Atithi/Guest

—Rabindranath Tagore

Section A : About the Author

Rabindranath Tagore (1861—1941)started writing at an early age, and his talent was
recognizedby BankimchandraChatterjee,the leading writer of the day. In 1912
he came to England with Gitanjali, an English translation of some of his religious
lyrics. It was acclaimed by W. B. Yeats and later published by Macmillan, leading
directly to his winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913.
Tagore wrote over ninety short stories during his long and rich literary career.
Tagore was specially committed to writing short stories during 1890s, and fifty-
nine stories belong to this period. From 1891to 1895he wrote forty-four—almost
one a month. Why did Tagore—alwaysprimarilya lyric poet—writeso many
short stories at that time? The simplest answer is that the periodicals with which
he was associated, and the readership for those periodicals, demanded them. Most
nineteenth-centuryBengali literature reached its readers initially in the pages of
periodicals. In the 1890s Tagore lived mainly in rural East Bengal, managing family
estates. 1890s was the most fertile decade for Tagore as a short-story writer.
In 1909 he told a questioner:"To begin with I only wrote poetry—I didn't write
stories. One day my father called me and said, 'I want you to take charge of the
estates.' I was astonished: I was a poet—what did I know about such matters? But
Father said, 'Never mind that—I want you to do it.' Father had ordered me, so I
had to go. Being a landlord, I had to go to villages, and thus I came in touch with
village people and their simple modes of life. I enjoyed the surrounding scenery and
the beauty of rural Bengal. The river system of Bengal fascinated me, and I used to
be quite familiar with those rivers." In the story 'Atithi' we see Tagore's familiarity
with the rivers and rural Bengal.
Tagore was a controversial figure at home and abroad: at home because of his
ceaseless innovations in poetry, prose, drama and music; abroad because of the stand
he took against militarism and nationalism.
His works run to thirty-two large volumes. They contain some sixty collections
of verse; novels such as Gora and The Home and the World;experimental plays such
as ThePost Office and Red Oleanders; and essays on a host of religious, social, and
literary topics. He also wrote over 2,000 songs, which have become the cherished
music of Bengal, and include the national anthems of both India and Bangladesh.
 William Radice who translated 'Atithi' into English was
born in 1951 in London.
He has pursued a double career as a poet and as a scholar
and translator of Bengali
and has written or edited nearly thirty books.
The story 'Atithi/Guest' is about Tarapada—awanderer at
to explore the world around him, realms of life that intrigue heart—whois eager
him. He is successful
in whatever he tries his hand at. Being interested in English,
he learns the English
language enthusiastically.
Finally Tarapada—the darling of everyone—is attracted by natural
phenomena,
and goes away to explore another world, breaking all bonds to lead a
life of freedom.

I Section B : Summary I
1
Motilal Babu, a zamindar, was returning to his village Kathaliya by boat. A Brahmin
boy named Tarapada requested if he could be dropped at Nandigram. Impressedby
the pure and natural innocence of the boy he agreed to his request.
Tarapada was a talented boy who could cook and help others in their work. After
bathing in the river, he was called to Motilal Babu's cabin. Annapurna,Motilal
Babu's wife and Charushashi, their daughterwere also there. They had a meal
together; the family was impressed by his conduct. He wasn 't shy, yet he couldn't be
tempted to eat more. Annapurna had many questions in her mind. She was curious
to know why he was away from his mother. Tarapada loved his mother, and she had
many children to take care of.
Tarapada's life and views were completelyoriginal. He was the darling of his
mother, his siblings, and the neighbours. Even his teacher refused to touch him fearing
a backlash from the villagers. One day he joined ajatra-troupe and left the village.
Search parties were sent out and he was brought back. His mother poured out her love
and tears, but the spirit in him longed to be free and explore the world. Thus, he was
away again out In the world; slowly the family and the villagers gave up on him.
He joined ajatra-troupe again and became a performer. The master of the troupe,
the members and even the audience of their performanceswere very fond of him•
Tarapada refused to be very close to anyone, so he left thejatra-troupe suddenly
Soon after he joined a group of Panchali-singers, I-le learned songs and felt like a
caged bird and disappeared,Then he joined a group of gymnasts from Calcutta.
He played flute while the gymnasts performed. Ile left the gymnasts and when he
was planning to go to Nandigram where he heard of an amateurjatra-group that he
happened to meet Motilal Babu.
11

