Home
and the World
About the author
Rabindranath Tagore the man of versatile
genius he is first Indian poet and writer who gained respect for modern India a
permanent place on the literary map of the world. Tagore mostly written in Bengali language and translated into English
often changing and transforming the originals. Tagore is one of the greatest
poet of all time also written many novels
Notable novels
(1) The Wreak
(2) Gora
(3) The Home and the World
The original title ‘Home and the World’ was written in
Bengali language novel as ‘Ghare Bahare’ in 1910. This novel was translated
into English by his nephew Surendranath Tagore in 1999.
However the original novel
the ‘Home and the World’ is a novel written by Rabindranath Tagore in
1916 other Novel illustrates the battle tha Tagore had with himself between the
ideas of western culture and revolution against the western culture as ideas of
Swadeshi movement these two ideas are portrayed by two of the main characters
and Nikhil who is the traditional men and his exactly opposite violent and
untraditional Sandip who will let nothing happen with his political goals which
are opposite to Swadeshi movement. This novel is important in understanding the
history of Bengali religion and it is a contemporary problems.
This novel is a set during the
height of the ‘Swadeshi Movement’ boycott of a British goods that was initiated
in 1905 as protest against the British and the division of Bengal into two
parts. This Novel consists of 23 chapters and it is an autobiographical novel
which covers the main characters and Nikhilesh, Bimla Sandeep, Bararani.
Main characters.
(1) Nikhilesh
He is seen and is described as an
educated and a gentleman in this novel. Nikhil is different as he married not
only a poor woman but also one who was not a particularly attractive. Nikhil is
considered himself to be more aware of his country's role in a broader sense
and refuses to take part in Swadeshi movement.
(2) Bimla
She is wife of Nikhil and she is described
as not very much pretty and from a much more humble background than Nikhil. She
loves her husband and enjoys being completely devoted to him. At the beginning
of the novel she seems to be in the traditional female role and has no thoughts
of entering the real word even with Persuasion from her husband.
(3) Sandip
Sandeep is the third major character
in the novel complete in the love triangle of, he is a guest in a in the
world of Nikhil and Bimla. Nikhil’s Revolutionary ideas speech have a
significant ideas impact on Bimla because he is a skilled orator. Sandip represents
a characteristic that is directly opposite and impacted on the Bimla.
Summary of the novel
As the Novel begins Bimla is happy
with her life she is married a good and kind man Nikhil who is educated and a
generous also accepted as support in all things. Nikhil brings his wife to
participate in a political rally in an attempt to get her to join the outside
world and also get in touch with a better with reality. The political firebrand
Sandip begins his speech in the village she is impressed by his words but also
some of his political Ideas, this even not only changed her opinion of Sandeep
but affects entire outlook on her life both at home and the world.
Bimla say, ‘I was no longer the lady of the house but the soul of Bengal
womenhood.
Towards the end of the novel Sandip
convinces Bimla to steal money from her husband Nikhil, while in the act of
stealing 6000 she comes to a realization of terrible crime that she is committing.
She says, ‘I could not think of my country, I had robbed my house’ this represents
a turning point for Bimla after stealing she realizes that Sandip is corrupting
and robbing the nation and encouraging others to do the same finally she gives
that money and receives seasoning praise from both Sandeep and Amulya for her
newly recognized Sin.
However Bimla recognized that she
has made a mistake by stealing money from Nikhil and also given some jewellery
to replace money Amulya, he attempts to give the box back but Sandeep steals it
and give it back himself. This event realized both Amulya and Bimla to see that
Sandeep is concerned only with himself and they break the web and want to free
from him.
The home and the world was
not only the personal struggle of three main characters but also struggle of family
and traditional Indian household where at the opening of the novel Bimla is a
traditional and obedient housewife, Nikhil enjoys the modern western goods and
clothing and luxurious goods. However Never goes outside of the house her world
is a clash of Western and traditional Indian life, she enjoys the modern
things that Nikhil bring to her but when she Sandeep comes and speaks of
nationalism she sees these things as a threat to her way of life. Bimla is
forced to try to understand how her traditional world can mix with a modern
world.
Themes
(1) Traditionalism and nationalism
One major theme in the novel is the
importance of a religiousness on one hand and traditional nationalism on the
other. Religion can be seen as a more spiritual view while nationalism can be
seen more as the ‘Worldly view’ this theme is expressed the mostly obviously
through Sandeep’s desire to ban foreign goods from the market Nikhil refuses to
use foreign goods for nationalism, despite Bimla’s request Nikhil’s views are
strongly influenced by his religious beliefs. Perspectives of Sandeep are based
upon his believe in nationalism.
(2) Social and Political aspects
Tagore the Home and the World
is a social political novel that has been regarded as an allegory that Nikhil
stands for modern Indian, and Sandeep for modern India. This novel is a product
of the crisis of that time depicted the social and political issues by the relationship
between husband and wife. The leader of extremists Sandeep from Swadeshi
movement, Rabindranath Tagore has idealized the social Political situation of
Bengal through this novel.
(3) Theme of Love and union
One of the major themes of this
novel is love and union between Nikhil and Bimla, Nikhil proved throughout the
story that he has devoted to his wife by marrying a woman and accepting her
darker skin. Bimla also adores her husband however as the story progresses she
builts the feelings for Sandeep and her deep Desires for Nikhil completely
break of the union with Nikhil, she steals money from her household funds that clearly
presents the theme of love and union.
Conclusion
The title of this novel ‘Home and
the world’ tells us about the struggle of Bimla in choosing between
her home and the world which had torned her between being faithful
wife of Nikhil and her outside world Sandeep. Her home is Nikhil and her
outside world Sandeep who is her attraction and newly found love.
Tagore dramatized the ideology of ‘Swadeshi
movement’ and the portrayal of Bengal by description of three main characters.
