Level: BA/BBS | Lesson 51 Where The Mind is With Out Fear (Rabindra Nath Tagore, India 1861-1941)
Word Meanings
stretches = expands
fragments = pieces
perfection = completeness
dreary = sadness
stream = small river
striving = effort
Summary
In this prayer, Tagore expresses his wishes for his country to be heaven of freedom like other countries. The poet says that there should be educated people who are not divided into different groups due to superstitions and traditions. Their head should always high and there shouldn’t be feeling of fear in their mind. He prays the God that his country men’s thought should be ever- widening and old-traditions should be away from their mind. They should speak the words from the depth of truth. Their knowledge should be free so that they will express their feelings. They should achieve perfection, justice and reasoning. He prays the god to make his country heaven of freedom and so that his countrymen hold their head high with identity and dignity.
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Four Levels of Interpretation
Literal Comprehension
This text is written in the form of poem but it is simply a prayer to the almighty God. In this prayer, Tagore expresses his wishes for his country to be heaven of freedom like other countries. The poet says that there should be educated people who are not divided into different groups due to superstitions and traditions. Their head should always high and there shouldn’t be feeling of fear in their mind. He prays the God that his country men’s thought should be ever- widening and old-traditions should be away from their mind. They should speak the words from the depth of truth. Their knowledge should be free so that they will express their feelings. They should achieve perfection, justice and reasoning. He prays the god to make his country heaven of freedom and so that his countrymen hold their head high with identity and dignity.
Interpretation
The poet wishes good future of his countrymen. He likes to see India like a heaven of freedom where Indian people could enjoy freedom and pursuit of happiness. People are narrow minded so there isn’t harmony and progress among his countrymen. He wishes his country to be heaven of freedom. It is his wish.
Critical Thinking
The poem is rather short but the language used in the poem is complex. He expresses his patriotic feelings towards his country. He prays God to make his country heaven of freedom. Is it possible for India to be heaven for freedom? Rather praying the God, he should have established an organization to make Indian people couscous or wake them up from superstitions.
Assimilation
When I read this poem, I remembered our martyrs who sacrificed their life for the freedom of Nepalese people. Dashrath Chand, Sukra Raj, Dharma Bhakta and Gangalal had also similar dream as Rabindra Nath Tagore wishes. These four martyrs sacrificed their life when they spoke for freedom of Nepalese people. They had feeling of patriotism.
Possible Questions
1. Write the gist of the poem “Where The Mind is Without Fear?”
2. What is the various ways for ideal state given by Rabindra Nath Tagore?
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