Gora (novel)

Gora (Bengali: গোরা) is a novel by Rabindranath Tagore, set in Calcutta (now Kolkata), in the 1880s during the British Raj. It is the fifth in order of writing and the longest of Tagore's twelve novels. It is rich in philosophical debate on politics and religion. Other themes include liberation, universalism, brotherhood, gender, feminism, caste, class, tradition versus modernity, urban elite versus rural peasants, colonial rule, nationalism and the Brahmo Samaj.
The novel is the longest novel written by Tagore. It deeply influences the Indian society and emerged as a debate between Brahmo Samaj and Hinduism.
Gora consists of two parallel love stories of two pairs of lovers: Gora and Sucharita, Binoy and Lolita. Their emotional development is shown in the background of the social and political problems prevalent in India towards the end of the 19th-century.
The story mainly revolves around its protagonist, Gormohan alias 'Gora', a ‌staunch Hindu Brahmin. Gora is a young man with a well-built body, good stature, white complexion, and a heavy voice. Because of his physique, he is the head of his circle of friends. Despite not being handsome, Gora is considered attractive because of his heavy speech and high stature. Gora's best friend is Binoybhushan aka Binoy. Binoy is a friendly and handsome young man. He has a special affection for Gora's mother Anandamayi, and regards Anandamayi as his mother as he was orphaned as a child. One day Binoy meets a Brahmo Samaji Paresh Babu and his daughter Sucharita when their wagon crashes outside Binoy's house. Binoy helps them, and starts visiting their house. And then Binoy is introduced to Paresh Babu, his wife Varadasundari, his eldest daughter Lavanya, middle daughter Lalita, and younger daughter Leela. Along with them, he is introduced to Sucharita, the adopted daughter of Paresh Babu, and Satish, Sucharita's real brother. At the time of the story there is an ongoing conflict between the Brahmo Samaj and Hinduism; as Gora is a staunch Hindu who believes in untouchability, he forbids Binoy to meet Paresh Babu and his family. This leads to an argument between the two. Gora accuses Binoy of being attracted to Paresh Babu's daughter, but Binoy denies this. Gora's father Krishnadayal, a good friend of Paresh Babu, one day urges Gora to visit Paresh Babu's house to inquire about his well being. When Gora goes there, Binoy is already present, disappointing and angering Gora. There, Gora is introduced to Haran alias Panu Babu, who is Bengali but has special affection for the British. Haran Babu is a special head of the Brahmo Samaj, and is going to marry Sucharita. Due to Gora's being Hindu, he does not get the same respect at Paresh Babu's house as Binoy did. He gets into an argument with Haran Babu. Sucharita, who earlier saw Gora as inferior because of his fanaticism, supports Gora by not supporting Haran Babu in the debate. Gora is then very angry with Binoy, but due to his special affection for him cannot leave him.
Later, Gora has to go to Paresh Babu's house once again, where Gora's love for Sucharita awakens; Sucharita reciprocates those feelings. Gora, who has sworn that he will never marry, feels deeply guilty about this and immediately sets off on an unknown journey. Varadasundari gets along well with Magistrate Brownlow, and she chooses Binoy and Lalita to star in a show at his house. Gora travels to a village which is haunted by the atrocities of the magistrate and the superintendent. He vows to bring justice to the village and rebels against the magistrate. Enraged by this, the magistrates send Gora to jail for a month without trial for any crime. Hearing this, Lalita, who cannot tolerate injustice, is enraged. Due to this she comes home overnight on a steamer with Binoy. The steamer incident — that a Brahmo girl has come alone with a Hindu boy at night — stirs up the Brahmo Samaj. Lalita becomes notorious, so Varadasundari blames Binoy. Binoy agrees to join the Brahmo Samaj under societal pressure, but Gora objects to it, with Lalita also forbidding Binoy from doing so. Meanwhile, Sucharita's widowed maternal aunt, Harimohini, visits Poresh's house and her being a Hindu arises conflict between her and Poresh's wife, Varadasundari. Seeing this conflict, Poresh reveals to Sucharita that she had her own house in the neighbourhood which he bought from Sucharita's father's savings. Sucharita and Harimohini move into the house.
After being released from prison, Gora starts visiting Sucharita's house. Harimohini, who is suspicious of Gora's intention, wants Sucharita to marry her relative, Kailash. Sucharita doesn't accept it and accepts Gora as her guru. Meanwhile, Binoy and Lalita get married with resistance from Varadasundari, Gora, and Binoy's relatives.
When one day, when Krishnadayal falls ill, he informs Gora of the truth about his origins. He explains that Gora is not actually his son, but the son of a Christian Irishman. They had met when he lived in Etawah; when war broke out there, Gora's military father was killed. Gora's mother was dependent on Krishnadayal's goodwill and gave birth to Gora in his house, dying in the process. Krishnadayal has raised him since. In that one moment, Gora's whole life is destroyed, the religion for which he sacrificed his whole life having rejected him. Eventually, Gora accepts Paresh Babu as his guru, after drinking water from Lachmiya's hand.
