The Home and the World
Cover page of English translation
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| Author | Rabindranath Tagore |
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| Original title | ঘরে বাইরে Ghôre Baire' |
| Country | India |
| Language | Bengali |
| Genre | Autobiographical novel |
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Publication date
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1916 |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback) |
The Home and the World' (in the original Bengali, ঘরে বাইরে Ghôre Baire or Ghare Baire, lit. "At home and outside") is a 1916 novel by Rabindranath Tagore. The book illustrates the battle Tagore had with himself, between the ideas of Western culture and revolution against the Western culture. These two ideas are portrayed in two of the main characters, Nikhil, who is rational and opposes violence, and Sandip, who will let nothing stand in his way from reaching his goals. These two opposing ideals are very important in understanding the history of the Bengal region and its contemporary problems.
There is much controversy over whether or not Tagore was attempting to represent Gandhi with Sandip. Many argue that Tagore would not even venture to personify Gandhi in his characters because Tagore was a large admirer of Gandhi. Also, Gandhi was against violence, while Sandip would utilize violence to get what he wanted. The book shows "the clash between new and old, realism and idealism, the means and the end, good and evil" (p xxiv) within India and southern Asia.
The novel was translated into English by the author's nephew, Surendranath Tagore, with input from the author, in 1919.
The novel is set in early 20th century India. The story line coincides with the National Independence Movement taking place in the country at the time, which was sparked by the Indian National Congress. There were various national and regional campaigns with both militant and non-violent ideas which all had the common goal of ending British colonial rule. Militant nationalism had a strong showing in the early part of the 20th century, especially during the World War I period. Some examples of this movement are the Indo-German Pact and the Ghadar Conspiracy, both of which failed.
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