Motilal Babu offered him to take him along with him and drop him at Nandigram.
The couple was so impressed by Tarapada's behaviour and actions. He didn't like
questions about his family or anyone trying to get too close to him. He got to know
the helmsman and oarsmen and helped them in their duties. Annapurna's hospitality
didn't know any bounds, but he remained indifferent to the family's special attention
towards him. As the days passed, he got involved in almost everything that interested
him, and he was very active in interacting with the people on the boat.
One evening Motilal Babu was reading Ramayana to his wife and daughter.
Tarapada volunteered to sing apanchali song about Kush and Lav story. Everyone
on the boat and people on the bank of the river as the boat passed by listened to the
song and enjoyed it. Annapurna wanted to embrace him, Motilal Babu wished him
to be his son and the little girl Charushashi was filled with jealousy.
111

Charushashi was the only child of Motilal Babu. She was very obstinate and wilful;
she threw temper tantrum whenever anything displeased her. Whenever she was in
a good mood, she showed excessive love for her mother in an unbalanced way. She
was a puzzle for her parents. The arrival of Tarapada caused an increased animosity
in her and her parents had to put up with her increased tantrums.
Annapurna cleverly avoided showing any affection for Tarapada in Charu's
presence to avoid any heart burn. When Charu went to sleep, Annapurnawould
ask the boy to sing. His song led her to a trance and her heart swelled with love and
appreciation. Finding out that her parents sent her to bed to listen to Tarapada was
an unbearable feeling for her. She didn't hesitate to let them know that.
he
The cool tempered Tarapada was fascinated by the fiery black-eyed girl, and
her.
tried to win her over by his songs, stories, and flute recital, but nothing impressed

Motilal Babu and family reached their village Kathaliya after ten days. Tarapada
didn't get down at Nandigram though it was on the way. When he landed on the
either
village he went around and interacted freely with the people. The people were
a flair
brothers or sisters, uncles, or aunts for him. As he was a newcomer and he had
a shop
for socializing, he won the hearts of all within a few days. Ile could replace
 I. Atithi/Guest

keeper in a shop smoothly for a short while, he could make sweets

or turn a potter's
wheel. He knew something about weaving as well. He was
successful with everyone
in the village except Charu.
Charu's playmate Bamunthakrun's daughter Sonamani who
was widowed at the
age of five was
impressed by the boy. He played kirtan-tuneson his flute
mother and daughter, made a bamboo flute, picked fruits and
for the
flowers from thorny
bushes for Sonamani. Charu wondered at Tarapada meeting Sonamani
before she
could introduce him to her playmate. She wanted to gain the
glory of bringing the boy
to the village and even expected Sonamani to admire him but
keep distance from him.
Envy and jealousy on the one hand, feeling pride and taking credit
for bringing in a
talented Brahmin boy to the village by her family and taking care of
him on the other,
was a complex possessive mixture of feelings that Charushashi's mind
came up with.
Charu walked into Tarapada's room and smashed his flute. He found her
behaviour
inexplicable and absurd and burst out laughing. With every day that passed,
Charu
became more of a mystery to him.
The boy got interested in the English books in Motilal Babu's library. He showed
his eagerness to learn English. Motilal Babu arranged the village school headmaster
Ramratan Babu to teach Tarapada English.

