Rabindranath Tagore's Insightful Quote on Purity and Class Division
Quote of the day by Rabindranath Tagore: ‘Purity, they imagined, was only becoming in those on whom fortune...'
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
Rabindranath Tagore, a renowned Bengali polymath, highlights the disparity in societal views on purity through his quote from 'Ghare Baire.' He suggests that purity is often expected of the less fortunate, while the wealthy escape scrutiny. This commentary remains relevant today as class divisions persist despite constitutional guarantees of equality.
- 01Rabindranath Tagore was a significant figure in the Bengali Renaissance and the first Asian Nobel laureate in Literature.
- 02His quote from 'Ghare Baire' critiques societal double standards regarding purity and morality.
- 03Tagore's metaphor compares the poor to the moon, marked by flaws, while the wealthy are likened to distant, flawless stars.
- 04The quote emphasizes the ongoing relevance of class divisions in contemporary society.
- 05It serves as a reminder to judge individuals based on their character rather than their social status.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941), a celebrated Bengali polymath, made significant contributions as a poet, playwright, and philosopher. He was the first Asian to win a Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his work 'Gitanjali.' In his novel 'Ghare Baire' (translated as 'The Home and the World'), Tagore reflects on societal perceptions of purity through a thought-provoking quote: 'Purity, they imagined, was only becoming in those on whom fortune had not smiled. It is the moon which has room for stains, not the stars.' This statement critiques the notion that moral purity is primarily expected of the poor, while the wealthy often evade such scrutiny. Tagore uses the moon and stars as metaphors to illustrate class differences, suggesting that the flaws of the poor are judged more harshly than those of the affluent. Despite Tagore's passing over six decades ago, his observations on class division remain relevant today, as societal inequalities persist. His quote encourages a more equitable perspective, urging individuals to recognize the shared humanity in everyone, regardless of social status.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
Do you believe that societal perceptions of purity are influenced by class divisions?
Connecting to poll...
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.


