Wednesday, September 13, 2023

The Home and the World By Rabindranath Tagore



The Home and the World




This blog is written in response to the thinking activity assigned by Megha Ma'am, teaching assistant at the department of English, MKBU. In this blog I am going to discuss the novel 'The Home and the World' by Rabindranath Tagore. First let's have an introduction of the novelist.


Rabindranath Tagore:



Rabindranath Tagore was a Bengali- Indian poet, writer, playwright, composer, philosopher, social reformer, and painter. He was the first Asian to win the Nobel Prize in 1913 for his collection of poems, Gitanjali.


       Tagore was born in Kolkata, India on May 7, 1861 and died there on August 7, 1941. He was the youngest son of Debendranath Tagore, a leader of the Brahmo Samaj, which was a new religious sect in nineteenth-century Bengal and which attempted a revival of the ultimate monistic basis of Hinduism as laid down in the Upanishads.


      Tagore introduced new prose and verse forms and the use of colloquial language into Bengali literature. His other notable poetry publications include Sonar Tari (1894) and Manasi (1890). He often published first in Bengali, then translated his own work to English.


      Tagore was also the man who gave India its National Anthem 'Jan Gan Man'. He established the Kala Bhavana school of art in 1919 at Santiniketan in present-day West Bengal.


His several volumes of poetry are

  • Manasi (1890) [The Ideal One],

  • Sonar Tari (1894) [The Golden Boat],

  • Gitanjali (1910) [Song Offerings],

  • Gitimalya (1914) [Wreath of Songs]

  • Balaka (1916) [The Flight of Cranes].


The English renderings of his poetry, which include

  • The Gardener (1913), 

  • Fruit-Gathering (1916), 

  • The Fugitive (1921),

  • Gitanjali: Song Offerings (1912),


Tagore’s major plays are

  • Raja (1910) [The King of the Dark Chamber],

  • Dakghar (1912) [The Post Office],

  • Achalayatan (1912) [The Immovable],

  • Muktadhara (1922) [The Waterfall], and

  • Raktakaravi (1926) [Red Oleanders].


He is the author of several volumes of short stories and a number of novels, among them are

  • Gora (1910),

  • Ghare-Baire (1916) [The Home and the World], and

  • Yogayog (1929) [Crosscurrents].


THE HOME AND THE WORLD

The novel 'The Home and the World' was originally written in Bengali under the title Ghôre Baire or Ghare Baire (ঘরে বাইরে) which means "At home and outside" in 1916 by Rabindranath Tagore. This novel marks the illustrative battle that Tagore had with himself, between the ideas of Western culture and revolution against the Western culture. These two ideologies are represented through the two main characters, Nikhilesh, who is rational and opposes violence, and Sandip, who will let nothing stand in his way from reaching his goals. These two contradictory ideologies remain highly important in understanding the history of the Bengal region and its contemporary problems.


The novel was later on translated into English by Tagore's nephew, Surendranath Tagore in 1919. The Home and the World was among the contenders in a 2014 list by The Telegraph of the 10 all-time greatest Asian novels. 


 The novel is set in the early 20th century in Bengal, India, during a period of significant social and political upheaval. It provides a glimpse into the socio-political climate of the time and the struggles faced by Indians under British colonial rule.


Major Characters: 


As per my reading and understanding of the novel, there are three main characters: 

  • Bimala 

  • Sandip

  • Nikhilesh

Yes, there are other characters who also play pivotal roles in shaping the narrative of the novel. All secondary characters(though in the narrative they contribute a lot) remain the helping characters or I have to say helping characters. Without them, the plot of the novel can't be framed. But these three characters are three pillars of the novel. The Idea that Rabindranath Tagore presents is justified by the strong feelings, personal opinions and personal or collective goals of these characters. Now let's dive into the deep study of all three characters.


Bimala:

Bimala is the main character and the narrator in the novel. She remains the center of action and attraction in the novel. She is the wife of Nikhilesh. 


Her feelings make a rapid change with the occurrence of the Swadeshi movement, due to Sandip's radical influence. Sandip is the one who influences her the most. We can also say that Sandip is the one responsible for the social norms and etiquettes which should be understood by an individual no matter which gender one has. Nikhil from the very beginning emphatically tells Bimala to go out and learn new things rather than household duties. He is the one who gives her freedom to live the way she wants. But her attraction towards Sandip as a great leader and spokesperson agitates her inner flame. But at the same time, she is completely unaware of the happenings around her. But Nikhilesh lets her do whatever she wants. Self realization plays a vital role in shaping the character of Bimala. Throughout the Novel, we come to her mental illusions as well as her dilemmas, which compels us, as readers to the story as we also feels the same dilemma as Bimala of the Swadeshi movement's two fold ways: One is like Nikhilesh and another is of Sandip.