The theme of Gora, revolves around nationalism, identity, and social reform. It explores the clash between traditional Hindu customs and modern ideas, reflecting the complexities of India during the colonial era. The protagonist, Gora, grapples with questions of identity and cultural belonging, making the novel a profound exploration of self-discovery and societal transformation. In Gora, Rabindranath Tagore also delves into the theme of religious tolerance and the power of love in bridging cultural divides. The novel portrays the characters' struggles with the changing social dynamics and how they navigate their personal beliefs while engaging with broader societal issues. It emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and open-mindedness in addressing the challenges of a rapidly changing world. Throughout the story, Tagore weaves a tapestry of diverse perspectives and ideologies, showcasing the richness of India's cultural heritage. He presents a vivid picture of the social, political, and religious landscape of the time, raising essential questions about unity, diversity, and the role of individuals in shaping their communities. As Gora grapples with his own identity and tries to reconcile his traditional upbringing with modern ideas, the novel serves as a reflection on the complex interplay between tradition and progress. The exploration of gender roles and the empowerment of women is another prominent aspect of the novel, shedding light on the importance of gender equality and women's agency. Ultimately, Gora is a thought-provoking and deeply philosophical work that transcends time and continues to resonate with readers as they contemplate the intricate relationships between tradition, nationalism, and the human quest for understanding and growth.
Gora is considered one of his most significant works in Bengali literature. It received widespread critical acclaim for its insightful exploration of social and political issues during the colonial era in India. The novel was first published in 1910 and quickly gained recognition for its thought-provoking narrative and powerful storytelling. Tagore's Uportrayal of the protagonist Gora, a staunch nationalist with Tha fervent belief in Indian traditions, and his interactions with various characters from different backgrounds, reflect the complexities of society and the struggle for cultural identity during the British colonial rule.
Critics also appreciated Tagore's lyrical prose and the way he intertwined philosophical musings with social commentary. The novel's exploration of caste, class, and gender issues further highlighted Tagore's progressive ideas and his concern for social reforms. Over the years, "Gora" has been subject to numerous academic studies and literary analyses, and it continues to be a compelling piece of literature that resonates with readers worldwide. Its themes of self-discovery, religious tolerance, and the quest for truth remain relevant even in contemporary times.
The translation of Gora into English by W. W. Pearson was published in 1924. Half of this version had been revised by Tagore's own nephew, Surendranath Tagore. On the basis of this translation, a French translation was made by Marguerite Glotz in 1927, revised on the Bengali original by Pierre Fallon s.j. and published in 1961; another French translation based on a typescript of the first English translation had been prepared by Madeleine Rolland already in 1923 but was never completed. A new English translation by Sujit Mukherjee, based on the better text of the Bengali Collected Works of Rabindranath (1941), was issued at the Sahitya Akademy, New Delhi, in 1997. On the same better basis, an English translation by Radha Chakravarty was published by Random House in 2009 (Penguin Modern Classics). A German translation by Helene Meyer-Franck appeared in 1924, and by Gisela Leiste in 1980. A Hindi translation was made by the famous Hindi poet and author Agyeya. For his Malayalam translation, Dr. K. C. Ajayakumar has won in 2015 the Sahitya Akademi Award.
Film adaptations exist from 1938, when director Naresh Mitra made a Bengali film in the same name based on the novel. and from 2015, directed by Shukla Mitra. In 2012 Hindi channel Doordarshan broadcast a 26-episode television series by producer Gargi Sen and director Somnath Sen.
Gora holds immense cultural and literary significance in Bengal and beyond. First published in 1910, it remains a timeless classic that has left a profound impact on Bengali literature and society. The novel delves into themes of identity, nationalism, and social reform, presenting a critique of religious orthodoxy and advocating for universal humanism. Gora challenged prevailing notions of caste and religious divisions, promoting a more inclusive and tolerant society. Through its portrayal of the titular character, Gora, an ardent nationalist with a fervent desire to uplift his people, Tagore depicted the struggle for self-discovery and self-realization. The book questioned traditional norms and called for a reevaluation of societal structures, contributing to the intellectual awakening and cultural renaissance in Bengal during the early 20th century. Tagore's lyrical prose and deep philosophical insights in Gora continue to inspire generations of readers, influencing subsequent literature and shaping the Bengal's literary landscape. The novel's emphasis on individuality, empathy, and unity transcends time and remains relevant to this day. Overall, Gora not only transformed Bengal's literary scene but also played a pivotal role in catalyzing the region's cultural and social transformation, leaving an indelible legacy that continues to resonate with readers and scholars worldwide.