Tarapada's English lessons made him change his daily [Link] stoppedhis
frequent village visits and local people didn't see him [Link] visited the
riverside in late evenings to recite his lessons. Earlier he used to eat with the family,
now he requested for his food to be brought outside so that there was less break in
his studies. Though Annapurna opposed the move, Motilal Babu accepted it and
appreciated his keenness to learn English.
As English became the focus, Charu also expressed her desire to learn English.
After much debate Charu started her lessons along with Tarapadawith the same
tutor. She didn't learn much, but disrupted Tarapada's learning. When he moved
on to new books, she insisted on getting the same books though she was far from
finishing her previous lessons. He focused on his lessons during his free time,
whereas the jealous girl couldn't progress in her studies and indulged in tearing
pages of his books, pouring ink on his exercise-books, and irritating him as much
as possible. Tarapada took her wayward behaviour in his stride and was amused by
her behaviour. When her actions crossed the limits, she was prepared for a beating
from the boy, but mostly he remained silent and in great control. She expected
forgiveness, but never learnt how to ask for it. Though she did many things to attract
his attention, she failed miserably; Tarapada was the master of the occasion by his
exemplary tact and responses.
Sonamani at times waited for Tarapada in front of his room after ensuring that
Charu was at the women's quarters. She complained that he hadn't been to their
house to meet them for a long time. Charu sometimes appeared from nowhere
causing Sonamani discomfort and Charu admonishing her for disturbing their
studies. Sonamani fumbled for explanations to justify her presence there. When one
day Tarapada promised to visit Sonamani's mother, Charu questioned him how he
could go ignoring his studies. She threatened to complain to his teacher. Such was
the venomous and hideous mind of Charu.
Tarapada visited Bamunthakrun's house a couple of evenings which made the
mother and daughter so happy. When Charu found that Tarapada didn't behave as
she wished, she resorted to extreme measures like locking him inside his room. He
remained silent and at times refused to eat which drove her to the other extreme by
pleading with him to eat and promising not to do such things again.

Tarapada's amazing life at Motilal Babu's family and Kathaliya village went on for
two years. He never stayed at a place that long. Many factors like changing attitude
as he grew up, opportunity for his studies, comfortable life with the family and the
companionship of his English classmate and the Kathaliya village in general must
have played their role.
As Charu reached marriageable age Motilal Babu family moved with marriage
proposals. Knowing Charu's heart, Annapurna suggested Tarapada as the ideal boy
for her. Though Motilal Babu rejected the idea at first, he fell back on that option
when the humiliating scene created by Charu when she refused to meet a group
of elders who came to meet the girl. Motilal Babu started to ponder that Tarapada
was Indeed a suitable match for her daughter. He sent out people to find out about
Tarapada's family When he found that the family was poor but of high caste, he
settled on the boy as his daughter's life partnen Being cautious by nature Motilal
Babu made marriage arrangements secretly,
Tarapada's English study made him more interested in exploring 1MotiIaI'slibrary
and the illustrated books. Ile couldn't any more laugh at Charu's strange behaviour
or 'beat her, some powerful feeling of attraction dawned on hitn.
 night Tarapada went to the ghats and saw the exciting preparations
One moonlit merry-go-rounds,jatra-troupes, an orchestra
The boats with
of the chariot festival.
and the surrounding excitement took him to the joy of his earlier days.
from Calcutta
chariot-festival for Tarapada.
The whole world seemed to be
family was moving closer
KeepingTarapadain the dark, the Motilal Babu's village in the
family arrived at Kathaliya
to the marriage preparations; Tarapada's
some mango juice preserve in
[Link] outside his room with
Before the festivities
paper and pickle wrapped in a leaf waiting for Tarapada.
the hope and centre of
could begin, the enchanter of the hearts of many, Tarapada,
attraction of many disappeared, leaving many heartbroken.

