New-York tribune., 1919-06-07
Novel by I agore
Interesting Study of
a Rajjah and RAM

THE HOME AND THE WORLD BY
Msorn9l1 MMso,nu 1anatn Iasore Published By tho
,l'75 ' COMPANY -'' pages ff''e'
Iagore's first long novel to be pub
lished in English is in many respects
remarkable piece of work. It would
not be fair yet to draw any compari-
son between the famous Indians pro-
tlciency in this new form and the others
IN which he has established his repu-
tation. The novel shows no great
grasp of structure, but is illumined
by excellent character drawing. The
plot is built along familiar triangle
lines, but the setting. in the home
OF progressive rajah. is novel. And.
after all. since India is the home OF
everlasting things. what more fitting
than that it should serve as back
ground for the eternal triangle.
THE Home and the World presents
some curious lapscs in style Accord
ing to the publishers announcement,
This story was translated by Mr.. Su
rendranath 1agore, and the translation
was revised by the author The re
vision has not always been thorough
going. 1t failed. for instance, TO take
out Passion is beautiful and pure
pure as the lily that comes out Of the
Shiny soil. 1t rises superior to its
defilement and needs no Pears SOAP
to wash 1t clean" II is true that both
the passages quoted occur in first per-
son narratives of a character called
Sandlp, who is an agitator and a man
of lower class than the rajah or the
ranl, who are the other story tellers.
but at the same time he is pictured
as man of great eloquence, and Ia
gore TT times permits him flights fully
as lofty as any of the rest
The device of three narrators is not
altogether a happy one, as il serves
to break the current of the story into
eddles-very good eddies, as dramatic
reviewer might say, but still obstacle,
to the smooth progress of the story.
he chief interest of the book lies in
the insight which it gives us into the
life and minds of the progressives
of India. The story concerns the
effect which the nationalist m,vement.
Swadeshi, has in driving wedge be
tween the rajah and the rani. thanks
to the influence of a brilliant agita-
tor. Both husband and wife favor
the movement, but with q varying
degree of intensity which makes for
collisions. The rani is thoroughgoing
partisan, buv the rajah will support
only such policies as he believes to be
right.
II am willing" he said. "to serve
my country; but my worship reserve
for Right, which is far greater than
my country. To worship my country
as a god is to bring curse Upon it
The position of woman in India seems
to be much less restricted than nigh.
be supposed if one is to Judge from
the freedom which the rani takes. but
undoubtedly she is pictured as q sngu-
larly emancipated woman. even among
the upper classes. When she complains
that Women's minds are petty and
crooked, her husband replies, Like
the feet of Chinese women. Has not
the pressure of society crampcd them
into .pettiness and crookedness? They
are but the pawns of the fate which
CANDLES with them. What responsibility
have they ot their own ,"
The book is not without humor. as
witness the observation of Sandip the
agitator, who is laying siege TO the
heart of Bimala, the rani: "Perhaps
had better not say much to her, but
simply select some modern books for
her to read. Let her gradually come 10
the conviction that to acknowledge and
respect passion as the supreme reality
is TO be modern-not to be ashamed
of it. not to glorify restraint If she
finds shelter in some such word as
modern she will find strength"
In the end the love Of the rani for
the rajah proves stronger than her
love for Sandip or Swadeshi The
book is an interesting study in ar un-
familiar field. H.