Key Facts
- Author: Rabindranath Tagore (1861 – 1941)
- Title of the Author: The Bard of Bengal, Gurudeb, Kobiguru, Biswokobi
- Written Date: The poem was composed in 1900.
- Published Date: It was published in 1910 as part of Tagore’s collection of poems titled “Gitanjali.”
- Original Title: The original Bengali title of the poem is “চিত্ত যেথা ভয়শূন্য” (Chitto Jetha Bhoyshunno).
- Genre: Philosophical Poetry
- Tone: Inspirational, hopeful, and contemplative.
- Stanzas: The poem consists of 11 lines and is not divided into traditional stanzas.
- Total Lines: 11 lines
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem is written in free verse and does not follow a strict rhyme scheme.
- Setting:
- Time Setting: The poem does not explicitly mention a specific time period but addresses the idea of a better future.
- Place Setting: The poem doesn’t specify a particular place but rather focuses on the state of mind and society.
Symbols
- The Symbolism of the Title: “Where the mind is without fear” signifies a state of freedom and confidence. The absence of fear represents a society where individuals can express themselves openly and without restraint.
- “Head Held High”: It represents self-respect and dignity. It implies the absence of oppression and humiliation.
- “Clear Stream of Reason” refers to rational thinking and clarity of thought. It implies a society where reason prevails over ignorance and superstition.
- “Dead Habit”: Represents mindless and repetitive actions without purpose. It suggests a society that is stuck in routine without progress.
- “Where the World has not been Broken Up” signifies unity and harmony among people. It implies a society without divisions and conflicts.
- “Narrow Domestic Walls” represents narrow-mindedness, prejudice, and isolation barriers. It suggests breaking down the walls that limit one’s perspective.
- “Where Words Come Out from the Depth of Truth”: It refers to truthful and meaningful expression. It implies sincerity in communication and discourse.
- “Tireless Striving” represents the relentless pursuit of progress and improvement. It signifies a society that constantly seeks growth and betterment.
- “Heaven of Freedom”: It portrays a state of ultimate liberation and independence. It suggests a utopian society where freedom reigns.
Literary Devices
- Metaphor: A comparison that suggests one thing is another. The entire poem is metaphorical in its depiction of an ideal society.
- Imagery: Vivid language that creates mental pictures. “Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.”
- Parallelism: Using similar structures for a balanced effect. The poem uses parallelism to list contrasting states or conditions. For example, “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high, Where knowledge is free and the world has not been broken up into fragments…”
- Alliteration: Repetition of initial consonant sounds. “Where thee leads the mind forward.”
- Personification: Giving human traits to non-human things. “let my country awake.”
- Anaphora: Repetition of words at the beginning of clauses. “Where the mind is without fear” is repeated at the beginning of each stanza.
- Enjambment: Running lines of poetry into each other. “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high…”
- Contrast: Highlighting differences between concepts. The contrast between the ideal (“Where the world has not been broken up into fragments…”) and the real.
- Rhetorical Questions: Questions not meant to be answered. “Where the mind is without fear…”
- Euphony: Pleasant, harmonious sounds in language. The poem is overall melodious sound.
Selected Quotations
“Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free”
(The poet talks about the ideal country and the world.)
“Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls”
(Here, the poet talks about an ideal world where there would be no borders for any country.)
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.”
(Here, the poet prays to God that the minds of human beings are to be led by Him. He prays to God for his country to be ideal.)
Themes
Freedom: The poem talks about wanting a world where people are not afraid and can freely express themselves.
Knowledge: It’s about a place where knowledge is available to everyone without restrictions.
Unity: The poem imagines a world without divisions, where everyone comes together.
“Where the mind is led forward by thee“
Progress: It is about always trying to improve and achieve higher goals.
Clear Thinking: The poem values thinking logically instead of following old habits.
Guidance hints at the idea that good leaders can help the country move forward.
English Summary
“Where the Mind is Without Fear” is a famous poem by Rabindranath Tagore, an Indian poet and Nobel laureate. It’s a heartfelt call for a progressive and enlightened society. The poem is about a vision of an ideal country where people are free from ignorance, fear, and narrow-mindedness.