Section c : Setting I
The story is set in rural Bengal where Tagore came in touch with village people
and their simple modes of life. The river system of Bengal which fascinated Tagore
is the setting at the beginning of the story. A long boat journey of Motilal Babu's
family stopping at night at villages and journeying during the day, along with the
descriptionof the scenery, sound, and colour at day and night, vividly adds to the
reader's imagination. The grand reception at Kathaliya and the village life of rural
Bengal is the ideal setting for the action of the story to take place.

I Section D : Themes 1
Idea of freedom and bondage
This is an imaginary journey of a spirit detached and free—that develops no
attachmentson the way in a world that wants to put it in bonds. Tarapada's life
is a flow—a constant onward movement which will not be detained at any stage.
He is an Atithi, a guest who cannot be tied down to a place, a person, or a system.
He in his quest for the world, runs away again and again when he finds that his
freedom is curtailed. Tarapada, as restless as a fawn, will fall into a trap, the trap of
the worldly [Link] Tarapadain bondage only to free him at the end.
Obviously,the taste of bondage is a prerequisite for enjoying the taste of freedom.
He runs away from home; he runs away fromjatra-troupe, panchali-singers, and
the gymnasts, all due to his feeling that they were trying to tie him down. After two
long years of comfortablestay with Motilal Babu, he disappears when he
finds his
freedom is curtailed.
 Tagore shows in the story how humans entangle themselvesinto ties without
being aware of it and the pain of separationfollows. Tarapada,to some extent,
resembles the ascetics. His characteristic detachmentwith the material world and
sense of being in union with the natural world remind us of an ascetic. Tarapada has
willingly come as a guest to the zamindar's place where after two years of his stay,
he is attracted by some other excitementand lets the shackles of the family go off
and moves on for new adventures in life. Tarapada's soul extols the freedom that the
human spirit yearns for.
Atithi / Guest
Life on earth is a short one; in a short time, there is a lot to see and know in this
vast world. Many mortals settle down in a place and time as if they are permanent
residents here. Tarapada isn't satisfied enough to lead such a life with his loving
mother and his siblings and the surroundings. He doesn't even pause his wandering
life whenever great opportunities come his way. He believes that he is a guest (atithi)
in this world. A guest doesn't stay on at a place for long. It is in the nature of the
guest to move on. Tarapada literally plays a guest and reminds us that in this world
we are guests who must move on.
Journey of human soul and Nature
It results in a mix of tremendousjoy at times and the contrary emotions of gloom
and sorrow at other times. Tarapada neither stays permanently in one place nor
brings himself into close relationships for long.
Tarapada lives more in the real world of nature than in the human. Therefore, he
and
is far more apt to perceive what is there rather than his own wishes, hopes, fears
anxieties. As the boat passes by, Tarapada feels a strong emotional tie binding him
closely with the water, land, and the horizon as if they are his close relatives.
Beauty of human relations and village life
We see strong human relations and equally strong bonding in the village life.
Tarapada's family and villagers equally loved him. Wherever he went the goodness
see in
in him won people over to him. That is goodness in human nature which we
family and in village communities. As we follow Tarapada, we see a very appreciative
group of people around him. Everyone admires him for what he is and what he does.
He could substitute a shopkeeper in his shop for a while, he could make children
happy by plucking flowers and fruits and playing with them, All love such bonding;
it is ideal to develop such skills in interpersonal and social life,
 Section G : Critical Appreciation
Tagore's story titled Atithi (meaning guest), offers readers of all ages and both sexes
engrossing reading. The mysterious, loving and lovable flautist called Tarapada, the
enigma named Charu , Motilal Babu, the serious-faced and equally serious-minded
zamindar of Kathaliya, Annapurna the doting mother of Charu who has all the
qualities ofthe proverbial mother-hen ' *, Sonamani, the young and charming widow—
all these characters have been portrayed by Tagore in an amazingly realistic way.
Tarapada has been portrayed as a many-sided genius—flautist,vocalist, excellent
oarsman and tiller. In addition to his talents, he is a gentle and kind young man,
ready to offer a helping hand, irrespective of who needs it. Though loved and adored
by everyone he comes into contact with, he seems to love a nomadic life. From the
age of about eight he has been leading such a life, wandering freely and absorbing
