The Home and the World
Love, Loyalty, and Revolution in Bengal's Heart
by Rabindranath TagoreLiterary FictionPolitical Novel
Ghare Baire (ঘরে বাইরে)
Originally in Bengali1916
19 chapters299 pages6½h read
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About This Book
Set against the backdrop of early twentieth-century Bengal, 'The Home and the World' plunges readers into a world torn between the intimate bonds of home and the sweeping tides of nationalism. Through the voices of Bimala, her contemplative husband Nikhilesh, and the charismatic revolutionary Sandip, Rabindranath Tagore crafts a vivid tapestry where personal desires collide with political ideals. As the Swadeshi movement stirs passions and uproots certainties, each character is forced to confront the shifting boundaries of love, duty, and self. Tagore’s lyrical storytelling and complex characters invite readers into an unforgettable exploration of identity and the price of devotion—both to country and to heart.
Characters
View all 53 charactersAbout the Author
Rabindranath Tagore
1861–1941
Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941) stands as a towering figure in Indian and world literature, celebrated for his lyrical mastery and profound humanism. The first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his collection Gitanjali, Tagore’s creative genius spanned poetry, novels, music, and painting. His novel *Ghare Baire* (*The Home and the World*, 1916) explores the complexities of identity and nationalism, reflecting his nuanced vision for modern India. As the founder of Visva-Bharati University, Tagore championed a global, inclusive education, ensuring his legacy endures as a beacon of cultural and intellectual renaissance.
Places and Terms in this Book
Bande Mataram— A patriotic slogan and song meaning 'Hail to the Mother(land)', widely used during the Swadeshi movement.
Calcutta— The capital of British India at the time (now Kolkata), a major cultural and political center.
Bengal— A region in eastern India, Bengal was a major center of the Swadeshi movement and is the cultural setting of the novel.
Swadeshi— A movement advocating the use of Indian-made goods and the boycott of foreign products, central to the Indian independence movement.
Lakshmi— Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, fortune, and prosperity; 'Lakshmis' refers to women as embodiments of the goddess, symbolizing prosperity and auspiciousness.
Vaishnava— Vaishnava refers to the devotional tradition within Hinduism centered on the worship of Vishnu and his avatars; Vaishnav babajis are ascetic devotees of this tradition.
Vocabulary
sari— A traditional garment worn by women in India, consisting of a long piece of cloth draped around the body.
Thakurpo— A Bengali term meaning 'younger brother-in-law,' used by a sister-in-law to address her husband's younger brother.
mantra— A sacred utterance, word, or phrase in Hinduism believed to have spiritual power; here used metaphorically for repeated sayings or beliefs.
babu— 'Babu' is a respectful or honorific suffix for men, especially in Bengal, similar to 'Mr.' or 'Sir'; also used as a respectful term for a gentleman or educated man in Bengali/Indian society.
dacoits— Armed bandits or robbers, especially in rural India.
betel nuts— Betel nut (the seed of the areca palm) is commonly chewed in South Asia for its stimulant effects, often sliced and prepared with betel leaf and other ingredients.
