In line with the Bengali Renaissance, Tagore was an advocate for women’s rights and a fierce critic of injustices against women. While he believed that men and women have different roles in society, he viewed women as moral guides. As you read the story, consider how his views about gender roles inform his depiction of the male and female characters.
Whether it is about women’s rights, agrarian reform, or anti-colonial struggle, Tagore had a unique vision for a spiritually enlightened India. He viewed education as the only path to a modern India. With that in mind, he established an experimental school known as Shantiniketan that featured his unique pedagogy. According to Tagore, one of the main principles of education was that classes should be conducted outside, in nature. He believed that living in close communion with nature was the best way to ensure healthy moral development. Living in harmony with nature helps us stay in touch with the spiritual and moral parts of ourselves and maintain a sense of belonging with the community and the whole creation. For this reason, it is no surprise that nature functions as an important literary motif in Tagore’s works; nature is a symbol of moral authority and truth. As you read our story, pay close attention to allusions to nature and natural phenomena. What is their function in the story? How do they provide a commentary on the main events in the story?
