Poems by Toru Dutt (Lakshman), Sri Aurobindo (To a Hero-Worshipper), R. Tagore (Dino Daan)

 Poems by Toru Dutt (Lakshman), Sri Aurobindo (To a Hero-Worshipper), R. Tagore (Dino Daan)

Hello viewer!

I am Maya Batiya, A student of M.A. sem 3 in Department of English MKBU.

Thinking Activity 💬

This blog is part of thinking activity of Poems by Toru Dutt (Lakshman), Sri Aurobindo (To a Hero-Worshipper), R. Tagore (Dino Daan). 

_ Assigned by Megha ma'am. 

1) Write a critical note on Lakshman by Toru Dutt.

Ans :

∆∆ About Toru Dutt :

Toru Dutt or Tarulatha Dutt was an Indian poet born in the Bengal province in 1856 to the well-known Rambagan Dutt family. As the youngest child of Govin Chandra Dutt and Kshetramoni Mitter, Toru belonged to a family of writers. Her father Govind Chunder Dutt, who was an employee of the Government of India, was a linguist and also published some poems. Her mother, Kshetramoni Mitter, was a woman who loved Hindu mythology and translated the book The Blood of Christ into Bengali. Because of her father’s governmental employment, the family traveled frequently.

In 1862, her family embraced Christianity and was baptized. Toru was only six at the time, and this was a major event in her life. Though she remained a devout Christian all her life, the Hindu system of belief never lost its sheen with her, and its influence can be seen in most of her works. After being met with social rejection and isolation as a result of their conversion to Christianity, Toru Dutt's family moved to Mumbai for a year. Upon returning in 1864 to their home of Calcutta, Toru's brother Abju died of consumption.

Her family moved to France in 1869, following the death of her brother Abju. In France, she was educated in language, history, and the arts. Toru, along with her sister Aru, mastered the French language during their short stay in France. This fascination with the French language and culture would be sustained through Toru's life, and her favorite authors were the French writers Victor Hugo and Pierre-Jean de Béranger.

Toru Dutt’s poem Lakshman is a powerful retelling of a pivotal moment from the Indian epic Ramayana, where Lakshman, the younger brother of Lord Rama, is faced with a moral dilemma. The poem focuses on the moment when Sita, left alone in the forest, hears a cry of distress from Rama and implores Lakshman to leave her side to rescue him.

∆∆ Thematic Exploration

Dutt's Lakshman delves deep into themes of duty, loyalty, and the internal conflicts that arise from human emotions. Lakshman is torn between his duty to his brother Rama, who asked him to protect Sita, and his compassion for Sita, who is desperate and terrified at the thought of her husband's peril. This emotional conflict is the crux of the poem, and Dutt beautifully captures Lakshman’s hesitation and struggle.

The poem also highlights the vulnerability of Sita, portraying her not as a passive figure but as a woman of strong emotions who, in her fear for Rama's safety, lashes out at Lakshman. Her accusations and suspicions that Lakshman harbors feelings for her add another layer of emotional intensity, showing how fear can distort judgment and lead to misunderstandings.

∆∆Characterization and Psychological Depth

One of the notable aspects of Dutt’s portrayal is the psychological depth she gives to Lakshman. In the Ramayana, Lakshman is often seen as the epitome of loyalty and obedience, but Dutt’s poem brings out his human side, emphasizing his emotional turmoil. His inner conflict is palpable, as he is caught between his vow to protect Sita and his obedience to Rama. This adds a layer of realism to the epic hero, making him relatable and human rather than simply a mythic figure.

Sita’s portrayal is also significant. Dutt doesn’t reduce her to a victim; instead, she is presented as a woman who, in a moment of extreme fear and desperation, challenges the loyalty of those around her. Her forceful accusations toward Lakshman reflect her intense concern for Rama, showing her as a dynamic character with a strong emotional core.

∆∆Language and Structure

The poem’s language is formal, reflective of the high stakes of the situation, but it also carries a lyrical quality that is typical of Dutt’s work. The dialogue between Sita and Lakshman is imbued with intensity, each line building upon the other to create a sense of growing tension. Dutt skillfully uses this tension to build the emotional weight of the poem, leading to Lakshman’s reluctant decision to leave Sita and follow Rama’s cry.

∆∆Cultural and Feminist Reading

From a feminist perspective, Lakshman can be read as an exploration of Sita’s limited agency within the patriarchal framework of the epic. Though she speaks passionately, she is still dependent on the actions of the men around her, with her fate ultimately shaped by their decisions. Dutt's portrayal subtly critiques this, presenting Sita as a woman who, while strong in her emotions, is constrained by the roles and expectations imposed on her.

