The Home And The World

Book Review: The Home and The World

Rabindranath Tagore

Set against the backdrop of the Swadeshi Movement, the novel touches upon not one but several interwoven themes, from Nationalism to the Institution of Marriage to Life itself. Though a difficult read at first, Tagore’s writing makes it impossible to leave the book midway, not just due to the curiosity about the story itself but also due to the interesting debates, the almost fierce justifications of different points of view and the philosophical undertones present throughout the book.

The narration is unique since it is in the first person, with the narrator changing every few pages. We get to know the story as seen by the three central characters: Bimala, the wife, Nikhil, the Husband and Sandip, Nikhil’s friend and the ‘Outsider’ in their marriage. For each of these narrators, the reader tends to develop a deep understanding of their points of view, their emotions and philosophies of life and empathize with their situations.

The story begins with Bimala, the homely, domesticated wife whose whole world is based within her ‘Home’ and around her husband Nikhil, her household duties and the domestic power struggle between sisters in law.

Nikhil is the down to earth simple man who though the owner of large estates does not have any unnecessary pride. He respects people of all sects of society and is unbiased. He also holds in high regard his schoolmaster Chandranath Babu. Nikhil feels that the restricted and cocooned life that Bimala is living is not fair. He wonders whether her love for him is true or it too is, for Bimala, one of her household duties, taken up by her when she married into the family. He wants their love to be true and wants to know if it will survive in the Outside ‘World’. He arranges for Bimala to be taught and encourages her to be modern, being eager to take her out of Purdah. In his efforts to introduce her to the Outside world and get her in touch with reality, he takes her to a Swadeshi rally held by his friend, the radical and aggressive, Sandip and thus begins the love triangle.

Sandip is a character who is the polar opposite of Nikhil and believes the ends justify the means and even if bloodshed, trickery, illusion, theft, destruction and untruth are needed to achieve what one wants then they must be used without any hesitation. Bimala is really impressed by Sandip who has the characteristics that she wished for in a husband. In her eyes he is a real man full of aggression, danger and passion. Sandip calls her ‘Queen Bee’ and always praises her, which makes her believe the ‘Illusion’ that she is the symbol of all womanhood and she is responsible for carrying forward the Swadeshi Movement. She is shown as confused throughout the novel and unable to take a clear stand on whom she loves. Sandip and Nikhil engage in long, interesting, deeply philosophical debates on various topics such as Swadeshi, Truth, Illusion, Nationalism, Passion, Want, etc.  When Bimala’s love for the ‘Cause’ and for Sandip dominate, then she tends to side with Sandip on these arguments and thinks Nikhil to be a weak impotent man. It is in these moments that she feels her love for her country is more important than her marriage and her ‘Home’. However when she feels guilty and feels bad for Nikhil then she sees him as the loving, caring husband and wants him to win the argument and resents Sandip for his bluntness.

I began with a feeling of worship, but that soon passed away. I ceased even to respect Sandip; on the contrary, I began to look down upon him.

This dwindling nature of Bimala first makes her steal from her own ‘Home’ for the ‘Cause’ but towards the end of the novel, her guilt and Sandip’s behavior make her realize that it is Nikhil who truly loves her with his whole heart, who’s even ready to let her go if she wishes, on realizing her infatuation with Sandip and his control over her. It is then that she realizes that she has betrayed her one true love.

Though the whole novel is based on the Swadeshi Movement, it does not promote it. Rather a hidden and ugly face of the Movement is shown. I personally find Nikhil’s viewpoint on Swadeshi really interesting, whereby he points out the suffering caused by such a movement to the poor sections of society who barely manage two square meals a day. There are several instances of such suffering, which is forced by the rich on the poor such as the forced burning of foreign cloth, suffering caused by Muslim rioting, the sinking of Mirjan’s boat and the penalty levied on Panchu. We see the contrast in the points of view of Nikhil and Sandip when Sandip asks Nikhil to force traders in his market to sell only Swadeshi goods. What Sandip views as necessary, Nikhil views as tyranny.

You have spent your whole past in a superior compartment, and now you come down to use them as tools for the wreaking of your wrath. I call it cowardly.

The novel has within it, different interpretations of what truth and reality are and how to achieve ones goals. Nikhil believes in the pure truth and that the use of illusions, untruth and violence can never lead to the true liberation of the country and freedom of its people. Sandip on the other hand believes one must do whatever is necessary to achieve our as well as the country’s goals, even if it means using violence and cruel injustice.

I have not forgotten the basic fact that man’s goal is not truth but success.

Both Sandip and Nikhil have contrasting and equally convincing opinions about the different issues addressed in the novel. It is upto the reader, which ideology he or she finds more legitimate. Though the storyline is simple, it is the novel’s depth and commentary on the themes of Swadeshi, love, truth, nationalism, realism and idealism, religion and the nature of men that make it an interesting and thought provoking read even after almost a century has passed since it was written.