The novel "Gora" written by Ravindranath tagore is a reflection and analysis of the multifarious social life in colonial India. It is also about alteration in one’s own beliefs with changing times, society or community and its manifold influences on people, coexistence of religious tolerance and disharmony, changing status of women and an overall transformation seen and sensed within an individual and the society in general. It brings forth the shallowness of man’s beliefs in the purity of his body and his ignorance of soul’s true agenda in this life. It is rich in philosophical debate on politics and religion with a deep understanding of human emotions. It exhibits the path of self discovery that the characters undertake to understand their true purpose and inclination in life, with great drama being played in the name of religion, freedom and reforms.
The story is set in Bengal during the times when the bengali community was divided into two classes :1)Orthodox hindus and 2)Brahmos . The Hindus followed and took pride in their renascent practices and ceremonials while the Brahmos were in constant clashes with orthodoxy and vehemently opposed all idol-worships, caste system etc. The novel begins with a young man Binoy(Binoybhushan) falling in love with a beautiful young girl, Sucharita daughter of Poresh babu. Binoy then finds out that Poresh babu and Sucharitha were his neighbours. He then makes Satish, brother of Sucharitha his friend and in that context gains entry into the house of Poresh babu. Even before their affair could begin, Binoy is assailed with the doubts of their union, apprehensive of opposition by vehement Brahmanical traditions and overflowing zealous reproach of Christian influenced Brahmo Samaj.
Binoy was then questioned by Gora(Gourmohan das),best friend of Binoy of his special interest in the Brahmo family. Gora tells Binoy to terminate his relationship with the Brahmo famly . He does not approve Binoy's decision to visit this Brahmo neighbour of his. Gora scolds Binoy's "temptation", as he proclaims that it is best to worship woman where they are installed as Mother . He is a natural leader with exemplary oratory skills, fair and tall stature and a resonating voice. However the forthrightness and attitude of Gora make him seem an arrogant, aggressive and violent person who thrusts his opinions onto others. But Gora at heart is an eternal optimist dreaming about his ideal Bharatvarsha ,a prosperous and happy India. As a person he is highly patriotic and sympathetic - cannot stand injustice and high-society atrocities over poor. The writer tells a lot about Gora through his arguments with other people.
But as the novel continues Gora himself develops feelings for sucharitha and Binoy falls in love with Lolitha. Thus the novel progresses with Gora ,Binoy ,Sucharitha and Poresh babu as the main protagonists. There are also many other interesting characters like Anandmoyi who has no religious affinities, believes in one God and is symbolic of Mother India; Baradasundari and Haran Babu, relentless Brahmos; Krishnadayal and Harimohini, fanatic Hindus; Mohim and Abinash, the hypocritical part of the society. Sucharita, a central female character is introduced as a symbol of nature, and as the novel progresses, slowly but imperceptibly, this symbol gets transformed into a form and a figure, and provides her with a very independent and individual mind. Binoy on the other hand is introduced as a soft spoken, easily convincible and very compassionate gentleman who initially comes across as a mere shadow of Gora but in the subsequent development emerges as more genuine and self-analyzing. He is described as a golden-hearted person with high conscience, who cannot intentionally hurt anyone or refuse anything, is in constant dilemma about right and wrongs.Poresh Babu is described a mature and high thinking gentleman .Lolita is described as rebellious enough of revolting against her own family and society, for following her heart’s desires and true calling.
Characters like Mohim, Krishnadayal, Horimohini, and Pannu Babu compromise with the ideologies of their sect or religion for their personal benefits. They follow their religion/sect in a very mechanical way; they basically kill its foundation.
Gora has a clear perspective of religion and can comprehend the necessity of saving an old culture from being disintegrated in the name of politics and social reforms. Gora is a strong advocate of Hinduism and practices his religion with high regards, thorough conviction and strict austerity.According to him the ideal Bharatvarsha is possible by uniting all classes under the large umbrella of Hinduism . The novel takes an exiting turn when Gora finds out that he is not a Hindu at all . At the end of the novel Gora reaches the stage of Ananadamayi, who has more liberal views on religion. But during his journey he is also found to be seen sympathesizing with the muslims.Gora reminds the old Muslim man, who has been whipped in face by a British, of the prophet’s message.
In Anadamoyi's conduct throughout the novel, we find her to be a noble hearted woman who did not want to get into verbose argumentation on which was the right path, but one who desired to enhance and enrich our growth as 'human beings', without which religions, societies, customs, ideologies- with all progressive or reactionary ideas - can become a terrible bondage. The freedom that she had accorded to Gora, and the ease with which she was shown to be able to assimilate the others who came in his life-story added to her weakness for the nobility and gentility in Binoy's approach. All her actions bore testimony to this fact. The character of Anandamoyi has been shown to be reflected in so many ways in the novel, with liberal and tolerant attitudes. She is a sharp contrast to contriving Barodashundari and Harimohini, belying the difference between liberal Hindus, revolting Brahmos and traditional ritualists.
Colonialism and Nationalism are the two important aspects of the novel. All the characters except a few, who are the followers of the Brahmo Samaj, have the feelings of antagonism towards the British rulers. Only people like Pannubabu and Boroda Sundori are very fond of the English way of living and consider the British rule as a blessing of God. On the other hand, some people like Mohim and Karishandayal show a lot of respect to the English officials because of the petty selfish reasons. Simultaneously, one cannot deny that the novelist has also carved a soothing niche for the liberal attitude of the Western mind. The characters of Poresh Babu and Anandmoyi give testimony to it.
The novel relates to the odyssey of a young man Gora from the narrowness of the institutionalized religion he believed in to disillusionment and enlightenment as a 'human being' .
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