- Level: International Baccalaureate
- Subject: World Literature
- Word count: 1405
Rabindranath Tagore. The play, The Post Office was written during the year 1911-1914. During this time India was under British control and many Indians wanted to free themselves from British rule and regain their independence.
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Introduction
Grade: IB1 Submitted date: 14/ November/2008 Word Count: 1148 Rabindranath Tagore was born on May 7, 1861 in West Bengal. Not only was he a freedom fighter, he was also a writer and painter. He has written thousands of Poems and about 35 plays and 12 novels. The play, "The Post Office" was written during the year 1911-1914. During this time India was under British control and many Indians wanted to free themselves from British rule and regain their independence. Tagore uses symbolism to express political views. He keeps the character list short, and uses common style of language among the Indian people. The main character is a small boy by the name of Amal. He has a strong curiosity of the outside world, and desires for the type of knowledge that can't be learned from a book. Tagore uses these characters, to show what was happening in India at that time and the way in which the Indian people think and behave. Throughout the play his symbols help to explain the current state of India, and help to form imagery of the past, present and future of the country. Tagore characterizes Amal as young boy, who is sick and can't be let out of the house to experience the world around him or to learn things. ...read more.
Middle
In this story Amal's uncle, Madhav and the Doctor who makes him believe that staying inside will keep him safe. Tagore tries to convey that the only thing keeping the Indian people from staying 'inside' is the higher classes who are Indians convinced that the British rule is effective. Tagore compares and portrays a lot of meanings in this play like the window Amal sits by, Light and Darkness and closed doors and windows. Tagore tries to prove his point that Amal can't see beyond hills from his window and his vision is constrained and limited. Allegorically this could mean that the British doesn't let them believe of what they can achieve and they try to limit them of what the can learn and do. Hence, it seems impossible for Indian people to achieve freedom or to rise to a higher level to become successful. They believe that they can get the 'truth' from books and not what they can see beyond a blur vision. Amal: See that far-away hill from our window- I often long to go beyond those hills and right away. Madhav: Oh, you silly! As if there's nothing more to be done but just get up to the top of that hill and away! ...read more.
Conclusion
"But surely your time will come the moment you strike the gong!" could mean that the watchman doesn't need to worry about his people anymore and that the time he can choose to be what he wants to and can become one among his people. The ending of the play, when Amal goes to sleep this is metaphor that the Indian people only get false promises and they believe that it will happen someday, but the day never arrives and they wait till their last breath in hope. Tagore believes that if the Indian people look beyond what is being told to them, they can achieve and succeed in what they believe in. He implies that they are restricted by an obstacle that they don't wish to cross. While the British are looking for their downfall, the Indian people have no confidence, they are too innocent and gullible and they fall into their trap. Tagore also conveys that the Indian people are looking for supremacy amongst themselves and this way the British are able to secure their place and the Indians themselves aren't able to break free. Some believe they could have had independence awhile ago but others believes there is still time to prove that it is possible to rise to the top. ...read more.
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