Maharashtra State Board Class 10 English Poem Where the Mind is Without Fear Summary, Line by Line Explanation, Theme, Poetic Devices along with difficult word meanings from English Kumarbharati Book
Where the Mind is Without Fear – Are you looking for the summary, theme and poem explanation for Maharashtra State Board Class 10 Poem Where the Mind is Without Fear from English Kumarbharati Book. Get poem summary, theme, explanation, poetic devices along with difficult word meanings.
Where the Mind is Without Fear Class 10 English
(Maharashtra State Board)
By Rabindranath Tagore
- Where the Mind is Without Fear Introduction
- Theme / Central Idea Poem Where the Mind is Without Fear
- Where the Mind is Without Fear Summary
- Where the Mind is Without Fear Summary in Hindi
- Where the Mind is Without Fear Poem Explanation
Where the Mind is Without Fear Introduction
“Where the Mind is Without Fear” by Rabindranath Tagore is a timeless poem that continues to inspire readers with its vision of an ideal society.
The poem was published in 1910 in the compilation titled ‘Gitanjali’. During that time, India was still under the control of the British Empire. The poem reflects the longing for freedom and explores the concept of true freedom, where individuals can think critically, access knowledge, and work towards a better world.
Theme / Central Idea of the Poem Where the Mind is Without Fear
Idea of an Ideal Society
The poem “Where the Mind is Without Fear” by Rabindranath Tagore is a powerful description of an ideal society. In the poem, the poet envisions an ideal nation where-
- People are free to think and express themselves without fear.
- Knowledge is readily available to everyone.
- There is unity and harmony across different classes/castes/communities.
- Honesty and truth form the bedrock of communication.
- People are constantly working for progress and improvement.
- Reason guides actions, while respecting valuable traditions.
Freedom from Fear
Tagore envisions a society where people are fearless. This sets the tone for the entire poem, highlighting the absence of fear as a foundation for a better world.Fear acts as a roadblock to progress, innovation, and honest expression. Hence, the people must be bold and unafraid.
“Where the mind is without fear”
Unity and Harmony
“Where the world has not been broken up into fragments / By narrow domestic walls”
The above lines from the poem criticizes societal divisions. The ideal society must look beyond the barriers like race, religion, or nationality, fostering a sense of belonging and cooperation among all its people.
Honesty and Truth
A society built on trust allows for open communication and discourages manipulation and exploitation. Hence, in an ideal society, the poet says that people must be honest and must speak truthfully.
“Where words come out from the depth of truth”
Emphasis on Knowledge
The poet emphasizes the accessibility of information and education. This fosters intellectual growth and empowers individuals to reach their full potential.
“Where knowledge is free”
Where the Mind is Without Fear Summary
This poem is a beautiful dream of a perfect world. The poet imagines a country where people are brave and free to think for themselves. Everyone has access to the knowledge they want, and there are no barriers dividing people. People are honest and they always tell the truth. People there never give up and keep working to be the best they can be. They use clear and logical thinking instead of just following old traditions. The poet hopes that God will help his country become this ideal place, a land of freedom where everyone’s mind and spirit can truly soar high.
Where the Mind is Without Fear Summary in Hindi
यह कविता एक आदर्श दुनिया का खूबसूरत सपना है। कवि ऐसे देश की कल्पना करता है जहां लोग बहादुर हों और स्वतंत्र रूप से सोच सकें। सभी को वह ज्ञान प्राप्त करने का अवसर मिले जो वे चाहते हैं, और लोगों को बांटने वाली कोई दीवारें नहीं हों । लोग ईमानदार हों और हमेशा सच बोलते हों । वहां के लोग कभी हार नहीं मानते हों और हमेशा सर्वश्रेष्ठ बनने का प्रयास करते रहते रहें । वे केवल पुरानी परंपराओं का पालन करने के बजाय स्पष्ट और तार्किक सोच का इस्तेमाल करते हों । कवि आशा करता है कि ईश्वर उसके देश को इस आदर्श स्थान बनने में मदद करेगा, एक स्वतंत्रता की भूमि जहां हर किसी का मन और आत्मा सचमुच ऊंचाइयों को छू ले।
Where the Mind is Without Fear Poem explanation
Poem
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Explanation: The above lines describe a place where people are brave and not afraid. They are confident and hold their heads high with dignity.
The next line emphasizes the importance of education and access to information for all. Knowledge should not be restricted or limited, allowing everyone to learn and grow.
Poem
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Word Meaning
Fragments – separate pieces
Domestic – Relating to the home or the running of a household
Explanation: This line introduces the concept of unity. In an ideal world the people are not divided by societal barriers. The term ‘narrow domestic walls’ does not mean literal walls but the barriers that are created in the minds of people. These divisions could be due to issues like social status, religion, nationality, or even family structures.
Poem
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Word Meaning
Tireless – having or showing great effort or energy
Striving – Putting in a lot of effort to achieve something
Stretches its arms – aims at achieving a goal
Explanation: The poet stresses on honesty and truthfulness. In an ideal nation, people communicate openly and with honesty, with their words reflecting their true thoughts and feelings. The poet highlights the importance of continuous improvement. In an ideal nation, the people constantly strive to be better versions of themselves, both individually and collectively, as a society.
Poem
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Word Meaning
Stream – Small river
Dreary – Depressing and boring
Dead habit – old traditional rituals and customs that are harmful
Explanation: These lines are a metaphor. The “clear stream of reason” represents critical thinking and logic. The “dreary desert sand of dead habit” represents following traditions or outdated practices, blindly. The poet wants to say that the members of an ideal society use logic and reason and do not blindly follow the old traditions.
Poem
Where the mind is led forward by Thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Word Meaning
Thee – you (Can be interpreted as God or a higher power)
Ever-widening – forever broadening one’s outlook
Explanation: Our minds should be led by God or the author is directly talking with God. When the mind is pushed forward by the guiding force, it explores new ideas, expands its understanding of the world, and broadens its perspective. This broadened knowledge translates into more meaningful and effective actions that contribute to a better society.
Poem
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake
Word Meaning
heaven of freedom – condition of total freedom of good thoughts, good words and good deeds, while respecting those of others
Explanation: This line is a plea or prayer. ‘Father’ again reinforces the possible interpretation of a divine force.
The poet longs for his country, India, to wake up and achieve this state of freedom – a heaven, where people have dignity, knowledge and power.
Figures of Speech and Rhyme Scheme
No Rhyme Scheme – The poem “Where the Mind is Without Fear” by Rabindranath Tagore does not follow a specific rhyme scheme.
Poetic Devices
- Alliteration
Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.
For example, “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high”
“Dreary desert sand of dead habit”
- Repetition
Repetition of certain words and phrases for emphasis.
For example, “Where” is repeated at the beginning of several lines, highlighting the importance of the conditions being described.
“Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way”
- Metaphor
A figure of speech that is used to make a comparison
For example, “clear stream of reason” compares reason to a flowing body of water, suggesting its clarity and importance.
Another example is “dreary desert sand of dead habit” which compares blindly following tradition to a barren wasteland.
- Anaphora
Anaphora refers to the deliberate repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines or clauses.
For example, the poet repeats the word “Where” seven times throughout the poem.
“Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by Thee”
- Enjambment
Enjambment refers to a sentence or clause continuing on to the next line of poetry without a pause indicated by punctuation.
For example,
“Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls”
“Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit”
“Where the mind is led forward by Thee
Into ever-widening thought and action”