Novella Loafer: An Introspection Into Failure

The novella Loafer is an introspective exploration of how we encounter failure. The word "failure" might carry negative connotations, but it is often the first step toward success. We need to make that initial move in order to learn a lesson from life, and any lesson we learn is developmental. Literature documents aspects of our lives, allowing us to reflect on them and, in a way, relive those moments. Sugam Gautam has penned this novella, and I believe one can take away a significant lesson from its portrayal of failure. It is often said in self-help anecdotes that one should "fail big" to truly grow. As a reader, you can connect with the story and reflect on whether you are experiencing failure in your own life. Learning from failure is, in itself, a form of success. 

It seems clear that the author felt the need to share this particular story, and it carries a strong sense of purpose. I find simplicity in the character of Shyam, whom Gautam has portrayed in Loafer. Shyam is a common character—a student, a lover, a friend, and a sportsperson. 

We all go through periods of struggle, and I think the storyline in Loafer addresses universal issues. Failure, as manifest in the story, is something from which we can learn and grow. The novella serves as a wake-up call, teaching us what to expect from life and how tough it can be. Shyam’s journey is diverse, almost like a roller-coaster ride, and he, as the narrator, brings us close to the truth of his experiences. The use of language and the plot’s depiction feel realistic, without exaggeration. The failure presented in the novella feels natural, and the progression of events is engaging. 

Shyam's various roles in life keep the story dynamic and avoid any sense of monotony. The character's honesty shines through, especially in lines like: 

“No, I am not a pessimist. I am just too honest, and I know my capabilities.” This statement tells us how expressive Shyam is. His honesty radiates through his expressions, and there is no deception hidden within the depths of his failures. The flashback techniques used in the novella add drama and intrigue, making the reading experience more pleasurable. Loafer is a page-turning novella despite its central theme of failure. It carries a sense of youthful energy, which is a quality that keeps readers engaged. The failure in this story is connected to a feeling of emotional nearness, or pathos, allowing readers to feel the pain that the writer is conveying. This failure is not isolated; it feels like something that could happen to any of us.

 The novella also teaches an important lesson about responsibility. We cannot hold others accountable for all of our failures. Life presents us with different circumstances, and we must learn to cope with them. This is the central learning takeaway from Loafer. The novella has a realistic tone, reminding us that life is not always a red carpet—sometimes, we must learn from our failures.

The author ends the story with the hope that the journey will continue. Life keeps presenting us with bad omens, but we persist in searching for the light at the end of the tunnel. This is a realistic approach, very much in tune with how life actually unfolds. Life is not a carefully planned montage but rather a series of unpredictable events. Loafer captures that uncertainty and teaches readers to face the challenges life throws at them, reminding us that learning from failure is a key to future success.

 Youth and failure are closely related. The carelessness of a youth takes them to an unknown and unplanned trajectory, but life is to be figured out. Youth learn through experience, and the motive behind writing a novel on failure can be educational. Readers would find themselves in Catharsis and be sympathetic towards the character. Readers will be able to see the tunnel of mistake that the character could have avoided. Failure teaches us a lesson, and that is the hope that this novella imparts to the readers. It is not to be detested as a novella, but to be treasured as a learner’s playground.

 The first person narrative adds relation to the experience of the character Shyam. Gautam as a writer has perfectly captured the essence and different technical aspects of the novella. The whole novella is filled with conflict, which is a great technique for any kind of story—novella being the larger kind of story. The conflict of the novella has shed light on failure. So, we cannot blame Sugam for writing a story that is negative or not about success but the opposite. Conflict should be there in any kind of story. Our lives do not only have happy days, and literature should document the nuances and difficulties of existence too.

 When a writer imagines a work of fiction, it can also be autobiographical. Imagination plus autobiography can build a work of fiction. I wonder if Gautam really went through this kind of experience, which he has written about in Loafer. It is still curious to me. The weaker the character is in any literary work; the more sympathetic readers can be towards that character. However, it also varies according to readers.

 I find the story line or plot of Loafer really captivating. The failure is almost like the symphony of destruction. It is like an oxymoron, which adds interest to the readers. I was really curious of what kind of failure the character will go through next, when I was turning the pages and visualising the story in my head. Reading this novella titled "Loafer,” I have learnt to avoid failure in different aspects of life.

(Thapa is a lecturer of English in Biratnagar.)