Tagore was a world citizen and a universal poet.
Terrorists were honoured ,treated as heroes and symbols of
valour in pre independence era.
Tagore denounced revolutionary movement and took sides with
the moderates in national movement. Four
chapters is a love story set in Bengal
in backdrop of
terrorist activities in Bengal.
Ela, heroine of the novel
is tormented by the conflict
between love and duty. Love for Atin, a
member of the same band and duty towards her country. Tagore presents her agony
of growing violence and love affair with
Atin, set in the backdrop of Bengal extremism. Indranath , a leader of the band
knows that Atin joined their group for
love of Ela. He accuses Ela of breaking away of Atin from the extremist band
and warns her not to distract Atin’s
attention from the band activities. Indranath reminds her of pledge
taken at the time of joining the band.
Ela raises her voice against the violence and deaths of
innocent boys in the battle.She appeals fervently to the mother sex to cool the
overheated heads of the boys. Indrantath condemns her statements against the violence
and says such revulsion of spirit is
common on the eve of a great battle, mentions an instance from Gita that Arjuna himself, was
thus afflicted at the outset of the kurukshetra war.
Atin desires union with Ela but she refuses to take his hand
in marriage saying she cannot live in a false paradise and the main obstacle is not
outside but within her.
Atin feels he is made a pawn in the game started by the band
and finds way out is blocked. Both Atin and Ela were separated by fate as they
are trapped in the band .Atin donates his
clothes to flood victims ,inspired by
Ela speech .Tagore with these two
characters tried to imply that the
revolution is not the right path to choose to get freedom. Though Tagore differ
with Gandhi in many issues , he is in unison with him on the revolution.
The book is not very much interesting and sometimes it is boring
with the lengthy dialogues.
I delved into it but found not much. I don’t know much about Tagore’s
philosophy. I think prior knowledge of
his philosophy is desirable to understand his works.
