Assignment - 1 - Psychological growth of Bimala in ‘The Home and The World’

TOPIC OF THE BLOG:-

This blog is part of an assignment for the Paper 201 - Indian English Literature - Pre-Independence - Sem - 3, 2023.

PSYCHOLOGICAL GROWTH OF BIMALA IN ‘THE HOME AND THE WORLD’

Table of Contents:-

• Personal Information
• Assignment Details
• Abstract
• Keywords
• Introduction
• Background and Overview of ‘The Home and The World’
• What is Psychological Growth?
• Introduction of Bimala
• Bimala's relationship with Nikhil
• The Influence of Sandeep on Bimala
• The Political Impact on Bimala
• Conclusion
• Works Cited

Personal Information:-

• Name:- Pooja Anilbhai Bhuva
• Batch:- M.A. Sem 3 (2022-2024)
• Enrollment Number:- 4069206420220005
• E-mail Address:- poojabhuva2002@gmail.com
• Roll Number:- 15

Assignment Details:-

• Topic:- Psychological growth of Bimala in ‘The Home and The World’
• Subject Code & Paper:- 22406 - Paper 201 - Indian English Literature – Pre-Independence
• Submitted to:- Smt. Sujata Binoy Gardi, Department of English, MKBU, Bhavnagar
• Date of Submission:- 27th November, 2023
• About Assignment:- In this Assignment I am going to discuss how Bimala - the main character of the novel - grows mentally by undergoing such new experiences.

Abstract:-

This Assignment explores how Bimala, the main character in Rabindranath Tagore's "The Home and The World," grows as a person during the Swadeshi Movement in early 1900s Bengal. We look closely at how Bimala changes, especially in her relationships with Nikhil and Sandip. We use ideas from psychologists like Erikson, Maslow, and Rogers to understand Bimala's journey. At first, Bimala is known as Nikhil's wife, but her loyalty is tested as she deals with Nikhil's calm ideas and Sandip's strong nationalist feelings. The research looks at Bimala's inner struggles, how she becomes more independent, and how political events impact her identity. Her involvement with Sandip leads to a deep self-discovery, even though it brings betrayals and personal problems. The political changes make her inner struggles more intense, creating a powerful journey of growth. In the end, "The Home and The World" shows a beautiful picture of personal growth mixed with big historical events, helping us understand how personal choices and history dance together.

Key Words:-

Bimala, Psychology, Psychological Growth, Character Analysis, Politics

Introduction:-

“I have read in books that we are called 'caged birds'. I cannot speak for others, but I had so much in this cage of mine that there was not room for it in the universe- at least that is what I then felt.”

- Bimala, ‘The Home and the World’

Rabindranath Tagore, an accomplished Indian polymath, is celebrated for his diverse contributions to literature, music, art, and social reform. Born on May 7, 1861, in Calcutta, India, Tagore achieved the historic feat of being the first non-European to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. (Lubet) His acclaimed collection of poems, "Gitanjali," earned him this prestigious honor.

Tagore wrote an important book called "The Home and The World" ("Ghare-Baire" in Bengali). It came out first in 1916. The story happens during a time in Bengal when there was a lot happening in politics called the Swadeshi Movement. This was in the early 1900s, and India was going through big changes. In the book, Tagore tells a story that mixes personal life with what's happening in the country. He talks about things like love for the nation, being free as a person, and the clash between old ways and new ideas.

Background and Overview of ‘The Home and The World’:-

"The Home and The World" ("Ghare-Baire" in Bengali) by Rabindranath Tagore published in 1916 is a work that provides a profound exploration of the socio-political idea in India during the early 20th century.

The story takes place during a time when something very important was happening in Bengal, India. This was called the Swadeshi Movement, and it was part of a bigger movement for India to be free from British rule. The people in this movement wanted to support things made in India and not buy things from other countries as a way of protesting against the British. This movement brought a strong feeling of love for the country and a push for self-reliance. In the novel, one can see how this period was full of changes in how people lived and what they believed. The characters in the story go through a lot because of these changes. There was a clash between the old ways and new ideas, and the novel explores this tension between tradition and modern life, showing the struggles of the time. (Tagore)

The story is about three main characters - Bimala, Nikhil, and Sandip - whose lives get mixed up during a time when big changes are happening in politics and society. Bimala, the main character, has a hard time choosing between her husband Nikhil's fair and open-minded ideas and the strong nationalism of Sandip. The book talks about the complications of nationalism, how the role of women changes through Bimala, and the clash between old and new values. Tagore tells the story in a thoughtful way, using symbols and beautiful language. "The Home and The World" is not just a story from the past; it's a timeless look at relationships, personal choices, and how societies change. (Tagore)

What is Psychological Growth?

