Feminism and Colonialism in Tagore’s Relationships

Abstract

Relationships can be studied as a novel of post colonialism and feminism. Marriage in this novel becomes the focal point to study marriage as an institution of colonialism. Just as in colonialisation the colonizer attempts to usurp and appropriate the native’s mind and body, so in marriage the husband tries to conquer and control the mind, body and soul of his wife. Madhusudhan’s marriage with Kumudini is a strong reminder of the fact that the natives are subjected into submission and defeat by the sheer use of force. Tagore focuses on these colonization tendencies in this novel. The role and significance of education is also given very important space in the novel. Education leads to the decolonization of mind.