An Analytical Study of the Bond between Women and Nature in the Select Short Stories of Rabindranath Tagore

Abstract

Aims: This paper examines Rabindranath Tagore’s portrayal of women and Nature in his short stories, highlighting the deep and symbolic bond between the two. It aims to explore how Tagore’s humanism and ecological consciousness anticipate ecofeminist ideas by presenting women as empathetic and ethically aligned with the natural world.

Methodology and Approaches: The study employs close textual and thematic analysis of selected short stories by Rabindranath Tagore. It adopts an ecofeminist critical framework, drawing upon concepts from ecocriticism and feminist theory to analyse the parallel oppression of women and Nature under patriarchal structures.

Outcomes: The analysis demonstrates that Tagore consistently associates women with care, empathy, and environmental sensitivity, suggesting a shared experience of marginalisation and exploitation. His narratives reveal an early ecological awareness that closely resonates with ecofeminist thought, particularly in critiquing patriarchal domination over both women and the natural world.

Conclusion and Suggestions: The study concludes that Tagore’s short stories offer a significant literary articulation of the interconnectedness of women and Nature, predating formal ecofeminist discourse. His work challenges patriarchal values and advocates a harmonious relationship between humanity and the environment. Future research may extend this ecofeminist reading to Tagore’s novels, poetry, or comparative studies with contemporary ecological writers.