Does reading these stories require prior knowledge of Indian culture or history?

While some familiarity might enrich the experience, it is not strictly necessary. The universal human themes and the quality of Tagore's storytelling, combined with authoritative translations, make these stories accessible to a global audience regardless of their background knowledge.

What is the significance of 'The Oxford Tagore' series?

This series represents a major scholarly effort to publish comprehensive and authoritative English translations of Tagore's vast body of work, including poetry, prose, and fiction. It aims to make his complete oeuvre more accessible to a global readership through meticulously edited and readable translations.

How do these short stories differ from his more famous works like 'Gitanjali'?

While 'Gitanjali' is primarily a collection of lyrical poems often imbued with spiritual and devotional themes, the 'Selected Short Stories' offer narrative prose exploring social realism, psychological depth, and character-driven plots. Both showcase Tagore's profound insights but through distinct literary forms.

Who is Sukanta Chaudhuri, and what is his role in this edition?

Sukanta Chaudhuri is a renowned scholar and translator, celebrated for his expertise in Bengali literature. He serves as the editor for 'The Oxford Tagore' series, ensuring the translations are both authoritative and highly readable, thereby preserving the essence and beauty of Tagore's original works.

What kind of philosophical ideas are explored in Tagore's short stories?

Tagore's stories often touch upon humanism, the search for truth, the nature of freedom, the impact of tradition versus modernity, and the inherent dignity of individuals, even those marginalized by society. His philosophy emphasizes empathy, spiritual connection, and a holistic view of existence.

Are these stories suitable for readers new to Rabindranath Tagore's work?

Absolutely. This collection serves as an excellent introduction to Tagore's narrative genius, offering a diverse range of stories that highlight his literary skill and thematic depth. The quality of the new translations ensures a smooth and engaging reading experience for newcomers.

Does Tagore's writing style in these stories still resonate with contemporary readers?

Yes, despite being written in the early 20th century, Tagore's profound understanding of human nature, his nuanced character portrayals, and his timeless themes of love, loss, justice, and spiritual longing continue to resonate deeply with modern audiences worldwide.

Archivist's Choice

Selected Short Stories

Name: Selected Short Stories
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.21 (6352 reviews)
ISBN: 9780195658293

Rabindranath Tagore (1917)

Genre

Philosophy

Reading Time

340 pages / ~7-8 hours (for an average reader)

Key Themes

See below

Track Your Reading

Tagore's stories from turn-of-the-century Bengal explore the human condition through tales of love, loss, and social reflection.

Synopsis

Rabindranath Tagore's "Selected Short Stories" explores human life in early 20th-century Bengal, looking at how individual desires interact with social rules. With clear characters and poetic writing, the collection shows the nature of love and loss, the quiet strength of ordinary people, and the unspoken emotions that shape lives. Tagore criticizes the strict social classes and gender inequality of his time. At the same time, he celebrates the beauty of nature and the wisdom of childhood. The stories consider the universal human condition, emphasizing the power of memory and the tension between fate and choice.

Reading time

340 pages / ~7-8 hours (for an average reader)

Difficulty

Medium

✓ Read this if...

You appreciate literary short stories that offer deep psychological insights, explore societal critiques through personal narratives, and are drawn to lyrical prose with a philosophical bent. Ideal for those interested in classic Indian literature and the complexities of human emotion.

✗ Skip this if...

You prefer fast-paced plot-driven narratives, have an aversion to stories that often end with ambiguity or a sense of melancholy, or are looking for a strictly academic philosophical text rather than philosophical themes embedded in fiction.

Plot Summary

Principal Figures

Themes & Insights

Plot Devices & Literary Techniques

Critical analysis

Notable Quotes

“The small wisdom is like water in a glass: clear, transparent, pure. The large wisdom is like the water in the sea: dark, mysterious, impenetrable.”

— From 'The Poet's Story', reflecting on different kinds of wisdom.

“Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark.”

— A poetic reflection on faith's enduring nature, often found in philosophical musings.

“You can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.”

— From 'The Conclusion', emphasizing the need for action over mere contemplation.

“Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.”

— A metaphor for life's challenges transforming into beauty, often found in his philosophical essays.

“The flower which is single need not envy the thorns that are numerous.”

— From 'The Postmaster', a subtle commentary on individuality and worth.

“Depth of affection is a dangerous thing. It brings with it a burden of care, a weight of responsibility.”

— From 'The Postmaster', exploring the complexities of human attachment.

“Emancipation from the bondage of the soil is no freedom for the tree.”

— A philosophical observation on true freedom, highlighting the importance of roots and belonging.

“The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life.”

— A profound statement on altruism and legacy, often attributed to his broader philosophical writings.

“Love is an endless mystery, for it has nothing else to explain it.”

— A musing on the inexplicable nature of love, found in his more romantic and philosophical stories.

“Bigotry tries to keep truth safe in its hand with a grip that kills it.”

— A critique of narrow-mindedness and its detrimental effect on truth.

“Let your life lightly dance on the edges of time like dew on the tip of a leaf.”

— A poetic and philosophical suggestion for living in the moment and appreciating transience.

“The greatest truths are the simplest, and so are the greatest men.”

— A reflection on simplicity and greatness, both in ideas and individuals.

“A mind all alive in a body all alive—that is the ideal state of man.”

— An articulation of the ideal human condition, emphasizing mental and physical vitality.

“The night opens wide to the Light, for the Light is its own child.”

— A metaphor for the inevitable emergence of truth and understanding, even from darkness.

“Sleep is a god who gives you back to yourself.”

— A beautiful description of sleep's restorative power and its role in self-renewal.

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Key Questions (FAQ)

This collection delves into various facets of human experience, often exploring themes of rural life, social injustices, the complexities of relationships, and spiritual yearning within Bengali society. Tagore's stories provide a window into early 20th-century India, reflecting its cultural nuances and societal challenges.

About the author

Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore was a Bengali poet, writer, playwright, composer, philosopher, social reformer and painter. He reshaped Bengali literature and music as well as Indian art with Contextual Modernism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Author of the "profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful" poetry of Gitanjali, he became in 1913 the first non-European and the first lyricist to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. Tagore's poetic songs were viewed as spiritual and mercurial; however, his "elegant prose and magical poetry" remain largely unknown outside Bengal. He was a fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society. Referred to as "the Bard of Bengal", Tagore was known by sobriquets: Gurudeb, Kobiguru, Biswokobi.