The Home and the World: A Response to Modernization Through Characterization

In an increasingly global world, there arises an inherent conflict. As the pressure

and influence of international culture begins to grow, what happens to the ideals of

tradition and nationalism? Rabindranath Tagore attempts to illuminate the progression of

Indian culture in the face of growing Western expansion throughout The Home and the

World. His analysis, and its subsequent counterpoints are presented through the

characters of Nikhil, his wife Bimala, and Sandip, their guest and Bimala’s would-be

lover. Nikhil embodies a progressive attitude, one accepting of traditional Indian

spiritualism, but also understanding the need for recognition of cultural changes. Sandip,

on the other hand, represents an attitude present in colonial India, one of staunch

nationalism. As a foil for Nikhil, Tagore is able to debate the two ends of the patriotic

spectrum. This leaves Bimala as the voice of the Indian people. Whereas Nikhil and

Sandip embody opposing maxims, Bimala exists as a flawed medium between the two,

subject to argument from both sides. Through these characters, Tagore creates a

commentary on the growing divisions of Indian civilization, and the distinctive responses

by its citizens.

For Nikhil, the Swadeshi movement in Bengal, or the rejection of non-Indian

goods and principles, is as much a form of oppression as the increasing presence of the

British Empire. While Nikhil, much like Tagore, understands the value of custom and has

an inherent sense of respect for Bengal, he recognizes the necessity of global acceptance.

As the Swadeshi movement gains support, Nikhil denounces its misplaced use of

patriotism, stating: “I am willing… to serve my country; but… to worship my country as

a god is to bring a curse upon it.” He believes that in the face of change, and the

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appearance of more Westernization, radical adherence to nationalism and a descent into

violence provides only detriment to a society. It is truly in his death that the cost of this

misplaced patriotism is explored. For Tagore, the killing of Nikhil at the hands of a

Bengal uprising embodies the danger of radical fundamentalism. This violent fervor

illustrates an inability of many Indians to look past their dogmatic love of country to find

a greater cause than preserving tradition.

While both Nikhil and Sandip share the ideal of an India removed from

oppression, Sandip views himself as an “ubermensch”, a realist hero battling the

destruction of traditional India. A greedy iconoclast, Sandip manipulates the passion of

the Indian people, most notably Bimala, in order to achieve his goals. His idea of ends

justifying means is taken to the extreme as the Swadeshi movement, which he

spearheads, closes down schools, and burns foreign goods in order to signal a return to

strict nationalism. This mindset, according to Tagore, is not one of pride and patriotism,

but rather of destruction and anarchy, which only work to further Sandip’s egocentric

conquests. Ultimately, his subversive nature is revealed as he reflects: “Nature surrenders

herself, but only to the robber. For she delights in this forceful desire, this forceful

abduction.” In both his role as a nationalist leader, and also a man seducing Bimala,

Sandip personifies the reverse of Nikhil, that morals and the ideas of respect can be

thrown aside in order to promote a personal agenda.

Caught in between these two representations is Bimala, a symbol of the Bengal

people and the sentiment of an active India. Her lack of interest in Nikhil’s pacifistic

approach to the Swadeshi movement allows her to be seduced by Sandip’s drive and

animalistic nature. When Bimala determines Sandip’s true intentions however, and

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realizes the true love Nikhil has for her, the nature of her outlook reverses. She says,

thinking upon Sandip’s promises: “Instead of it [passion] there only… A dried-up

watercourse with all its rocks and pebbles laid bare.” Although Bimala may initially

represent the passion of the Bengal people to act and mobilize against the diminishment

of tradition, her disillusionment over Sandip’s methodology opens her eyes to the

hypnotic destructiveness of blind patriotism. Like Bimala, the Bengal people want to

sacrifice themselves to the nation. Tagore, through Bimala, illustrates that while Nikhil’s

non-violent approach may be ideal, it does not have the same draw as mass revolution. A

seductive tactic, such violent action becomes impossible to control, and consumes the

individual in anarchic attempt to retain traditional values.

Tagore utilizes The Home and World as a commentary on the consequences of

radicalized nationalism and action in the face of modernization. Through the characters

of Sandip and Bimala, he illustrates the power and seduction of drastic, violent action,

and the harm it indiscriminately causes to those around it. Ultimately, Tagore mirrors his

viewpoint through the ideals of Nikhil, advocating an approach to progress of mutual

acceptance and individual respect. Nikhil and Sandip, although both fighting for a cause,

it the poisonous nature of pride and egocentricity that ultimately corrupt Sandip. Denying

a celebratory view of humanity for such a dogmatic view of change and culture

ultimately results in tragedy.