Gora by Rabindranath Tagore

Gora

Rabindranath Tagore

Summary

Introduction:

Gora is a novel written by Rabindranath Tagore in nineteenth century India, when it was in the grip of the British. At first the reader can assume that this is another book about the oppression of Indians by the British. However, this is not the case. In addition to highlighting many of the problems that exist in society, the book deals with man's inner conflict because he is trying to distinguish between right and wrong. This novel, woven with theories and arguments of philosophy, leads a person to a struggle when he follows the truth. Written almost in poetic language, Gora raises controversial questions about Indian identity.

Summary:

In the novel Gora, Rabindranath Tagore, Binoy and Gora express their ideas through the words of these two characters. An orphan boy, like the ordinary, grew as a humble educated Bengali gentleman, rational, very intelligent, humble yet brilliant. He is opposite his closest friend in the beginning. The name Gora is short for Gourmohan and he got this name because of his very fair caste. Gora is an orthodox Hindu and strictly follows all the customs and beliefs of Hindus. Gora was not a Hindu but a follower of Brahmo Samaj. However, when the British ridiculed Hindu culture harshly, Gora realized that he should first focus on driving the British out of India and then into a particular religion. His idea was to unite all the people on the general basis of Hinduism, since, according to him, Hinduism belonged to the country, and being a Hindu gave him a sense of oneness with his land. Tagore spoke through Gora, as if trying to justify that Hinduism, though sorted out by countless orthodox practices and superstitions, was believed by people outside of respect for society.

To Gora, society was above all else, and what he had done was out of respect for society. Soon Binoy got acquainted with his Brahmin neighbor Paresh Babu and his family. The Brahmo Samaj founded by Raja Rammohan Roy was a believer in rational and liberal thought and the traditional Hindu religion was free from all orthodox practices. They believed that they had ushered in an era of change, both intellectual and administrative. Most of them believed that the British would revolutionize Indian society and free it from the shackles of various social evils. However, as mentioned in the book, some Brahms were strongly biased against the Hindus. They regarded them as ignorant and backward. During this period the whole society was divided between Brahmans and Hindus. Although the beliefs of the Brahmins never discriminated against the individual and respected all creation, the Brahmins had a deep contempt for the Hindus. Raja Rammohun Roy also preached teachings that were indicative of Christian influence.

In the society of that time, however, becoming a Christian was considered as equal to faith in English. The reader is now acquainted with Paresh Babu, his strict Brahmin wife Barodashudari, with his adopted children; Satish, the perishable and intelligent good-natured and playful, his own three daughters; Labanya, rebellious Lalitha and Leela. Vinay meets the conservative Brahma Haran Babu (also known as Panu Babu), who is opposed to merging with anyone outside his own society. It is assumed that he will marry Sucharita, but only when he is eighteen years old. Vinay is not aware of this, but he is attracted to beautiful goodness. One day Binoy Paresh go to Paresh Babu's house and talks to his family. Surprised, Paresh Babu also got a visit from Gora, whom his father sent there to ask about Paresh Babu.

Soon, the orthodox Brahma Haran Babu and the orthodox Hindus began to start arguing about Gora nationality and Hinduism. After arguing, Gora and Haran Babu followed Binoy and left. Gora is now reluctant to speak politely to go to the Paresh Babu's house. But a few days later Gora decides that he and Binoy are good friends and if he does not agree to let his friend come out of his control he becomes a Brahmin. Gora's brother Mohan came to Binoy and asked him to marry Sashimukhi, who is Mahim's daughter. Vinay was annoyed at first because Sashi was very young and he knew her from a young age. After that, Gora and Binoy met Paresh Babu again. But Paresh Babu is unavailable and leaves these with good manners.

As an orthodox Hindu, he believes that he will not recognize women and is sitting in silence. Soon Haran Babu entered, and after a quarrel between him and Gora about the British magistrate, went into a mood. Gora now looks at Sucharita and instead of discovering her as an arrogant lady (as she is educated) thinks of her as an intelligent, cultured, devastated and strong woman. Gora refused to admit that she had feelings for goodness, so the next day she and a group of her religious followers set out on a religious journey. Meanwhile, Paresh Babu's family has dragged Binoy to perform a play on behalf of a British magistrate. During this time, Gora also came to the same place to complain to the magistrate about the situation of some of the villages he had visited. However, the magistrate refused to hear it.

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