Analysis of the poem When the Mind is Without fear by Rabindranath Tagore.

Critical analysis and brief summary of the poem "When the Mind is Without Fear by Rabindranath Tagore".

Introduction:

When Mind is Without Fear poem is a part of the anthology Gitanjali (collection of 100 poems).

It is a Patriotic poem in the form of a prayer to god written in 1913 by Noble Laurate Rabindranath Tagore before India's independence. This poem basically represents Tagore's Vision of a new and awakened India. This poem is a plea to god to keep the country safe from wickedness. Tagore wrote the poem while India was still under British rule. It is a prayer to the almighty for a nation free of all manipulation and corruption. This poem is the translated version of Chitto Jetha Bhoyshunno. It is taken from Geetanjali in English as poem 35.

Summary :

             A person who is truly independent should be allowed to think freely without any kind of fear. The lives of people with dignity and without fear bring a healthy life; people should live a life with no fear. The poet suggests a very important aspect of 'Freedom'. He wishes for such a nation where people would have access to free education - as the line suggests, " where the knowledge is free". Adding to it, Tagore seems to suggest imparting free knowledge irrespective of caste, color, culture, gender, and creed shall serve the real meaning of education. Spreading knowledge to the last person in society would be like shaping and moving bricks for the entire development of the nation. Here, the poet prays to God for such a nation that remains undivided, where there is no possibility in the present as well as in the future of partition within the country. The poet's words suggest a country where people only speak the truth in any condition.

Rabindranath Tagore says that countrymen should strive for betterment in all aspects of the human world. A march towards perfection that is decorated with tireless efforts and hard work. The poet requests his deity Ishwar, his Bhagwan, his guide that only parampita can lead such a nation to success. People would be moving toward actions guided by crystal clear thoughts which often yield positive results. Thus, the poet sums up the prayer with the final words that he wishes our country, India should awake and taste the heaven that freedom can bring to us under the guidance of the Almighty.

This poem is basically a prayer to God for India. Rabindranath Tagore as a staunch patriotic man guided by the roots of Indian ethos, spirituality, and philosophical doctrines, requests Bhagwan to spread lights of grace and affection.

and inspire the countrymen in the direction of fearlessness, truth, hard work, and success. He requests a country where education is free for all, where people should move ahead in their personal lives as well as contribute to the nation's development through their hard work. The poet believes that only then India will become a heaven for Indians. The poet clearly seems to suggest that we need traditional, social, civilization, and cultural evolution and education from time to time only then India will awaken into a land where the mind is without fear ....of any kind!!