Psychological Growth simply means getting better and wiser in how we think and feel. It's like learning new things in our minds and understanding our feelings. We also become better at dealing with other people and figuring out who we are. As we go through life, our thoughts, feelings, and how we relate to others keep changing. This helps us become stronger inside and feel better overall. 

"The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I change." (Cleary)

Rogers believed that growing in our minds and hearts is always happening. He thought that real learning and getting better means always being ready to adjust and welcome new things. This idea goes along with the thought that growing inside ourselves is something that keeps going all our lives. It happens because of what we go through, the tough stuff, and trying to understand more about who we are. (Rogers)

Erik Erikson, who studied how people grow and change, talked about how important it is in our minds and hearts. He had this idea that as we go through life, there are eight different times where we face challenges. If we deal with these challenges well, we become better and learn important qualities. For example, during the teenage years, Erikson said we face a challenge of figuring out who we are versus being confused about our role. If we handle it well, we get a clear sense of who we are. (Miller)

Maslow, a psychologist, had this idea called the "hierarchy of needs." It's like a ladder where people try to meet different needs. First, it's basic things like food and shelter, and then it goes up to reaching your full potential, which he called "self-actualization." When you reach this top part, it means you're growing a lot inside. You're being creative, solving problems, and feeling a strong sense of purpose. (Miller)

The insights of influential psychologists such as Erikson, Maslow, and Rogers provide valuable perspectives on the processes and milestones associated with psychological growth, emphasizing its dynamic nature and the importance of lifelong learning and adaptation.

Introduction of Bimala:-

In Tagore's book, "The Home and The World," the character Bimala is really important. She shows how things were changing during the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal, a time when people were figuring out how to balance old and new ways of life. At first, Bimala is introduced as Nikhil's wife. Nikhil is a guy who believes in fairness, freedom, and getting along with everyone, even when there's a lot of nationalism going on. Bimala, in the beginning, seems like a typical woman of that time, mostly staying at home. But as the story goes on, she changes a lot because of a leader named Sandip, who is very passionate about nationalism. We can see this by this sentence said by her, 

“For we women are not only the deities of the household fire, but the flame of the soul itself.” (Tagore)

Bimala's journey is like a rollercoaster because she has to decide between Nikhil's calm way of thinking and Sandip's intense nationalism. She becomes a way for Tagore to talk about how people, especially women, can make their own choices and learn about themselves, especially when everything around them is changing. As the story moves forward, Bimala's decisions and thoughts help us see how society is changing, and how big political events can affect personal lives. She is like a link between private life and public events, showing how it's not easy for individuals when everything around them is in flux. (Sharma) 

Bimala is a crucial part of the book, showing the struggles between home life and political stuff, old and new ideas. In the end, she becomes a symbol for how complex human identity is and how personal and societal forces mix together in a complicated way.

Bimala's Relationship with Nikhil:-

Bimala's relationship with Nikhil in "The Home and The World" plays a vital role in her psychological growth. Nikhil is Bimala's husband who represents a set of values that are rational, liberal, and in contrast to the deeply influenced nationalism of the time. At the beginning of the novel, Bimala's relationship with Nikhil is characterized by trust, respect, and mutual understanding. Nikhil values Bimala's opinions and treats her as an equal partner. Nikhil talks to Bimala about smart and thoughtful ideas, encouraging her to think critically and form her own opinions. This proves as an important part for a sense of intellectual independence in Bimala.

Nikhil supports Bimala's personal growth and desires, advocating for her education and exposing her to the outside world. He encourages her to explore her potential beyond traditional gender roles. Bimala's loyalty to Nikhil is tested as she grapples with her growing attraction to the charismatic Sandip and his nationalist ideology. This internal conflict becomes a crucible for her psychological growth.

Through the course of the novel, Bimala's experiences, particularly her interactions with Nikhil and Sandip, lead to a gradual realization of her own agency and a reevaluation of her identity. This contributes to her psychological transformation. In a sense one can say that for her Psychological Growth and mental changes was influenced by the thoughts of Nikhil and then by Sandip.

