The Guide

by

R. K. Narayan

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A rather grumpy taxi driver, who is often hired by Raju to act as driver on the tours on which Raju takes the many tourists arriving in Malgudi on the railway. In his role as driver, Gaffur is the first to notice Raju’s designs on Marco’s wife, Rosie. Gaffur is an honest, upright man with principles, as evidenced in his repeated warnings to Raju to leave Rosie alone.
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Gaffur Character Timeline in The Guide

The timeline below shows where the character Gaffur appears in The Guide. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 5
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...him for his guidance in exploring the sites of the town. With the help of Gaffur, a taxi driver in the town, Raju shows them around. In acting as guide, Raju... (full context)
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...Rosie, searches for a cobra. While Marco is busy examining an ancient temple one day, Gaffur drives Raju and Rosie to a remote part of Malgudi. There, they meet a snake... (full context)
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The next morning, Raju and Gaffur duly arrive at the hotel at the allotted time. Marco emerges without Rosie and wants... (full context)
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The party—driven by Gaffur—arrives at Peak House, a lodging at the top of Mempi Hills outside of Malgudi, later... (full context)
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Looking for an excuse to check on Rosie, Raju pretends he hears Gaffur’s taxi and excuses himself from Marco for a brief visit to Peak House. There, he... (full context)
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...again flatters her, telling her she is a queen. Later that day, news arrives that Gaffur’s taxi has broken down, which means that he cannot come to pick them up as... (full context)
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Gaffur, having fixed his taxi, arrives at Peak House, but Marco, still deep in his cave... (full context)
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...Raju avoids his mother’s questions and instead takes the opportunity to show Rosie the sights. Gaffur, who drives them around, explicitly warns Raju that Rosie is a married woman. Rosie, meanwhile,... (full context)
Chapter 7
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...Mempi Hills. One day, at the hotel in Malgudi, she suddenly demands that Raju call Gaffur so that he can drive her to Peak House. Raju talks to Rosie about her... (full context)
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Gaffur, who has driven Raju to Peak House, advises Raju to leave Rosie and Marco alone.... (full context)
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Raju returns to Malgudi with Gaffur. In town, he attempts to return to his previous life at the railway shop, and... (full context)
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Transformation and Redemption Theme Icon
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Raju hires Gaffur to take him and Rosie on an outing to the beach in Malgudi. There, Rosie... (full context)
Chapter 8
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Tradition vs. Modernity Theme Icon
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...himself involved in court affairs—the Sait has brought a criminal case against him. Raju seeks Gaffur’s counsel, but he isn’t happy to hear Gaffur tell him that he must send Rosie... (full context)