like a sponge all that mother nature offered him. Charu is a typical example of a
young girl who has been thoroughly spoilt by her doting parents. One moment she
is a fierce young girl, spitting venom and the very next she is an over-affectionate
child, kissing and hugging her mother. She is extremely jealous of Tarapada, not
wanting to admire his various skills and talents. Her jealousy reaches its zenith
when Tarapada is having English lessons and shows his affection to Sonomani and
her parents. Her spilling ink all over Tarapada's English exercise book is a textbook
example' ** of one burning with jealousy.
Annapurna is a typical over-protective Indian mother, getting Tarapada sweets
and milk ostentatiouslyand secretlywishing to have him as her [Link]
entire story (includingits Bengali title) is Indian. The names (both of people and
of places) are unmistakablyIndian, though a bit outdated perhaps. The customs
of people described in the story (showing an over-protective attitude towards
youngsters, becoming concerned about a girl's maneiage when she reaches the age of
ten or eleven, parents organizing their offspring's mamages even without consulting
them (and even without their knowledge). The bridegroom's family wanting to "look
at" the would-be bride (before giving their nod for their wedding) all smack of India.
The language used by the author throughout the charming story is lucid and simple.
To conclude, Tagore's Atithi is an incredibly charming story. After reading the
story, the reader feels like exclaiming "Wow! What a story and what characteriza-
tion!" No wonder Tagore was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature!
•mother-hen—a wojnan who likes to care and protect hec children and who worrtes about them a lot.
textbook example—a clear example Ofa certain type of situation or event,
 Lyrical quality of language and imagery
The story is lyrical because of its inherent poetic nature. This poetic nature is created
by its lack of dialogues and its emphasis on one theme—the theme of freedom. It
reads like a long narrative poem written in prose which is the unique style of the
great master. The narrator introduces the characters and narrates what is gomg on
inside their minds.
The author's narratorial intervention tells us when Charu isjealous, when Sonamani
is afraid, when Motilal Babu is happy and when Tarapada feels caged and bound In
metaphorical chains. The sense of freedom is conveyed by the narrator with the help
of rustic and poetic images. With such exquisite narration, we never feel the need for
dialogues. In the story we hear only the voice of the narrator,and it reigns supreme.
Imagery
The story has plenty of visual and auditory images, metaphors and similes. The
vivid imagery provides the story its strength and appeal. The sound and colours,
movement and stillness add to the beauty of the story.
"Slopingpastures, floodedjute-fields, green, rippling late-autumnpaddy, narrow
paths leadingfrom the ghats, and villages shaded by encirclingfoliage, came one by
one into view." (p. 128)
"as duskfell, a stream of laughter,pathos and music spread through the evening
air: the banks become alert, and people in passing boats were lured for a moment
and strained their ears to listen. " (p. 129)
Then cloudsfrom the east covered the moon with their huge black sails; an
east wind blew sharply; cloud after cloud rolled by; the river gushed and swelled,
darkness thickened in the swaying riverside trees;frogs croaked; crickets rasped
like wood saws. (p. 139)
"wheels turning, flags flying, earth trembling, clouds swirling, wind rushing,
river flowing, boats sailing, songs rising! There were rumbles of thunder, and
slashes of lightning in the sky: the smell of torrential rain approached from the
dark
distance. " (p. 139)
Symbols
Tarapada would not accept ties, even ties of love: his stars had
made him a wanderer
After he had run away two or three times, the family
and villagers gave up hope Of
him. It symbolizes the untameable wander-thirst of
Tarapada.
Deer is very fond of music, Deer also symbolizes
the fleeting moments. From
Tagore's narration we come to know that Tarapada
can play flute very well. Like a
deer, he is also very fond of music. I le regularly visits the yatras in the neighbouring
villages. The use of the deer image also anticipates bonding. It anticipates that
Tarapada, as restless as a fawn, will fall into a trap, the trap of samsara. Tagore puts
Tarapada in bondage only to free him at the end.
Nature that surrounds us is serene and detached, so is Tarapada. (Nature is
personified and is a symbol also). I le is callu and detached; when someone tries to
get closer to him, he moves away.
"There were rumbles of thunder, and slashes o/'lightning in the sky: the sntell of
torrential rain approachedfronj the dark distance. But Kathaliya village next to the
river ignored all this: she s/ltlt her doors, turned out her lamps and went to sleep.
(p. 139) These changes in nature are shown as symbolic of the impending tragedy.

