The Home and the World

Nikhil, pondering the nature of what a wife truly is, calls into question his own identity as a husband. He recognizes that he is not expressive. He feels practically nothing but a vague self-pity. He views himself as passive, unable to do anything but receive. It is clear to him that Bimala is languishing because he is not present in any real way. He remembers they spent their first two married years apart while he was in Calcutta. Seven more years have passed. Now he believes he is starting the next phase of his life. He goes into their bedroom to get a book and look at her clothes and jewels. When she enters behind him, he says he is only there to get Amiel’s journal. He leaves, feeling like an invader in his own home.

While Nikhil is outside, Panchu, a  neighbor of lower status, approaches him with a basket of nuts. Nikhil offers him money, but Panchu says the nuts are repayment for  nuts he once stole from Nikhil’s garden. This show of integrity lightens Nikhil’s heart. Panchu toils to provide a meager living for his family—his refusal to accept charity is impressive. After Panchu leaves, Nikhil compares himself to an empty house that no one comes to visit.

Bengal experiences a time of political unrest, but the details are not given. Bimala listens to Nikhil and Sandip’s frequent arguments and thinks about her future. She sees herself with no children, no family, consumed by a yearning she does not know how to fill. She wonders if she will wander in darkness forever.

Every home in the village, except Nikhil’s, has banished foreign goods. Bimala recognizes the hypocrisy. Until Swadeshi became a rallying cry, everyone had hated it. Now they use it to judge her husband. Rani does not care. She asks her brother to buy her many trinkets and luxuries, and he always indulges her. When Bimala confronts her about this, Rani laughs. She says it gives Nikhil pleasure to buy her things, and she will not take that away from him. Bimala thinks that a woman is an intoxicant for a man’s judgment, and not always a good influence.

Sandip decrees that all foreign goods must be banished from Suksar, a large trade center in their district. Bimala is stimulated by his speeches and is ready for a fight. Sandip asks her to entertain a young boy, one of his devotees. The next day, he tells her that her presence turned the boy into a passionate firebrand. Bimala, impressed with her own glory, summons Nikhil to her.

Panchu’s wife dies of consumption. Panchu is required to undergo a purification ceremony, which means he has to pay 123 rupees to the community. Nikhil urges him not to pay it, but he must. After the funeral, Panchu becomes obsessed with philosophy and eventually wanders away from his children. He returns a month later and agrees to take a small loan from Chandranath. Panchu is displeased, though. He would have preferred that Chandranath give him the money as a gift. After two months of bartering, he has been able to pay back a sizable portion, although Chandranath is falling in his esteem.

During vacation time, Sandip draws many students to him. Under his instruction, they approach Nikhil and demand that he banish his foreign goods. Nikhil refuses. Chandranath argues with them on Nikhil’s behalf and the students leave.