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The Homecoming:
Phatik Chakravorti was ringleader among the boys of the village. A new mischief got into his head. There was a heavy log lying on the mud-flat of the river waiting to be shaped into a mast for a boat. He decided that they should all work together to shift the log by main force from its place and roll it away. The owner of the log would be angry and surprised, and they would all enjoy the fun. Every one seconded the proposal, and it was carried unanimously.
- GenresShort Stories
26 pages, Paperback
First published January 2, 1918
12 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Rabindranath Tagore
2,608 books4,281 followersAwarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 "because of his profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful verse, by which, with consummate skill, he has made his poetic thought, expressed in his own English words, a part of the literature of the West."
Tagore modernised Bengali art by spurning rigid classical forms and resisting linguistic strictures. His novels, stories, songs, dance-dramas, and essays spoke to topics political and personal. Gitanjali (Song Offerings), Gora (Fair-Faced), and Ghare-Baire (The Home and the World) are his best-known works, and his verse, short stories, and novels were acclaimed—or panned—for their lyricism, colloquialism, naturalism, and unnatural contemplation. His compositions were chosen by two nations as national anthems: India's Jana Gana Mana and Bangladesh's Amar Shonar Bangla.
The complete works of Rabindranath Tagore (রবীন্দ্র রচনাবলী) in the original Bengali are now available at these third-party websites:
http://www.tagoreweb.in/
http://www.rabindra-rachanabali.nltr....
Tagore modernised Bengali art by spurning rigid classical forms and resisting linguistic strictures. His novels, stories, songs, dance-dramas, and essays spoke to topics political and personal. Gitanjali (Song Offerings), Gora (Fair-Faced), and Ghare-Baire (The Home and the World) are his best-known works, and his verse, short stories, and novels were acclaimed—or panned—for their lyricism, colloquialism, naturalism, and unnatural contemplation. His compositions were chosen by two nations as national anthems: India's Jana Gana Mana and Bangladesh's Amar Shonar Bangla.
The complete works of Rabindranath Tagore (রবীন্দ্র রচনাবলী) in the original Bengali are now available at these third-party websites:
http://www.tagoreweb.in/
http://www.rabindra-rachanabali.nltr....
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 11, 2024
Another masterpiece. Whenever I finish reading Rabindranath Tagore's books, my mind says that he was a 'Pure Genius'. He was way ahead of his time. Tagore is a master of dialogue as well, and although he uses it somewhat sparingly, it helps to develop his characters even more vividly. He understood human mind and emotions with precision and his tales always have that naughty twist in them.
The story 'Homecoming' depicts the journey of Phatik, the protagonist who spent all his life in search of a home of his own where he can find homely love and affection. But in search of it, he gained disappointment in various phases of his life and which led to his death at last at a very early age.
If we compare Phatik's and Tagore's life, I found a similarity. Rabindrath could not received full-time attention of his parents during his growing years. His mother had already died, while his father Debendranath Tagore traveled widely during the Indian National Movement. All this meant isolation for the young Tagore who grew up lonely from within same as Phatik. In the story also Phatik's father died and he didn't receive any love from his younger brother and his mother. The Homecoming perhaps a reflection of the of his own life who occasionally used to have bouts of depression.
I believe, through this story, Tagore is trying to say that- All children need is care and soothing words. Parents must talk to them when they are stressed or worried and try to understand the reasons behind children's inabilities rather than considering them unworthy and failure.🙂
The story 'Homecoming' depicts the journey of Phatik, the protagonist who spent all his life in search of a home of his own where he can find homely love and affection. But in search of it, he gained disappointment in various phases of his life and which led to his death at last at a very early age.
If we compare Phatik's and Tagore's life, I found a similarity. Rabindrath could not received full-time attention of his parents during his growing years. His mother had already died, while his father Debendranath Tagore traveled widely during the Indian National Movement. All this meant isolation for the young Tagore who grew up lonely from within same as Phatik. In the story also Phatik's father died and he didn't receive any love from his younger brother and his mother. The Homecoming perhaps a reflection of the of his own life who occasionally used to have bouts of depression.
I believe, through this story, Tagore is trying to say that- All children need is care and soothing words. Parents must talk to them when they are stressed or worried and try to understand the reasons behind children's inabilities rather than considering them unworthy and failure.🙂
April 24, 2017
A little too brief for my liking but heart-breaking all the same.
