The Postmaster
The Postmaster
Rabindranath Tagore was born in Kolkata, Bengal on 7th May 1861. He was popularly known as "Vishwa Kavi" or "the universal poet". He was a multifaceted personality- a great writer, music composer, educationist, playwright, essayist and painter. Some of his notable works are Gitanjali, Gora, Ghare-Bhaire and Amar Sonar Bangla. He wrote and composed the National Anthems of two countries- India and Bangladesh. He received Nobel Prize for literature in the year 1913, the first Asian and the first non-European to receive the award.
The themes of the story are human emotions, loneliness, and the complexities of human relationships. The story revolves around two characters, a postmaster, and Ratan, an orphan girl. The postmaster, a resident of Calcutta city, was posted at the post office in Ulapur, a remote village in West Bengal. The proprietor of the Indigo factory, an Englishman, had managed to establish a post office. A man from Calcutta took up his duties at the post office, which was located in a dark thatched shed. The postmaster had little company in the village as he was not sociable. He struggled to adjust to the monotonous and isolated life in the village. He had to cook for himself, and Ratan would help him with household chores. Ratan would always sit outside waiting for the postmaster's call, and usually, she would ask, 'Did you call me, sir?'. The postmaster would converse with Ratan about her mother and family. She recalled memories of her father being fonder than her mother. She also remembered the days when she played with her little brother. On some evenings, the postmaster recalled memories of his mother, sister, and his home in the city. He longed for a kindred soul and a loving human being with whom he could share his thoughts. The postmaster wanted to teach the alphabet to Ratan. She was eating unripe guavas under the tree and came running breathlessly to the postmaster when called. He started teaching her the alphabet, and she learned them in a short time. Ratan entered the room when she could not hear the call from her master. She saw him on the bed, suffering from fever. His ailing body needed a little tender nursing. He longed to feel the touch on the forehead of his mother and sister. Ratan stepped into the role of a mother and brought the village doctor for treatment. Ratan cared for the postmaster during his illness by nursing him, giving him medicines, and staying by his side. The postmaster made a decision to get transferred from this remote village, which was severely affecting his health. The postmaster resigned from his job as he didn't get a transfer. He informed Ratan about his resignation and leaving for home in Calcutta. When the postmaster finished his supper, Ratan asked him whether he would take her to his home. He laughed and didn't give much attention to her question. The postmaster's laughing reply haunted her the whole night. In the early morning, Ratan fetched water from the river for her master's bath. He assured her that he would inform his successor about her. Ratan burst out weeping as she could not bear these words. The postmaster was dumbfounded. He handed over the charge of the office to the new postmaster and prepared to depart. He took out his month's salary from his pocket, retaining the amount needed for traveling. Ratan didn't take his money but fell at his feet and cried. The postmaster with his luggage boarded the boat. He felt a pain in his heart when he recalled the grief-stricken face of Ratan. At one point, he had an impulse to go back and bring Ratan along with him, but the boat had reached the middle of the river, and the village was already left behind. Ratan, with hope, was waiting at the post office for Dada's return.
Answer the following questions in one or two lines.
1. Who had established the post office in Ulapur?
The post office in Ulapur was established by the British government.
2. Where was the post office located in Ulapur?
The post office was located in a small, thatched hut in the village of Ulapur.
3. Where had the postmaster come from?
The postmaster had come from Calcutta.
4. Who was Ratan?
Ratan was an orphaned village girl who helped the postmaster with his daily chores.
5. What did Ratan remember about her family?
Ratan remembered very little about her family, mainly vague memories of her parents and brother.
6. What memories did the postmaster recall?
The postmaster recalled memories of his mother, sister, and his home in the city.
7. Who addresses the postmaster as 'Dada'?
Ratan addresses the postmaster as 'Dada,' meaning elder brother.
8. How did Ratan look after the postmaster during his illness?
Ratan cared for the postmaster during his illness by nursing him, giving him medicines, and staying by his side.
9. What does the postmaster teach the girl?
The postmaster taught Ratan to read and write
10. On what grounds did the postmaster apply for a transfer?
The postmaster applied for a transfer on the grounds of his loneliness and the remote location of Ulapur.
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