            At the beginning of the novel, she seems to be confined to the traditional female role, and has no thoughts of entering the real world, even with persuasion from her husband. Bimala is a rare portrayal of womanhood by Rabindranath Tagore because unlike the other female characters in Indian literature, there are two sides of Bimala. She is obligated to serve her husband and take care of the household. She is also willing to overstep these boundaries to speak out for her people. This fact is what makes her a positive representation of women in The Home and the World. Bimala in Tagore’s The Home and the World is perhaps the liveliest character of the story. She is the centre of action as well as the attraction of the novel. She emblematizes love amid the fire and fury of politics, and her psychological intricacy contributes much in making Tagore's novel an interesting study. 

Pradip Kumar Dutta in his book 'The Home and the World, A Critical Companion' writes that

“Bimala in Tagore’s The Home and the World emblematizes Bengali womanhood in Tagore’s contemporary society. And at the same time, the subsequent changes in her way of living and thinking make her psychologically, an engaging personality.” 




Nikhilesh:

Nikhilesh is a merchant who owns an estate and two marketplaces in Bengal. He is described as educated, gentle, and progressive. Nikhilesh is from a wealthy, aristocratic family of landlords. His family prides themselves on beautiful women, but Nikhilesh married Bimala, a poor woman who was not particularly attractive. He is the head of the household and an emancipated husband. He usually bears financial supervision and decisions because Bimala cannot take economical decisions. He is an enlightened humanist who asserts that truth cannot be imposed. He believes that freedom is necessary for choice, and is critical to individual growth and fulfillment, which he also provides to her wife who constantly confines herself within their home and believes her husband as her lord. But Nikhilesh is not like that. He time and again tells Bimala to come out of the home and explore the world. 


When we look at the character of Nikhilesh and his ideologies, we find that he is obviously with the Swadeshi movement. But he is not blindly adhered to the ideology. He time and again looks at the pros and cons of each and every action. When Bimala tries to burn her 'Foreign clothes', he tells her that if she doesn't want the clothes, she can put it aside rather than burning it. He also admits that if an Indian person can't afford Swadeshi things as these Swadeshi things are too costly, they will buy foreign goods(as these are cheap that can be afforded by the poor as well) and there should not be any restrictions over that. 


He is the one who looks at the pros and cons of each and everything behind any particular thing.


Sandip:
Sandip is a character in The Home and the World by Rabindranath Tagore. He is a guest in the home of Nikhil and Bimala. Sandip is a revolutionary who is very vocal about his anti-imperialistic views. He is a skilled orator who has a significant impact on Bimala. Sandip is a strong and aggressive character who is very much a militant nationalist in his approach.

Sandip is the third major character in the novel, completing the love triangle. He is Bimala's would-be lover. Sandip's mesmerizing      speeches and ideas have a significant impact on Bimala. She is smitten by Sandip's fiery speeches and his vision of her as the "Queen Bee". Sandip convinces Bimala to steal from her house and her husband for the "cause".

Sandip's presence in the novel concludes with him fleeing while his speeches and ideas result in communal riots.


Major Themes:

"The Home and the World" is a multifaceted novel by Rabindranath Tagore that intricately explores a range of themes and societal dynamics:

Love: At its core, the novel examines the intricacies of love, as seen through the relationships of its central characters. Actually there is a love triangle between Nikhilesh, Bimala and Sandip. 

Nationalism vs. Cosmopolitanism: Set against the backdrop of the Indian independence movement and the Swadeshi movement, the story portrays the fervor and sacrifices of individuals committed to their nation's cause. The story grapples with the tension between the fervent nationalism of the Swadeshi movement and the more cosmopolitan ideals held by some characters. Here is the video by which you can have a better understanding of the novel:

Traditionalism vs. Modernity: It portrays the clash between traditional Indian values and the forces of modernization sweeping through society. The tension between preserving tradition and embracing modernity is a recurring motif.

Manipulation and Charisma: The character of Sandip Babu embodies charisma and manipulation, which play a pivotal role in the narrative.

Gender Roles and Empowerment: The novel critically examines the evolving roles of women in a society marked by traditional norms and emerging feminist ideals. Through the character of Bimala, the novel explores the evolving role and empowerment of women during a transformative period in Indian history.

East vs. West: It explores the cultural clash between Eastern and Western ideologies, particularly in the context of India's struggle for independence.

Idealism vs. Realism: The characters grapple with the conflict between idealistic visions and the practical realities of their time.

Loyalty and Betrayal: Themes of loyalty to one's country and personal relationships, as well as instances of betrayal, are central to the plot.

Friendship: The novel also highlights the significance of friendship as characters navigate the complexities of their lives.

The central conflict revolves around Nikhil, who must make a profound choice between his loyalty to his nation and his love for his wife, Bimala. The novel unfolds amidst the backdrop of the Swadeshi movement, a significant protest against British colonial rule in India, with Sandip Babu at its forefront. This backdrop serves as a catalyst for the novel's action, shaping the lives and decisions of its characters in profound ways.

The Movie Adaptation:  Ghare Baire

The Bengali movie "Ghare Baire," based on Rabindranath Tagore's novel "The Home and the World" is skillfully directed by Satyajit Ray, remained faithful to the original work, making it an excellent opportunity for comparison and analysis.

You can watch the movie from here:


I have written a separate blog on the comparative study of the movie and the novel. Click here to visit my blog.

{Words: 1920
Images: 7
Videos: 2}

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