Tree Without Roots
Novel
|
Syed Waliullah
Tree Without Roots Key Facts
Key Facts
Title: Tree Without Roots (English translation of Lalsalu)
Author: Syed Waliullah (1922-1971)
Publication Date: 1948 (original Bengali); English version published later by the author himself
Genre: Social and psychological novel; existential and realist fiction
Main Character: Majeed
Expand Tree Without Roots Key Facts
Tree Without Roots Summary
Summary
The Beginning: The Arrival of a Stranger: The story begins in a remote village named Mahabbatpur. It is situated near the Garo Hills in northern Bengal. A government officer goes hunting in the forest and suddenly hears the sound of azan. The voice is sweet and strong. Surprised, he follows the sound and meets a poor-looking man. The man says his name is Majeed. He claims that he has come...
Expand Tree Without Roots Summary
Tree without Roots Theme
Themes
Religious Exploitation: The novel shows how religion can be misused for personal gain. Majeed turns an unknown grave into a saint’s shrine and deceives the villagers. His false holiness controls their minds and lives. Through this, Waliullah exposes blind faith and corruption.
Existential Struggle: Majeed’s journey reflects the search for existence and survival. He fights poverty, loneline...
Expand Tree without Roots Theme
Tree without Roots Character
Characters:
Majeed: Majeed is the central character of the novel. He is poor, clever, and ambitious. He comes to Mahabbatpur and declares an old grave as a saint’s shrine. He uses religion to control others. Though he becomes rich and powerful, he remains lonely and insecure.
Rahima: Rahima is Majeed’s first wife. She is strong, obedient, and kind. She listens to village women and prays with them...
Expand Tree without Roots Character
Tree without Roots Quotations
“It was Rahima, wife of the guardian of the saint’s grave, who could plead with Majeed to help them in their sorrow; it was she who could intercede on their behalf. She who had become the advocate of the village women before the divine will.”
“It is well that a man should know it when he sins. Here, amongst us, we have someone today who has perhaps sinned in ignorance. Yet God declares that i...
Expand Tree without Roots Quotations
Notes
Explore 16 detailed notes related to Tree Without Roots. Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.