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A Novel“Truth cannot be tested except by opposition and obstacles...the testing of truth has not been carried out once and for all by a group of learned men in some passed age; truth has to be rediscovered anew through the blows and opposition it encounters from the people of every age.” - the character Paresh Babu in Gora, by Rabindranath Tagore
While I have generally not highlighted works of fiction here, I decided to slip in a recommendation for this wonderful Bengali novel. In Gora, Rabindranath Tagore paints a vivid picture of 20th century Indian society in conflict. Though his exploration of "society" is broad, focus is placed upon the impacts of religion and caste on the lives of modern Indians. In the wise and patient Paresh Babu, Tagore portrays the enlightened Indian mind attempting to overcome limitations of religious dogma to embrace an all-inclusive faith in goodness and truth. Gora, the novel's central character, is a traditional Indian Brahmin - a man fighting for the national cause without considering its merit or faults. (Of course, we readers learn very quickly that - though he doesn't know it - this figure fighting so vehemently for the preservation of Hindu society is himself not a Hindu at all but instead the son of a deceased Irishman.) The plot is then developed around personal relationships and the tensions at work in modern Indian society. Paresh Babu and his family are part of the Brahmo Samaj sect, a pseudo-Christian group of educated Indians. Though the wisdom of Paresh Babu never fails, the Brahmo sect proves to be as dogmatic and self-serving as any of India's traditional religious/cultural bodies. Binoy is another important character - nearly as important as Gora but without the same level of Hindu nationalism filling his heart. While Binoy is a changed man at the end of the novel, it is Gora who is most significantly transformed. The relationship shared by the two men is beautiful, as is the bond between Paresh Babu and Sucharita, his adopted daughter. That the ties binding these characters are conveyed in such an easy and convincing manner is testament to Tagore's genius. The figure of Paresh Babu is the picture of an enlightened human, a wise yet humble and God-fearing man whose patience and equanimity in the face of distress are worthy of admiration (and emulation). For me, Gora served as a reminder that effective analysis of our world can be attained via works of fiction. I have yet to read anything that better communicates the complex realities of Indian society - religion, caste, class, etc. At the same time, the book is captivating and fun. Gora effectively portrays both positive and negative aspects of Indian culture. Tagore doesn't hesitate to admit and admonish the faults of traditional Hinduism and the centuries-old system of caste but also portrays these elements of the country's culture respectfully. Readers are left feeling that change should be sought - but not without understanding of and respect for the past. Change must come from within, Tagore might suggest, and not from the British Raj or any other foreign power. It's a statement about India itself - but fascinating, too, when considered in light of the world at large. If you are interested in India, Hinduism, or the country's system of caste, Gora should not be missed. If, on the other hand, you're a literature fan in search of a compelling novel, Gora is certainly that. For those of you fitting both descriptions, Gora just might become what it did for me: my new favorite novel. << Find this Book on Amazon.com >>
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![[Book Cover Page: Gora]](images/books/gora.jpg "Gora")