I Section I-I: Characters of the Story

Tarapada
Tarapada signifies life. He is a complete original; his unconventionalityis not
external but internal, essential, and [Link] passion for Nature, love for
human beings, celebration of humanity, perception of beauty makes his life full of
excitement and joy. Tarapada stops nowhere; his aim is to move on. Ile is like an
ever-flowing river, flowing continuously. Relationship with the unknown seems to
be the only stable relationship that he can maintain.
Tarapadahas been constantly intriguedby the beauty and bounty of nature. In
fact, it can be said that he himself becomes one and unified with Nature. He is in
pursuit of knowledge and has zeal to learn and explore the world. His desire to
wander compels him to repeatedly run away from home leaving his family and
villagers in despair.
Both Motilal Babu and his wife Annapurna show great concern for this boy.
Specially, Annapurna takes great care to feed him and inquires about his whereabouts.
Both the husband and the wife are really impressed by him and start loving him
like their son. Ilowever, the boy's detachment from her maternal atreetion evokes a
sense of despair in her,
His natural virtues, innocence and spontaneity attract the zammdar and his wife.
His pleasant voice and charming presence cast a sweet spell on everyone except their
envious daughter Charushashi who falls to endure Tarapada out of sheer jealousy.
Tarapada settles with the zamindar family in their village for two years and
wins the hearts of the villagers by his charisjna and his charming interaction with
 lead to no solutions. Tarapada,
others. Chatmshashi'snever ending erratic tantrums
Tarapada's Visit to Sonamani'%
the master in building relations fails to tame Charu.
to be the sole claimant
house further strains the relations with Charu. Charu wishes
of accepting
of Tarapada•sattention and [Link] possesses the attribute
we sec,
himself as well as the shortcomings of others without complaint. Therefore,
what
in the face of extreme provocations,his reactions to Charu are different from
is expected frotn a boy of his age.
Quite contradictoryto his nature, Tarapada stays at the zamindar's house
almost for two years. is engrossed in his academic endeavour and derives JOY
in exploring the English language. Ile is self-motivated and focused on any task
that he undertakes. Thus goes the charming life that Tarapada defines for himself.
When he thinks of a bond that has a permanent nature, he simply fades into the great
impersonal universe never to return. The day before the wedding night the monsoon
clouds grumbled. Tarapada disappeared again leaving all the love, comforts and
belongings behind. Tarapada is a character who everyone loves to interact with for
the purpose of sheer joy.
Charushashi
We come across Charushashiat the end of the part Il of the story. The feelings of
Annapurna and Motilal Babu towards Tarapada are expressed in glowing terms and
in contrast to this we are told that Charushashi"was full of envy and jealousy".
Being the only child of the zamindar family she is the only claimant for the love and
attention of her parents. She has seen her parents showering much care and concern
on the newcomerthat irritatesher and fills with jealousy. When someone is young,
there is a natural tendency to show jealousy openly. She is wilful and obstinate;
she has her own opinion about food, clothes and hair-style. But the
strange thing is
that there is no consistency in her opinion which multiplies the
trouble for her and
others.
Her parents' affection for Tarapada agonizes her, thus
making her more hostile
towards him. Annapurna realizes her daughter's
jealousy and she cleverly stops
showing her affection overtly* for Tarapada in
her presence. Iler good mood brings
out the best in her like show of excessive
love for her mother, hugging her,
in an unbalanced way, It shows that she laughing
goes to the extremes, and therefore
puzzle for people. she is a
She is not willing to admit there
is any virtue in Tarapada at all,
appreciationthat comes from despite all the
everyone who is in touch with
