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- What was Tagore’s first lecture in English and where was it delivered?
Tagore’s first lecture in English was ‘The centre of Indian Culture’ in which he issued a warning against narrow nationalism, which regards other cultures as inferior and valueless, and one’s own as superior.
It was delivered in Madras on 9th Feb 1919.
- How according to Tagore did the people of India then look upon its culture?
According to Tagore, people of contemporary India were narrow-minded. They didn’t have a broader outlook of the world. One section of the people used to regard other cultures as inferior while putting excessive importance to their own.
There was another section, which held their culture in contempt until it was extolled by foreign scholars.
- Summarise the mistake made by the pupil of the Anglo vernacular school in Allahabad. Why was he called a clever fellow as well as an unfortunate mite?
The pupil of the Anglo vernacular school, when asked about the definition of a river, gave a correct reply but this unfortunate fellow had not seen any river in reality.
He was called a clever fellow because though living at the confluence of Ganges and Jumna, he could give a perfect answer on river owing to his bookish knowledge. He was called an unfortunate mite because he didn’t have a clear idea of a river.
- How was the condition of people of India similar to that of the pupil concerning culture?
Much like that of the pupil, the condition of Indians at that time was disappointing and confusing. Indians didn’t have any pride or knowledge of their culture. It was because they knew little. However, when they came to know about the greatness of their culture from foreign scholars they lost their discretion and developed excessive pride. This condition manifested their self-flattering attitude towards their country and culture.
- What is Shibboleth?
Any phrase or idiom or a catchword used to distinguish the members of a clan or a linguistic denomination is called shibboleth.
It is a Hebrew word meaning ‘Ear of corn’. In modern sense, it implies a word or a proverb that does not hold good in progressive context. It is understood as any outdated or unacceptable idea.
- What remedy does Tagore offer in view of numerous approaches to see one’s culture? What are the possible benefits of such suggestions?
Tagore wanted India to be a great country, which would share its knowledge and achievement with other countries. He dreamt of an India that would be free from prejudices and false pride regarding culture. In this way, his country of vision would learn the best from other countries and cultures.
It is so because only by sharing our best we can make our existence worthy.
- What is the cause of our culture being billed superstitious and full of shortcomings? Why is European culture not so?
According to the author, no culture is entirely free from superstition and shortcomings. A time came in our history when all movements got confined within the geographical barriers of our country.
There was no contact with other enlightened culture of that time. So flaws like casteism etc crept into our culture.
In European context, it was not so because they did not restrict movement and advancement in science drove away the little flaws it contained.
- What changes were brought about in intellectual circle of Europe by the shibboleth – The struggle for existence?
Struggle for existence is a phrase coined by Charles Darwin in his famous theory of evolution. According to Tagore, this scientific shibboleth coloured Europe’s vision. This shibboleth freed Europe of its narrow mindedness and ushered her into a broader and scientific outlook. As a result, they began to apply this thought into every aspect of human life. It defined their politics, literature and general outlook.
- How was the shibboleth found altered in view of more progressive thoughts?
The struggle for existence was succeeded by a more progressive thought. It was argued that forces that form the basis of natural selection is the power of sympathy or the power to combine. This idea brought about a rapid change in the political sphere of Europe as they discovered the value of sympathy and co-operation.
- What is the doctrine of special creation?
In the past as well as in the present times some races believe that they are specially created by God. Alternately, God might have had some lofty purpose in creating them. For Eg —the Jews regard themselves as the chosen subjects of their, God ‘Yahweh’.
- What is the point of view of the author in regard to the doctrine of special creation?
According to the author the doctrine of special creation is no longer valid and the idea of a specially favoured race denotes a savage mindset. Today’s world wholly depends on the universal truth of co-existence and co-operation. Any special truth or doctrine that is cut off from the universal is not true at all, as it condemns a country to utter backwardness.
- Explain the term ‘Sophisticated Foolishness’.
While deliberating on the situation of a student of the Anglo-vernacular school, Tagore used the term ‘sophisticated foolishness’ to highlight a section of Indian society.
Previously the pupil had limited knowledge and was full of self-pity but after hearing about the true characteristics of his country, he became too much excited and look upon other countries as mere trifles. He is full of vanity and is given to self-flattery in deeds and words. So though informed and enlightened, he is more of a fool, who is useless to his country.