December 18, 2016
Vignettes of life in the Bengali countryside .... comforting Tagore literature as usual .
September 27, 2024
Tagore’s short story The Homecoming is an account of the childhood and adolescence of Phatik Chakravorti.
In Phatik’s childhood, he seems to be the master of his world. Phatik spends his childhood in a village. He is the ringleader of the village boys. He lives on impulse and is aggressive towards his brother and even his mother. However, his mother is fed up with Phatik and his naughtiness. It is revealed that Phatik’s mother is a widow. It is possible that the absence of a father could be one of the reasons why Phatik is a naughty and wild child. In contrast, Phatik’s brother Makhan whom he beats up quite often is portrayed as a gentle type and a reader of books.
Phatik’s uncle Bishamber agrees to take Phatik away from his mother and provide her some relief. Phatik’s enthusiasm to get away from his home and surroundings distresses his mother.
However, Phatik’s glee is short lived when he reaches his uncle’s home in Calcutta. The wild child from the village finds it hard to adjust to life in the city in his uncle’s home. His aunt is irritated with him and neglects him. In his adolescence, Pratik misses the natural world of his childhood and feels trapped in the city which is full of houses and walls. The boy of fourteen misses his home and feels like an alien in his uncle’s house. This is in direct contrast to Phatik’s childhood, when he was the master of his surroundings. His lack of success in studies at school and inability to make friends also affects Phatik mentally in his adolescence.
Phatik longs to return to his village in his adolescence. Tagore suggests that a boy in his adolescence needs his own home, and it is the only paradise in his life. He needs the kindness of women but in his uncle’s home, Phatik is treated with scorn by his aunt.
Frankly, there wasn't much attention to detail. The whole story was a bit simplistic. Tagore seems to be a lover of villages.
In Phatik’s childhood, he seems to be the master of his world. Phatik spends his childhood in a village. He is the ringleader of the village boys. He lives on impulse and is aggressive towards his brother and even his mother. However, his mother is fed up with Phatik and his naughtiness. It is revealed that Phatik’s mother is a widow. It is possible that the absence of a father could be one of the reasons why Phatik is a naughty and wild child. In contrast, Phatik’s brother Makhan whom he beats up quite often is portrayed as a gentle type and a reader of books.
Phatik’s uncle Bishamber agrees to take Phatik away from his mother and provide her some relief. Phatik’s enthusiasm to get away from his home and surroundings distresses his mother.
However, Phatik’s glee is short lived when he reaches his uncle’s home in Calcutta. The wild child from the village finds it hard to adjust to life in the city in his uncle’s home. His aunt is irritated with him and neglects him. In his adolescence, Pratik misses the natural world of his childhood and feels trapped in the city which is full of houses and walls. The boy of fourteen misses his home and feels like an alien in his uncle’s house. This is in direct contrast to Phatik’s childhood, when he was the master of his surroundings. His lack of success in studies at school and inability to make friends also affects Phatik mentally in his adolescence.
Phatik longs to return to his village in his adolescence. Tagore suggests that a boy in his adolescence needs his own home, and it is the only paradise in his life. He needs the kindness of women but in his uncle’s home, Phatik is treated with scorn by his aunt.
Frankly, there wasn't much attention to detail. The whole story was a bit simplistic. Tagore seems to be a lover of villages.
September 9, 2020
The tragic story of a teen boy
February 16, 2023
this is heartbreaking and written beautifully
January 10, 2023
BOOK:THE HOME COMING BY RABINDRANATH TAGORE
BOOK REVIEWER:-OKOKO AYEZU TAMARAPREYE
SYNOPSIS:-
About Phatik Chakravorti a ring leader of the village boys and his mother and brother Makhan.His quarells with his younger brother and finally his sojourn out of the village to stay with his uncle.We see his short lived joy of having to leave the tyrant mother of his and his uncle's wife showing him no care causing him to become a devoted slave to who every showed him care until such a day when his slavery ends with the arrival of his mother when he fell sick at his uncle's described as the "holiday has come".
LESSONS LEARNT FROM THE BOOK READ:-
🔥We learn from the story that children need care and consideration even as we see Phatik Chakravorti become a devoted slave to who ever showed him consideration.
🔥 Phatik Chakravorti falling sick and staying away from home when his aunty responded with annoyance his service with overjoy and over doing task just to gain her love.
🔥We learn fair hearing and the benefit of hearing the other side for Phatik Chakravorti's mother listening to only Makhan's side of the story thus being harsh on Phatik.