overtly — openly him. The more he is
praised by others, 'the more critical she The boy is fascinated by her natural
fietveness, and tries to win her over by 'telling stories, playing flute and singing
songs. Though there is obvious jealousy towards him, her interest is aroused when
she sees him bathe in the river. But, being a good actress, she masks her interest and
continues her knitting in a nonchalant manner.
Charu IS keen to impress her friend Sonamani by presenting Tarapada in front
of her. When she realizes that he had already visited her and is familiar with her
mother also, her attitude towards Sonamani [Link] believes that the people of
Kathaliya can enjoy his beauty and talents from a distance 'but the credit for bringing
him to the village remains with her and her family.
Tarapada tries different ways to please the jealous spirit of Charu. Even when he
realizes that she has crossed her limits and expects beatings from him, his cool and
measured response puts her off. She doesn't know how to ask for forgiveness. Her
insistence on learning English with him leads to more jealousy and expression of it
in different ways. The remarkable ways that he deals with her antics doesn't solve
the problems, it increases as she remains stubborn. Possibly he stays with the family
because he is keen to fathom the little girl more. But he fails to unravel the mystery
within the girl's psyche. He leaves her after making a concerted effort to win her
over. That is the tragedy of Charushashi.
Motilal Babu
Motilal Babu appears as a gracious zamindar, cultured, helpful, a man of different
tastes and education. He is warm as he welcomes Tarapada to meals and later invites
him to his cabin. He is a religious person as we see him reading Ramayana to his
family on the boat.
On his arrival at his village Kathaliya, ponies, palanquins and guard of honour
give us the impression that he is an honoured zamindar and people respect him.
He observes that Tarapada is keen to read English books and soon engages a tutor
for him. His library collection shows his interests and qualities. He agrees with
Tarapada for shifting his meals from the women's quarters despite Annapurna's
objections. That shows his appreciation and support for the boy's effort to learn.
Ile accepts and follows social norms. When Charu reaches ruarriageable age he
restricts her from going out and studying English. All these things show that he is
a decisive rnan,
Ile reasons with Annapurna when she puts forward Tarapada as a suitable boy for
Charu. When he realizes the benefits that flow from such an arrangetnent he sends
someone to inquire about the boy's family and, ultimately, agrees to the proposal.
That shows he is progressive and willing for compromises for practical advantages.
We see him as a respectable zamindar for the people, a man of tastes and dignity
anyone who comes across him. We see him as a naturally cautious person who tend;
to keep everything a secret which turned to be the cause of his undoing.
Annapurna
We find Annapurna as a warm host, affectionate mother showing care and concern
for everyone she comes across. The mother in her is curious to know if Tarapada's
mother loved him. She treats him as her son and persuades her daughter to have
good relations with him. She puts up with her daughter's tantrums and manages
to keep a balance between her daughter and [Link] cleverly withdraws
showing affection or praising the boy in the presence of Charu. She loves the songs
of Tarapada and urges him to sing while on her boat trip.
We don't see her after the boat trip. When the marriage of their daughter is
discussed, she suggests that Tarapada is the right boy for her, and she affirms that
Charu likes him. This shows the keen observation of a mother, and she is concerned
about the deeper feeling than the outward expression of jealousy and envy that the
story focuses on. She doesn't waver on her views, and is able to bring Motilal
Babu
around her views. That shows she is a practical woman with a deep sense of reading
human minds. Annapurna has a supportive husband, and she is able to get her views
across to him.