The Home and the World

Caricatures of Nikhil begin appearing in local newspapers. The rumors say everyone in Nikhil’s estates supports Swadeshi, but cannot admit it out of anxiety about the consequences they will suffer. A threatening letter is published, showing a list of people whose treasuries have been destroyed because they did not support the Cause. Nikhil summons some of the students to talk with him. They argue about whether governments can be obeyed out of anything besides fear. They say Sandip’s teachings have convinced them that in order to get, you must snatch.

Nikhil mourns their ignorance and that the most educated among them is unable to recognize the truth. One night, he walks through the outer apartments and sees Bimala lying on the grass. He tells her that he frees her from obligations and will no longer fetter her happiness. She does not speak. When he returns to his room, Chandranath is there. They agree that as long as they keep trying to help their countrymen, they will be able to die happy.

Bimala feels naïve. Having a man like Sandip throw himself at her feet convinced her that her husband would not be able to deny her anything. She went to her room and saw nothing but trivial objects. Any sense of importance she had felt is gone. It is revealed that she had been lying on the grass, watching the building where the money was kept, trying to figure out how to get it. Later, she enlists Amulya to help. Amulya is prepared to bribe the watchmen and shoot the cashier, which shocks her. Sandip’s teachings have taken root too deeply in him. His formerly sweet demeanor is gone. Bimala asks for the pistol, as a reverence offering. He gives it to her.