Final answer:
Thanappa's decision not to immediately deliver a letter and telegram to Ramanujam can be debated from ethical and moral perspectives. His intentions might be kind, but such actions are against his duties as a postal worker, and the repercussions could be significant for the recipient's family.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question concerns the actions of Thanappa, a character from the Indian author R.K. Narayan's work, specifically in the context of whether Thanappa's choice not to immediately deliver a letter and telegram to Ramanujam was correct. The ethical and moral implications of Thanappa's decision can be debated. On one hand, his intention to protect Ramanujam's family from bad news may come from a place of kindness; however, delaying the delivery of post is a dereliction of his duties as a postal worker. The consequences of his decision can be significant, potentially altering the course of events for Ramanujam's family.
Through this dilemma, the story explores themes such as the personal versus the professional, individual judgment versus duty, and the impact of individual choices. It prompts the student to consider the complex nature of human actions and whether the ends justify the means. While there may be circumstances where withholding information could be seen as protecting someone, it is generally important for a postal worker to uphold their responsibility to deliver mail promptly.