Tagore Envision for the People: In the poem, Tagore envisions a world where people’s minds are open, fearless, and knowledgeable. He imagines a place where people can freely express their thoughts and ideas without fearing judgment or oppression. He wants a society where truth and reason prevail, and people strive for knowledge and wisdom.
আরো পড়ুনঃ Fern Hill Bangla Summary (বাংলায়)
Education: Tagore discusses the importance of a clear mind not confined by superstitions or outdated beliefs. He wants people to question things and seek answers through rational thinking. He emphasizes the importance of education, which leads to enlightenment and self-discovery.
Hard Work for Nation: The poet also highlights the significance of honesty and hard work. He wants people to be truthful in their actions and endeavors. He envisions a society where people work hard not just for personal gain but for the betterment of the whole nation. He wants people to be proud of their heritage and move forward with open minds and a sense of responsibility.
The poem encourages a society free from ignorance, fear, and limitations and striving for knowledge, truth, and progress.
Where the Mind is Without Fear Bangla Summary (বাংলায়)
“Where the mind Is Without Fear” ভারতীয় এবং নোবেল বিজয়ী কবি রবীন্দ্রনাথ ঠাকুরের একটি বিখ্যাত কবিতা। এটি একটি প্রগতিশীল এবং আলোকিত সমাজের জন্য আন্তরিক আহ্বান। কবিতাটি লেখা হয় এমন একটি আদর্শ দেশের স্বপ্ন নিয়ে যেখানে মানুষ অজ্ঞতা, ভয় এবং সংকীর্ণতা থেকে মুক্ত থাকবে।
মানুষের জন্য কবির কল্পনা: কবিতায় কবি এমন একটি বিশ্বের কল্পনা করেছেন যেখানে মানুষের মন উন্মুক্ত, নির্ভীক এবং জ্ঞানী হবে। তিনি এমন একটি স্থানের কল্পনা করেন যেখানে মানুষ বিচার বা নিপীড়নের ভয় ছাড়াই স্বাধীনভাবে তাদের চিন্তাভাবনা এবং ধারণা প্রকাশ করতে পারবে। তিনি এমন একটি সমাজ চান যেখানে সত্য ও যুক্তির জয় হবে এবং মানুষ জ্ঞান ও প্রজ্ঞার জন্য চেষ্টা করবে।
আরো পড়ুনঃ Pike Bangla Summary (বাংলায়)
শিক্ষা: কবি কুসংস্কার বা পুরানো বিশ্বাস দ্বারা সীমাবদ্ধ নয় এমন পরিষ্কার মনের গুরুত্ব নিয়ে আলোচনা করেছেন। তিনি চান মানুষ যেকোনো বিষয়গুলো নিয়ে প্রশ্ন করুক এবং যুক্তিবাদী চিন্তার মাধ্যমে উত্তর খুঁজুক। তিনি শিক্ষার গুরুত্বের উপর জোর দেন যা আলোকিতকরণ এবং আত্ম-আবিষ্কারের দিকে পরিচালিত করে।
জাতির জন্য কঠোর পরিশ্রম: কবি সততা ও পরিশ্রমের তাৎপর্যও তুলে ধরেছেন। তিনি চান যে মানুষেরা তাদের কর্ম এবং প্রচেষ্টায় সত্যবাদী হোক। তিনি এমন একটি সমাজের কল্পনা করেন যেখানে মানুষ শুধু ব্যক্তিগত লাভের জন্য নয় বরং সমগ্র জাতির উন্নতির জন্য কঠোর পরিশ্রম করবে। তিনি চান মানুষ তাদের ঐতিহ্য নিয়ে গর্বিত হোক এবং খোলা মন ও দায়িত্ববোধ নিয়ে এগিয়ে যাক।
সামগ্রিকভাবে, কবিতাটি একটি সমাজকে অজ্ঞতা, ভয় এবং সীমাবদ্ধতা থেকে মুক্ত এবং জ্ঞান, সত্য এবং প্রগতির জন্য প্রচেষ্টা করতে উত্সাহিত করে।
