REPRESENTATION OF INDIAN TRADITION AND PATRIARCHAL DOMINANCE IN TAGORE’S “PUNISHMENT”

In this study an investigation has been made to show how Rabindranath Tagore has represented the tradition of India and the dominance of patriarchy in his short story “Punishment”. The author does so smoothly through his depiction of the wretched condition of the women during pre-independent India. What is commonly found in the stories of Tagore is basically the life sketch of the common people and “Punishment” is not exceptional. However, unlike the novels and poetry where the plot includes romantic themes, the author’s short stories in general and “Punishment” in particular focuses on the sufferings of the margin and downtrodden. In the concerned story, Tagore has highlighted the pitiful condition of women, who are victims of the patriarchal system ages after ages. Through the major female characters of the story, the writer has shown both―the tradition of India as reflected through their behaviour and activities of day to day life; and how they succumbs to the injustice and submit themselves in front of the male members of their family. The story imparts a strong message to the readers that there should be an end to the uneven social structure and women should be readily given their right to live a better life maintaining an identity of their own.