The Influence of Sandip on Bimala:-

In "The Home and The World," Bimala's story is strongly affected by Sandip, a leader with lots of energy for the country. His passion and charm make Bimala feel free from what society expects of her. Sandip's powerful speeches wake up feelings and dreams in Bimala that she didn't realize she had. This makes her challenge the roles society puts on her as a woman, and she starts to step out of the usual things expected of her at home. But being influenced by Sandip is not simple. It causes a clash between what Bimala believes, following her husband Nikhil's sensible ideas, and Sandip's strong nationalist views. This makes Bimala feel really confused and forces her to make tough choices about love, loyalty, and growing as a person.

As Bimala spends more time with Sandip, she starts to see things differently and questions what society thinks is normal. Sandip's influence helps her understand herself better and gives her a sense of freedom. But this time of change is not easy. When Bimala finds out that Sandip was using her and only cared about himself, she feels betrayed and disappointed. The consequences of being close to Sandip bring a lot of personal problems, not only in her marriage but also with other people.

Even though Bimala faces hard times and feels let down, her journey with Sandip makes her think a lot about herself and the world. The ending of the story doesn't neatly wrap up Bimala's fate, leaving it open for us to wonder what happens next. Through all the ups and downs, Bimala's experiences with Sandip help her grow as a person, showing us how personal choices and societal changes can be really complicated.

The Political Impact on Bimala:-

In "The Home and The World," the way politics is happening around Bimala is a big part of how she changes in her mind and heart. The Swadeshi Movement in Bengal is the background where Bimala's thoughts start to shift. The political changes going on around her act like a trigger for her to start seeing things differently. Bimala gets involved in politics, breaking away from the usual things expected of her. This gives her a stronger sense of doing things on her own. But, it also affects how she gets along with others, especially Nikhil. Their differences show the bigger problems in society, making Bimala think hard about what she values.

As Bimala deals with these political changes, she faces a lot of inner struggles. She's torn between different loyalties and ideas. This makes her learn more about herself and grow as a person. The political stuff also changes how she sees the world around her. By the end of the story, Bimala has been through a lot, and it's clear that the political impact has transformed her. It's like the political events become a powerful force that shapes who she is and helps her understand herself and the world better during a crucial time in India's history.

Conclusion:- 

To Conclude this Assignment, Rabindranath Tagore's "The Home and The World" is a fascinating story about how people change in a time of big social and political changes. The main character, Bimala, goes through a lot, especially with the Swadeshi Movement shaping everything around her. Her relationships with Nikhil and Sandip show how she grows as a person, dealing with powerful feelings and tough decisions. The political part of the story makes things even more interesting, connecting Bimala's personal journey with what's happening in the whole society. Overall, the book is like a colorful picture, showing how each person's identity dances with the changes around them, making us think about finding ourselves, making choices, and how big events shape our minds and hearts.

Works Cited:-

• Cleary, Michelle. “Famous Quotes Explained - "The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I change." ~~Carl Rogers — Dimensional Psychotherapy Licensed Psychotherapist / Therapist in New York City, New York.” Dimensional Psychotherapy Licensed Psychotherapist / Therapist in New York City, New York, 12 October 2015, http://www.dimensionalpsychotherapy.com/blog/2015/10/12/famous-quote-break-down-part-1-carl-rogers-the-curious-paradox-is-that-when-i-accept-myself-just-as-i-am-then-i-change. 
• Lubet, Alex. “Tagore, not Dylan: The first lyricist to win the Nobel Prize for literature was actually Indian.” Quartz, 16 October 2016, https://qz.com/india/810668/rabindranath-tagore-not-bob-dylan-the-first-lyricist-to-win-the-nobel-prize-for-literature-was-actually-indian. 
• Miller, Frederic P., et al., editors. Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development. VDM Publishing, 2011. 
• Miller, Frederic P., et al., editors. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: Psychology, Abraham Maslow, Albert Einstein, Jane Addams, Eleanor Roosevelt, Frederick Douglass, Mental Disorder, Neurosis, Clayton Alderfer, John Curtis Gowan, Murray's Psychogenic Needs. Alphascript Publishing, 2010. 
• Rogers, Carl R. “Facilitation of Personal Growth.” The School Counselor, vol. 2, no. 1, 1955. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/45135887. 
• Sharma, Amiya Bhushan. “THREE WOMEN AND THEIR MEN: COMPARING TAGORE’S BIMALA WITH JAMES’S ISABEL AND FORSTER’S LILIA.” The Comparatist, vol. 26, 2002, pp. 17–36. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/44367149. 
• Tagore, Rabindranath. The Home and the World. Edited by William Radice, translated by Surendranath Tagore, Penguin Books Limited, 2005.

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