The Home and the World

Sandip comes to their neighborhood to preach Swadeshi. At the temple pavilion, he speaks to a massive crowd. He is very handsome, but there is something about him that Bimala does not like. She believes Sandip exploits her husband’s charitable nature. As he speaks, he wins her over with charisma and passion. That night, Nikhil comes home and says that Sandip has won him over. He will accompany him to speak in another town the next day. Bimala asks if he could stay with them that night; she would like to attend to him herself.

She dresses herself attractively. At dinner, Sandip is just as charming as when he spoke at the pavilion. He says that he is 27, and his horoscope says he will die young. He asks for some time alone with Nikhil, but makes her promise to return when they are done speaking.

When she returns, Sandip provokes an argument with Nikhil regarding the cult of Vande Mataram, a poem. Two of its verses have become the national song of India. They argue about the nature of patriotism, and whether God can truly show favor to all countries, given the ways in which various countries wage war with each other. Nikhil says that his ideals drive him. He will not steal or lie. He believes that morals are more important than nationalistic slogans. Proper living will result in proper countries.

Bimala does not agree with his position, although she admires Nikhil’s skill in debate. When Sandip asks for her opinion, she says that she wants good things for her country, and would do anything, including stealing. It is a passionate speech, and Sandip applauds her.

An old man named Chandranath enters. Nikhil tells Bimala that Chandranath is his master, of whom he has often spoken. She takes the dust from Chandranath’s feet.

Nikhil says his trial has finally come. He sees himself as unworthy and fears that his life has amounted to nothing. He is worried that Bimala’s impatience will ruin her. While admiring her passion, he fears that she does understand him. Nikhil believes that any coercion is a show of weakness, even though it masquerades as strength, including Sandip’s fiery, persuasive speech. Bimala’s infatuation with Sandip disturbs Nikhil. He wants to help her see that Sandip loves himself more than his country, and that his zealous patriotism is a way to aggrandize himself, but he does not know how to say it without upsetting her.

Nikhil reveals that he has known Chandranath for 30 years. Nikhil gives him credit for saving him, and says that his master fears nothing. Chandranath asks Nikhil if it is necessary for Sandip to continue to stay with them. At lunch, Nikhil says he has received a letter from Ranpur saying that he is selfishly detaining Sandip. He asks Sandip when he will be leaving. Nikhil sees Bimala’s disappointment. Sandip says he has been considering cutting down on his traveling. If he worked from a home base, he feels he could get more done. Sandip says Bimala has inspired him, and he will tell the workers to rally around her.

Later, Chandranath says that Nikhil is looking poorly and suggests that he and Bimala go to Darjeeling for a small vacation. But when Nikhil invites her, even though she has always wanted to see the Himalayas, she refuses.

Sandip ponders the nature of greed and force. He disdains religious preachers and weakness. He recalls a conversation he had with Nikhil on the same topics. Sandip believes that Nikhil has so little because he puts his faith in words, not strength and action. Metaphors will never produce results in the same way that force can.

Sandip knows that women find his passion seductive; he doesn’t renounce pleasure and embrace timidity. He thinks of Bimala and is determined to win her. He tells himself that if he does not win her, then he is a coward.