🔥Caregiving and the importance of quick response and attention is learnt from Phatik Chakravorti's mother fast arrival to respond to him when she heard he fell sick and his uncle sent for her.
🔥Injustice could lead to revolt even as we see Phatik Chakravorti push his mother aside
APPLICATION OF LESSONS LEARNT:-
Whether revolt is best reaction for Injustice is one theory that the world and it's inhabitants have continued to speak against as an eye for an eye leave all blind.
BOOK REVIEWER:-OKOKO AYEZU TAMARAPREYE
SYNOPSIS:-
About Phatik Chakravorti a ring leader of the village boys and his mother and brother Makhan.His quarells with his younger brother and finally his sojourn out of the village to stay with his uncle.We see his short lived joy of having to leave the tyrant mother of his and his uncle's wife showing him no care causing him to become a devoted slave to who every showed him care until such a day when his slavery ends with the arrival of his mother when he fell sick at his uncle's described as the "holiday has come".
LESSONS LEARNT FROM THE BOOK READ:-
🔥We learn from the story that children need care and consideration even as we see Phatik Chakravorti become a devoted slave to who ever showed him consideration.
🔥 Phatik Chakravorti falling sick and staying away from home when his aunty responded with annoyance his service with overjoy and over doing task just to gain her love.
🔥We learn fair hearing and the benefit of hearing the other side for Phatik Chakravorti's mother listening to only Makhan's side of the story thus being harsh on Phatik.
🔥Caregiving and the importance of quick response and attention is learnt from Phatik Chakravorti's mother fast arrival to respond to him when she heard he fell sick and his uncle sent for her.
🔥Injustice could lead to revolt even as we see Phatik Chakravorti push his mother aside
APPLICATION OF LESSONS LEARNT:-
Whether revolt is best reaction for Injustice is one theory that the world and it's inhabitants have continued to speak against as an eye for an eye leave all blind.
August 2, 2024
A critique of society's indifference towards the emotional turmoil adolescents often navigate. Although it lacks the poetic refinement of Tagore's other masterworks, its significance shines undiminished.
On the following excerpt from the story, Tagore describes what your average 14 year old faces.
"In this world of human affairs there is no worse nuisance than a boy at the age of fourteen. He is neither ornamental, nor useful. It is impossible to shower affection on him as on a little boy; and he is always getting in the way. If he talks with a childish lisp he is called a baby, and if he answers in a grown-up way he is called impertinent. In fact any talk at all from him is resented. Then he is at the unattractive, growing age. He grows out of his clothes with indecent haste; his voice grows hoarse and breaks and quavers; his face grows suddenly angular and unsightly. It is easy to excuse the shortcomings of early childhood, but it is hard to tolerate even unavoidable lapses in a boy of fourteen. The lad himself becomes painfully self-conscious. When he talks with elderly people he is either unduly forward, or else so unduly shy that he appears ashamed of his very existence.
"Yet it is at this very age when in his heart of hearts a young lad most craves for recognition and love; and he becomes the devoted slave of any one who shows him consideration. But none dare openly love him, for that would be regarded as undue indulgence, and therefore bad for the boy. So, what with scolding and chiding, he becomes very much like a stray dog that has lost his master. "
On the following excerpt from the story, Tagore describes what your average 14 year old faces.
"In this world of human affairs there is no worse nuisance than a boy at the age of fourteen. He is neither ornamental, nor useful. It is impossible to shower affection on him as on a little boy; and he is always getting in the way. If he talks with a childish lisp he is called a baby, and if he answers in a grown-up way he is called impertinent. In fact any talk at all from him is resented. Then he is at the unattractive, growing age. He grows out of his clothes with indecent haste; his voice grows hoarse and breaks and quavers; his face grows suddenly angular and unsightly. It is easy to excuse the shortcomings of early childhood, but it is hard to tolerate even unavoidable lapses in a boy of fourteen. The lad himself becomes painfully self-conscious. When he talks with elderly people he is either unduly forward, or else so unduly shy that he appears ashamed of his very existence.
"Yet it is at this very age when in his heart of hearts a young lad most craves for recognition and love; and he becomes the devoted slave of any one who shows him consideration. But none dare openly love him, for that would be regarded as undue indulgence, and therefore bad for the boy. So, what with scolding and chiding, he becomes very much like a stray dog that has lost his master. "
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews