The Home and the World discusses issues such as the Swadeshi movement in India, nationalism, ideas about what a country is, etc. One thing in particular that I found very intriguing was Bimala's character arc throughout the book and her adherence (or lack of) to gender roles: at the beginning of the story, she was a faithful and very devoted wife to Nikhil, living under the seclusion that the purdah lifestyle mandates. The strength of her wifely devotion to her husband borders on the slavish, as she obviously reviles in humbling or even degrading herself as less than human before her husband: "Can there be any real happiness for a woman in merely feeling that she has power over a man? To surrender one's pride in devotion is woman's only salvation" (20-21) Bimala willingly and joyfully surrenders herself to the role of a servant before a master, believing that there is no job more wonderful in the world. Although she is happy in what she does, she is in fact powerless and weak in society, her devotion to Nikhil her only role in society.
However, with the introduction of Sandip into the novel, everything changes. Hearing about the Swadeshi movement and being actively encouraged by her husband to reject purdah and take a more active role in society, Bimala quickly embraces the idea of making a difference in the world around her. Having rejected the idea of purdah, she makes a transition from her home into the world, as suggested by the novel's title, and starts taking an active part in the Swadeshi movement as an ally of Sandip's. In doing this, she seemingly procures more power. However, although Sandip seemingly worships her and claims that she is a goddess for a free India, in reality his affection is not sincere, as he obligates her to do the dirty work of stealing thousands of rupees for the Swadeshi cause. In addition, Bimala also takes Amulya under her wing, a move that some may call natural and maternal, but others may call a falling-back into the gender role of females as emotional caregivers, cheerleaders, and caretakers. Although Bimala appears to achieve freedom and independence through her rejection of purdah, she merely falls into the trap of a different kind of gender bondage, where she is still obligated to do the "dirty work" for the Swadeshi movement in addition to playing caretaker to others.
This familiar journey of moving towards independence can, I feel, also be seen in this short story that I'm currently reading in one of my other literature classes by Nathaniel Hawthorne (The Scarlet Letter), called "My Kinsman, Major Molineux." In this story, the 18-year-old Robin goes to the city for the first time, looking for his older relative and also hoping to find his way in the world away from the shelter that his parent provide. However, some have argued that Robin is merely moving along from one guardian (his parents, collectively) to another (Major Molineux) and that he is not, in reality, "growing up" and becoming independent. Rather, he is hopping along from parental figure to parental figure, relying on them for guidance instead of forging his own way. What do you guys think of this? Does anybody see the connection between the two stories? Or does anybody view it a different way?
However, with the introduction of Sandip into the novel, everything changes. Hearing about the Swadeshi movement and being actively encouraged by her husband to reject purdah and take a more active role in society, Bimala quickly embraces the idea of making a difference in the world around her. Having rejected the idea of purdah, she makes a transition from her home into the world, as suggested by the novel's title, and starts taking an active part in the Swadeshi movement as an ally of Sandip's. In doing this, she seemingly procures more power. However, although Sandip seemingly worships her and claims that she is a goddess for a free India, in reality his affection is not sincere, as he obligates her to do the dirty work of stealing thousands of rupees for the Swadeshi cause. In addition, Bimala also takes Amulya under her wing, a move that some may call natural and maternal, but others may call a falling-back into the gender role of females as emotional caregivers, cheerleaders, and caretakers. Although Bimala appears to achieve freedom and independence through her rejection of purdah, she merely falls into the trap of a different kind of gender bondage, where she is still obligated to do the "dirty work" for the Swadeshi movement in addition to playing caretaker to others.
This familiar journey of moving towards independence can, I feel, also be seen in this short story that I'm currently reading in one of my other literature classes by Nathaniel Hawthorne (The Scarlet Letter), called "My Kinsman, Major Molineux." In this story, the 18-year-old Robin goes to the city for the first time, looking for his older relative and also hoping to find his way in the world away from the shelter that his parent provide. However, some have argued that Robin is merely moving along from one guardian (his parents, collectively) to another (Major Molineux) and that he is not, in reality, "growing up" and becoming independent. Rather, he is hopping along from parental figure to parental figure, relying on them for guidance instead of forging his own way. What do you guys think of this? Does anybody see the connection between the two stories? Or does anybody view it a different way?
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