Where the mind is without fear

- Rabindranath Tagore, India (1861-1941)

I. Literal Comprehension

            Context: This poem is written by Rabindranath Tagore, India (1861-1941).

            The speaker of the poem wants his country to be free and fearless so that his countrymen will have dignity. He wants free education and unbroken or undivided society where people will speak the truth, work hard for perfection, and apply reason in their thoughts to come out of superstitious beliefs and practices. He expects God to help and lead his countrymen toward broadmindedness in their thoughts and actions.

II. Interpretation

            The poem might be trying to tell us that freedom, knowledge, and reason are the most important things for dignified human society. Without them, the human society cannot be humane. It also means that in absence of freedom, knowledge, and reason, the human society will be full of fear, narrow thoughts, divisions, betrayal, and superstitious beliefs and practices.

III. Critical Thinking

            I think the poem is too idealistic and beyond the harsh reality of the human society. The poet’s idea can be taken as a guideline for creating better human society, but it has never been possible to inculcate all the qualities to any society around the world till date. 

IV. Assimilation

            After reading the poem, I have come to know what the essential qualities of an ideal human society are. But I am dismayed with the realization that it will never be possible to create such a state in our societies. Therefore, we are never perfect and never happy.