∆∆Conclusion

Toru Dutt’s Lakshman is a profound exploration of duty, emotion, and moral conflict, drawing on the rich tradition of Indian epics while giving it a modern, psychological depth. By focusing on Lakshman’s internal struggle and Sita’s emotional strength, Dutt transforms a mythic episode into a deeply human story, offering a fresh and nuanced perspective on an ancient narrative.

2) Can it be said that the dialogues between Sita and Lakshman in the poem Lakshman through light upon the perspective of gender? Explain.

Ans :

Yes, the dialogues between Sita and Lakshman in Toru Dutt’s poem Lakshman certainly shed light on the perspective of gender, particularly in terms of the roles, expectations, and dynamics between men and women in traditional patriarchal societies.

1. Sita’s Vulnerability and Emotional Outburst

Sita’s emotional outburst in the poem underscores her position as a woman who is dependent on the protection of the men around her first Rama, and now Lakshman. When she hears what she believes to be Rama’s cries for help, she pleads with Lakshman to leave her and go to his aid. Her desperation reflects the deep concern she has for her husband but also highlights the limited agency she holds as a woman in this situation. She is unable to act for herself, forced instead to rely on the men for her safety and well-being.

When Lakshman refuses to leave her initially, citing his duty to protect her, Sita’s frustration turns to anger, and she accuses Lakshman of harboring impure intentions toward her. This is a key moment in the poem, where Sita’s fear and anxiety manifest in accusations that, while ungrounded, reveal the tension in their relationship as defined by gender roles. In her moment of vulnerability, Sita challenges Lakshman’s loyalty, implying that his motives are not purely selfless but are possibly driven by desire for her.

2. Lakshman’s Position of Duty and Control

On the other hand, Lakshman’s role in the dialogue reflects the typical expectations placed on men as protectors and decision-makers. He is bound by his duty to Rama to protect Sita at all costs, and he initially resists Sita’s demands, as he believes it is more important to obey his brother than to leave her unguarded. In this sense, Lakshman occupies a position of power and control—he decides what is best for Sita, even against her will.

However, the poem also reveals how this power comes with its own constraints. Lakshman is not free to act on his emotions; he must adhere to the strict codes of duty imposed on him. The tension between his protective role and Sita’s demands places him in a difficult position, where he must choose between loyalty to his brother and compassion for Sita’s fears.

3. Gender Expectations and the Power Dynamic

The dialogue between Sita and Lakshman reveals the inherent power dynamics of the time, where women like Sita were seen as dependent on the guidance and protection of men. Sita’s accusation that Lakshman desires her reflects the underlying suspicion that women, especially within the confines of patriarchal societies, could easily be reduced to objects of male desire, their identities shaped largely by their relationships to men.

At the same time, Sita’s fierce demand for Lakshman to leave her and go to Rama reveals a moment of agency. Though bound by the patriarchal structure of her society, she asserts her own will and challenges Lakshman’s authority. Her emotional appeal ultimately breaks down his resistance, forcing him to leave. This moment of conflict emphasizes how gender expectations create tension between men and women, with women often needing to navigate the constraints placed on them to assert themselves, while men are pressured to fulfill roles of control and duty.

4. A Feminist Perspective

From a feminist perspective, the dialogue between Sita and Lakshman can be seen as a critique of the way gender roles are constructed and maintained. Sita’s accusations may appear harsh or unreasonable at first, but they reveal the deep-seated frustrations of a woman caught in a patriarchal system where her autonomy is limited. Her outburst challenges Lakshman’s authority and the assumption that men always know what is best for women.

The poem thus subtly critiques the societal expectations that confine both men and women. Lakshman, despite his authority, is also trapped by the rigid code of conduct expected of him. He cannot follow his own instincts because of his obligations to his brother, just as Sita cannot act independently without male protection. This mutual entrapment in prescribed gender roles is a central theme of the poem.

∆∆Conclusion

The dialogues between Sita and Lakshman in Lakshman offer a nuanced exploration of gender roles and power dynamics. Sita’s emotional pleas and accusations expose the vulnerability of women in a patriarchal society, while Lakshman’s hesitation reflects the pressures men face to uphold traditional roles of duty and control. Through their interaction, Toru Dutt highlights the complexity of gendered expectations, and the poem can be read as both a reflection of and a critique of these societal norms.

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