The Sailor by Rabindranath Tagore Line-by-Line Explanation Summary Meaning Themes & Critical Analysis

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 The sailor

-Rabindranath Tagore

The Sailor Boy



About the Poet:
Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore, a Nobel laureate in Literature, was a prominent Bengali polymath – a poet, philosopher, musician, and playwright. Born in 1861 in Calcutta, India, Tagore's literary and artistic contributions had a profound impact on Indian and world culture.


Background/Context of the Poem:

"The Sailor" is a poetic creation by Tagore that explores the yearning for exploration and adventure. It delves into the dreams of a young boy, expressing his desire to embark on a fantastical journey. The boat, belonging to Madhu, symbolizes a vessel waiting to set sail into the unexplored realms of imagination.

Central Message of the Poem:

The central message of "The Sailor" revolves around the yearning for freedom, exploration, and the pursuit of dreams. The protagonist's desire to steer away from the mundane and embark on an adventurous journey symbolizes the human spirit's inherent need for exploration and the pursuit of one's aspirations.


Detailed Stanza Wise Explanation, Summary, and Meaning:


Stanza 1: The boat of Madhu, the boatman, is anchored in Rajgunj. It's burdened with jute and has been idle for a long time. The poet expresses a longing for the boat, wishing Madhu would lend it. The boat represents untapped potential and unfulfilled dreams.

Stanza 2: The poet envisions himself at the helm, steering the boat with a hundred oars and hoisting multiple sails. He rejects the idea of steering it to mundane markets, expressing a desire to sail the mystical seas and rivers of fairyland.


Stanza 3: The poet reassures his mother that he won't disappear like Ramachandra into the forest for fourteen years. Instead, he dreams of becoming the protagonist of his own tale, filling the boat with whatever he desires. His friend Ashu will accompany him on this joyous voyage.


Stanza 4: The journey begins in the early morning light. While his mother bathes at noon, they will be in a strange king's land, passing through Tirpurni's ford and leaving the desert of Tepantar behind.


Stanza 5: As they return in the evening, the poet promises to share tales of their adventures. Crossing the seven seas and thirteen rivers of fairyland signifies a grand, mythical journey beyond the ordinary.



Major Themes of the Poem:

  1. Yearning for Adventure: The poem reflects a deep-seated desire for exploration and adventure, breaking away from the ordinary and mundane.


  3. Imagination and Dreams: The boat becomes a vessel for the poet's imagination, representing the boundless possibilities and dreams that one can pursue.


  5. Freedom from Conventions: The rejection of steering the boat to "stupid markets" symbolizes a defiance of societal norms and a quest for individual fulfillment. In essence, "The Sailor" beautifully captures the essence of human longing for the extraordinary, using the metaphor of a boat to navigate the waters of imagination and dreams.

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