Apply the four levels of meaning to “Where the Mind is Without Fear”
literal Comprehension: The speaker of this poem hopes where
on feels fearless and honoured, where knowledge is free where whole world is
united, where true words come from real heart, where smooth ideas are not
disturbed by dead habit, etc. such land of freedom the speaker wants to be
awoken. In the world our mind should be ever respected and should be honoured.
The people should not be divided rather united and go for common objectives.
Our motherland should be such ever widening developing and uprising country.
Interpretation: Actually the poem is trying to
clarify the value of Knowledge., courage, self-dignity sincere and reasonable
thoughts. If these all qualities were found in the countrymen of any country,
that country would be heavenly place. There will be ever peace, progress and
development. As the citizen of any country one must have discussed qualities
and make nation a paradise.
Critical Thinking: Rabindranath Tagore had vision of a country,
which is full of all qualities of ideal nation. The honour, self-respect,
dignity hardworking subjects, business relation, modern conscious society,
absence of traditional taboos, superstitions and dead habits. According to the
poet fearlessness, Knowledge, honour truth, reason are very much important to
any country and people. I am completely agreed with these ideas. I can share
the worries (that ) the speaker is expressing. New knowledge of awareness,
reason, truth, self respect, honour, etc. are compulsory qualities to any good
citizen and ideal country. The request of poet seems urging any people to be
wide-minded, full of knowledge consciousness, etc. would it be possible to
create such ideal national on earth? How can we fight to avoid everyday evil?
Can such ideal desire of the speaker be materialized really?