Page 13 - DENG104_ELECTIVE_ENGLISH_I

Elective English–I

Notes those content with British rule). Others want Amal to rebel (symbolizing those who want to
be rid of British rule). Amal is in transition. He is obedient enough to stay inside, but he wants
to leave. He knows he is too young, but he knows his future is disappearing. In a way he
represents the youth of India.
Madhab Dutta and Amal.

Madhab: Formerly, earning was a passion for me…now I know it is all for this dear boy,
earning becomes a joy.
Madhab represents the older generation. He is content to stay at home and listen to the orders
of the doctor. He regrets not being a more learned man, and wants Amal to stay home and
study. He symbolizes a generation that is set in their ways. Madhab is content with his life and
now turns his attention toward the boy’s life.
Amal and the Other Young Characters.
The young people are all symbols of India’s youth generation.
Sudha: Poor thing! But you musn’t step outside-you’ve got to listen to the Healer.
She symbolizes the young and naïve, and those who wish to obey the older generation. However
she is willing to listen to Amal’s ideas as she spends more time with him.
The Boys: What Healer! You don’t need a Healer! Representing the future of India, they are
willing to defy the doctor and encourage Amal to join them. One asks if they will be the group
that will eventually rise up and control India.
Amal and the Curdseller, the Watchman, the Headman.
Amal: Will you teach me how to sell curds?

Curdseller: Why would you want to sell curds?
The Curdseller, the labourer, is unhappy with his work but would not dare go against British
rule. He encourages Amal to stay inside and learn.
Amal: Aren’t you going to ring your gong?

Watchman: The time has not yet come.
Amal: Some say the time has gone by and some say the time hasn’t come. But if you ring your
gong, it will be time.
Amal represents the school of thought that the people should start freeing themselves from the
British, that his generation has the power and timing to overthrow the ruling class, the gong
being the metaphorical gong that will start the revolution. The Watchman represents someone
who follows British rule but does not know why, and does not appear to care why. He is
content with his job, and does not question his orders. While India may be ready to rid itself
of British rule, not everyone is willing.
Headman: Who dares yell out my name like that?
The last working class character presented by Tagore, Headman represents the controlled
mass, who appears to have a degree of power, and is unwilling to change in order to hang on
to his power.
All three of these characters symbolize different working class levels of the Indian population,
and represent Tagore’s views on the current Indian generation.
The Royal Healer and the King are not literal characters like the ones above; they are the
metaphor for Eternity and God, illuminating that the Eastern philosophy on death is much
different than that of the West. As Amal’s physical state deteriorates, his spiritual self transcends
his physical state, bringing him closer to the King and his Royal Messenger.

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