Write a character sketch of the astrologer in Narayan's story "An Astrologer's Day."

The astrologer's predominant characteristic at this stage
of his life is being able to ironically laugh at himself. This is revealed in the way
the narrator describes him. To make the greatest impression on the crowd of people among
whom might be customers, the astrologer carefully selected his attire and the right way
of presenting himself, complete with saffron turban, sacred ash, and "dark whiskers that
streamed down his cheeks," The power in his expression, which  people took for an
astrologer's “eye," was in fact the outcome of "a continual searching look for
customers.” As a result of his deliberate appearance and demeanor, customers "were
attracted to him like bees are attracted to ... dahlia stocks."

The
narrator further reveals that the astrologer never planned or desired to be an
astrologer. He knew as little about the stars of astrological predictions as his
customers:

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He had not the least intended to be an astrologer
when he began life ; ... He was as much a stranger to the stars as were his innocent
customers.

From these details
the narrator provides, we can deduce that the astrologer has a bit of a hearty, though
ironic, laugh at himself from time to time. Yet he works honestly and with compassion
for his customers since he never says anything until the customer has spoken for at
least ten minutes. This accounts for the narrator's explanation that the astrologer
“deserved the wages he carried at the end of the day."

Earlier in his
life, the astrologer--before he was an astrologer--was reckless and foolish and given to
drinking--without restraint of common sense--and wasting his earnings on gambling. This
led him to embroil himself in the drunken brawl in which he stabbed a man, then left him
for dead down a well. The last lines of the story reveal that he is a moral man who has
been trying to absolve his crime all through the years. This is evident when he briefly
tells his wife the story, then ends with,

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"Why think of it now? ... Time to
sleep."

He has given the
victim--the customer--a report of a suitable punishment and horrible end to the man who
stabbed the customer. Now he can rest quietly in a good night's sleep with a giving
life's work behind him, for it is revealed by the narrator that he does say things that
help and comfort his customers:

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He understood what was wrong ... . and this
endeared him to their hearts immediately
....