the title track for a collection of his early short stories, written mostly during his late teens and early twenties. It reflects his early engagement with cross-cultural themes and the diaspora experience.

2. Plot Discussion

"The Five-Dollar Smile" is a poignant narrative that critiques the dynamics of Western charity towards the "Third World."

Introduction

The story introduces Joseph, a young Indian man traveling to the United States. Joseph was raised in an orphanage and became the "poster child" for a humanitarian aid organization. For years, a photo of him as a starving, tearful child was used to solicit donations.

Rising Action

Joseph is invited to the US to meet his long-term sponsors, the Reardons. He is nervous and acutely aware of the disconnect between his current self (a healthy, educated young adult) and the image the Reardons fell in love with (a destitute child).

• Upon arrival, the interactions are awkward. The Reardons treat him with a mix of affection and condescension.
• Joseph realizes that to the Reardons, he is not fully a person; he is a project—a tangible proof of their own benevolence.

The Climax

The story culminates in a social gathering (a party or reception) organized by the Reardons to show Joseph off to their friends and community.

• The famous photograph of Joseph as a starving child is displayed prominently.
• Joseph feels humiliated and objectified. The guests ask insensitive questions and marvel at him as if he were an exotic exhibit.
• He realizes that his "salvation" came at the cost of his dignity. The emotional connection the Reardons claim to have is based on a financial transaction.

Resolution

In the final moments, Joseph is asked to smile for a picture or to the crowd. He forces a smile. This is the titular "Five-Dollar Smile"—a smile that is not born of joy, but is a performance required to repay the debt of charity. It represents the commodification of his emotions.

3. Character Analysis

Joseph

• The Protagonist: An intelligent and sensitive young man who feels displaced.
• Internal Conflict: Joseph struggles with Imposter Syndrome, but in reverse. He feels he cannot live up to the "tragic" image people expect of him. He is trapped by gratitude; he feels he owes the Reardons for his life, yet he resents them for robbing him of his autonomy and dignity.
• The Victim of Benevolence: He represents the recipients of international aid who are stripped of their agency and reduced to statistics or marketing tools.

The Reardons (Mrs. and Mr. Reardon)

• The Archetypal "White Saviors": They represent well-intentioned but culturally insensitive Western charity.
• Motivations: Their charity is self-serving. While they did help Joseph financially, their primary motivation appears to be the social capital and moral superiority they gain from "saving" a poor Indian boy.
• Lack of Insight: They are completely oblivious to Joseph’s humiliation. To them, displaying the photo of his starvation is a triumph; to Joseph, it is a trauma.

The Party Guests

• The Chorus: They function as a collective representation of ignorance. Their questions and stares highlight the superficiality of the engagement between the wealthy West and the developing world.

4. Thematic Analysis

A. The Commodification of Poverty

Tharoor critiques how suffering is packaged and sold. Joseph’s hunger was marketed to elicit money. The story asks uncomfortable questions: Does charity help the receiver, or does it primarily purchase a clear conscience for the giver?

B. Image vs. Reality

• The Static Image: The photograph of the starving child is static; it never changes.
• The Living Reality: Joseph has grown up. He is complex, has feelings, and is no longer that child.
• The Conflict: The Reardons prefer the image (which makes them feel like heroes) over the reality (a man who might be awkward or ungrateful).

C. The "White Savior" Complex

The story dissects the power dynamic where the donor holds all the power and the recipient is expected to remain eternally grateful and submissive. Joseph is expected to perform his gratitude on command.

D. Cross-Cultural Misunderstanding

There is a vast emotional distance between Joseph and his hosts. Despite the years of letter-writing and sponsorship, there is no genuine understanding of Joseph’s culture or his psyche.

5. Imagery and Symbolism

The Photograph

• Symbol of Stagnation: The photo of the starving Joseph is the central symbol. It represents his past entrapment. While he has physically moved on, the Reardons keep him frozen in that moment of destitution because that is the version of him they "own."

The Five-Dollar Smile

• Symbol of Transaction: The smile is described as having a monetary value. It is fake, plastic, and performed. It symbolizes the idea that in this relationship, even emotions are bought and sold. The "five dollars" likely refers to the small monthly donation amount common in such sponsorship programs, suggesting his happiness was purchased cheaply.

The Airplane / Journey

• Symbol of Displacement: The journey represents the physical and metaphorical distance between Joseph's reality and the Reardons' expectations. He is suspended between two worlds, belonging to neither.

6. Writing Style and Techniques

Tone

• Irony: The story is dripping with dramatic irony. The Reardons think they are doing a wonderful thing by hosting Joseph, while the reader understands (through Joseph) that the experience is agonizing.
• Satirical but Somber: Tharoor satirizes the self-congratulatory nature of Western charity, but the tone remains somber regarding Joseph’s internal pain.

Narrative Perspective

• Third-Person Limited: The story is told from the third-person perspective but is closely aligned with Joseph’s consciousness. We see the Reardons through his eyes—their large smiles, their loud voices, and their lack of awareness.

Diction

• Articulate and Precise: Typical of Tharoor, the language is sophisticated. He uses sharp, contrasting descriptions to heighten the difference between the glossy surface of American life and the complex internal reality of the protagonist.

Structure

• Psychological Realism: The narrative focuses less on external action and more on the psychological tension building up to the moment of the "smile." It juxtaposes the past (memories of the orphanage/photo) with the present (the luxury of the US).