WHERE THE MIND IS WITHOUT FEAR
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.
Analysis and review of the poem by Okoro Amarachi Anastasia
This poem, written by Rabindranath Tagore. The poet envisions a nation where intellectual freedom, unity, and the pursuit of knowledge are valued. I must acknowledge the poet’s simplicity in the choice of words and the mild tone applied in his work. It’s a poem of one stanza with no rhymes scheme, although, it has rhythm. There is repetition of words in the poem such as “where”, “mind”, etc.
This poem stands out for its clarity and directness. It presents a concise and powerful vision for a transformed society, contrasting it with the limitations and divisions of the present. The poem's simplicity and universality make it resonate with readers across cultures and time periods, as it continues to inspire hope for a better future. Personally, I must point out that the poet has utopia view of life where the freedom flows is led by knowledge and wisdom of those who pluck themselves out from those ''domestic walls'' in order to make the world better. In other words, there is need of breaking down barriers and embracing diversity, fostering a society where individuals can strive for perfection without hindrance.
I also find this poem interesting for young people to read and learn from it. Understanding the need to gain freedom in acquisition of knowledge and application of wisdom. This bring about creative thinking and problem solving skills to the world leading to growth and development in the system. Another important point to factor out from poem is the need to eliminate fear, as it poses a strong limitations to ones mind. That's why it bears the title “WHERE THE MIND IS WITHOUT FEAR”