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Subha

Subha is a poignant short story by Rabindranath Tagore that follows Subhashini, a speech-impaired girl, as she navigates isolation and societal expectations in her village. Despite her deep connections with nature and a childhood friendship with Pratap, Subha faces immense pressure to marry, leading to a tragic wedding under false pretenses. The story critiques societal norms and highlights the silent suffering of individuals like Subha, who are misunderstood and marginalized due to their disabilities.

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nazneen
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46 views

Subha

Subha is a poignant short story by Rabindranath Tagore that follows Subhashini, a speech-impaired girl, as she navigates isolation and societal expectations in her village. Despite her deep connections with nature and a childhood friendship with Pratap, Subha faces immense pressure to marry, leading to a tragic wedding under false pretenses. The story critiques societal norms and highlights the silent suffering of individuals like Subha, who are misunderstood and marginalized due to their disabilities.

Uploaded by

nazneen
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SUBHA BY

TAGORE
PRESENTED BY DR.NAZNEEN.M.Y
III BBA LLB A&B SECTIONS
PLOT
SUMMARY
Subha is a poignant short story by Rabindranath
Tagore that explores themes of communication,
isolation, and societal expectations. The story
revolves around Subhashini, affectionately known
as Subha, a young girl who is speech-impaired.
Subha's inability to speak makes her an outsider in
her own home, where she is often misunderstood
and pitied by her family.

Subha grows up in the small village of Chandipur, where her


family is relatively prosperous. Her most cherished
companions are nature and animals, particularly the two
cows, Sarbbasi and Panguli, with whom she shares a silent
bond. Unlike the human relationships in her life, these
connections are untainted by the pressures of societal norms
or expectations.
Subha’s parents, especially her mother, are
concerned about her future because of her speech
impairment. They worry about finding a suitable
match for her, as marriage is seen as the only path
for a woman in their society. Despite her mother’s
frustration and sometimes harsh treatment, Subha
remains calm and introspective, retreating further
into her inner world.
Subha has a close childhood friendship with a local boy named
Pratap, who enjoys fishing by the river. Although they never speak
due to Subha’s condition, there is an unspoken understanding
between them. Pratap’s departure from the village marks a significant
turning point in Subha’s life, further isolating her.
Failed Marriage at the End:

As Subha grows older, the pressure to marry her off intensifies.


Her parents, desperate to secure her future, arrange a marriage
for her with a bridegroom from another village. The man is
employed away from Kolkata and is unaware of Subha’s
disability. The family conceals her speech impairment during the
wedding negotiations, presenting her as a suitable bride without
revealing the truth.

On the wedding day, Subha is dressed in bridal attire and sent


off to her husband’s home, despite her silent protests. Her
inability to express herself leaves her powerless in the face of
societal expectations. Subha’s silent tears as she leaves her
home reflect her deep sorrow and helplessness.
The story ends on a tragic note, highlighting the cruel reality of
Subha's situation. She is married off under false pretenses, and
it is implied that her life in her husband’s home will be filled with
suffering and misunderstanding, given that her disability has
been hidden from her new family.
Important
Quotations
: was a silent girl, with large,
• Subha’s Silent World:
• “Subha
expressive eyes that spoke the language
of her heart.”
• This line highlights how Subha
communicates through her eyes,
emphasizing her silent yet expressive
nature.
• Subha’s Bond with Nature:
• “In the field of speech, Subha was dumb,
but in the field of the heart, she was a
poet.”
• This quote reflects Subha’s deep
connection with nature and her inner
world, where she finds solace and
expression.
On Her Marriage:
• “She knew it was her own funeral procession
that was passing before her eyes.”
• This line captures Subha’s despair as she is
forced into a marriage, fully aware that she is
being sent into a life of misery and
misunderstanding.

Subha’s Helplessness:
• “Tears rushed to her eyes, but she made no
sound, for Subha could not speak.”
• This poignant moment illustrates Subha’s
deep sadness and her inability to express
her feelings, further emphasizing her tragic
situation.
Themes:

• Isolation and Communication: Subha’s inability to speak isolates her from the people around
her, yet her inner life is rich and expressive, showcasing the limitations of verbal
communication.
• Societal Expectations: The story critiques the societal pressure to conform, particularly in the
context of marriage, and how these expectations can lead to the exploitation and suffering of
vulnerable individuals.
• Silent Suffering: Subha’s life is a portrayal of silent suffering, where her internal world is at
odds with the external reality imposed on her by society.
Subha is a touching exploration
of the life of a girl who, despite
her inability to speak, has a
deep and rich inner world.
Tagore uses her story to
highlight the cruelty of societal
norms and the silent suffering of
those who are unable to
Thank You

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