The narrative of "Thrown Away" follows the journey of a young British subaltern, referred to simply as The Boy, as he navigates the complexities of life in colonial India. Raised in a protective environment in Great Britain, he is unprepared for the challenges he faces in this new world. His story is a poignant exploration of naivety, cultural shock, and the devastating consequences of unmet expectations.

Arrival in India

The Boy arrives in India with a sense of fascination. The exotic allure of the ponies, vibrant dances, flirtatious women, and the thrill of gambling captivate him. Yet, beneath this veneer of excitement, he remains shielded from life's harsher realities. His sheltered upbringing has left him bereft of a sense of humor, causing him to take life's minor setbacks too seriously. Rudyard Kipling, through a metaphor, compares The Boy to a naive puppy, unaware of life's boundaries until it is too late.

The Descent into Trouble

As time passes, The Boy becomes ensnared in a cycle of gambling, accumulating significant losses. These setbacks weigh heavily on him, clouding his judgment. Over six months, he continues to make poor decisions, as those around him observe, hoping he will eventually learn from his errors and adapt like others who have journeyed from Great Britain before him.

The Breaking Point

With the end of the cold season, The Boy receives a stern reprimand from his colonel. Though it's a routine scolding for officers, The Boy is deeply affected. Compounding his distress is a thoughtless remark from a woman, causing him further embarrassment and introspection. For three days, he isolates himself, brooding over these incidents that trouble his mind.

A Fatal Decision

Seeking solace, The Boy takes a brief leave, ostensibly to hunt big game at the Canal Engineer’s Rest House, which is a mere thirty miles from his base. His peers scoff at this endeavor, knowing that only partridges inhabit the area, far from the big game he claims to pursue. However, one major, who has grown fond of The Boy, senses a deeper, more ominous purpose behind his retreat.

The Grim Discovery

Concerned, the Major visits The Boy's quarters and finds essential belongings missing—a revolver and a writing case, inappropriate for a hunting expedition. Alarmed, he enlists the narrator's help, and together they hasten to the Rest House. They push their pony-drawn cart to its limits, racing against time to reach The Boy.

The Tragic Outcome

Upon arrival, the Major and narrator find an unsettling silence. A hurricane lamp burns unnecessarily in the afternoon light. Inside, they discover The Boy has taken his own life, drafting farewell notes before pulling the trigger. The room buzzes with flies, a stark contrast to the life that once was.

Covering Up the Truth

The narrator and the Major read the self-reproaching letters The Boy left behind. They decide to conceal the true cause of his death, choosing to report it as cholera to spare his family from the stigma of suicide. They burn the letters and other personal effects, gathering his jewelry to send home. They even replace a lock of his hair with one from the Major’s head, knowing it will bring comfort to his mother despite the deception.

Concluding Events

After burying The Boy, the two wait a day before returning to announce his death. They send letters to his family, who respond with gratitude, unaware of the truth behind his demise. The story closes with the poignant reflection that, while his mother feels indebted to the Major and narrator, her understanding of the situation is far from reality.