"The Postmaster" is a short story written by Rabindranath Tagore, one of India's most prominent writers and Nobel laureates. It was first published in 1891 as part of a collection of stories called "Galpaguchchha."
The story is set in a remote village in Bengal during the British colonial era and follows the character of a young postmaster who is sent to the village from Calcutta. The postmaster, who is from a city and has no experience of rural life, finds it difficult to adjust to his new surroundings and initially feels isolated and lonely.
However, he eventually strikes up a close friendship with a young orphan girl named Ratan, who works as his maid. Ratan becomes very attached to the postmaster and begins to see him as a father figure. The postmaster, too, begins to care deeply for Ratan and takes an interest in her education.
The story explores themes of loneliness, isolation, and the search for human connection. It also highlights the contrast between urban and rural life and the impact of colonialism on Indian society.
Tagore's writing is characterized by its vivid imagery, lyrical prose, and profound insights into the human condition. "The Postmaster" is no exception, as it offers a moving and nuanced portrayal of the complex relationship between the postmaster and Ratan.
Overall, "The Postmaster" is a powerful and poignant story that has become a beloved classic of Indian literature.
1. The Postmaster: by Rabindranath Tagore
In The Postmaster : a young man from Kolkata
is posted to a rural area and finds life dull and
boring. Orphaned girl-child Ratan draws water for
him and cooks for him. The postmaster occupies
his leisure in teaching her how to read and write.
This creates in Ratan a desire for self-
improvement as well as an affection for her
teacher and employer. The Postmaster falls ill and
she nurses him devotedly. But he seeks and gets a
transfer and Ratan feels abandoned. This too is
part of the Ray film Teen Kanya (1961).
2. Summary
The postmaster is a young man who is initially excited about his new job and the prospect of experiencing life in a
rural setting. However, he soon finds himself struggling to adjust to the slow pace of life and the lack of
companionship in the village.
As time goes on, the postmaster forms a close bond with Ratan, a young girl who works as his servant. Ratan is a
simple, kind-hearted girl who is fascinated by the postmaster's stories of life in the big city. She becomes very
attached to him and sees him as a father figure.
The postmaster, in turn, finds solace in Ratan's company and begins to confide in her about his feelings of loneliness
and homesickness. However, his growing attachment to Ratan is cut short when he is called back to Calcutta.
The story explores themes of loneliness, isolation, and the search for human connection. It also touches on the
complexities of power and privilege, as the postmaster finds himself in a position of authority over Ratan, despite his
own feelings of vulnerability and loneliness.
"The Postmaster" is a poignant and insightful story that offers a glimpse into the complexities of human relationships
and the struggle for connection in a world that can often feel cold and indifferent. It is widely regarded as one of
Tagore's most popular and enduring works of fiction.
