Phatik, a naughty and fun-loving fourteen-year-old boy, has developed a reputation for it.

His
younger brother Makhan sat on the log in front of him when he was with other village lads to agitate
him. Phatik warns that if he doesn’t go, he would shove him to the ground. However, this threat is
ignored. Phatik pushes the log off while swallowing his fright because he couldn’t lose face in front of
the other boys. Makhan beats Phatik out of hatred despite being hurt. When Makhan gets home, he
instantly tells his mother the lies. His mother shares his convictions. Before a stranger who turns out
to be the mother’s brother comes, Phatik punches his sibling out of rage. His mother gives her
consent for his uncle, Bishmaber, to bring Phatik to Calcutta with him so that he can receive an
education. His mother was only too willing to concur. His mother was troubled by his presence since
she constantly feared that he might end up endangering Makhan. She becomes upset, though,
because Phatik is just as eager to escape. Calcutta wasn’t any better, though. He wasn’t loved by his
aunt. He was considered a bother by others. He was unhappy. He yearned to return home. Phatik
had a terrible time in school as well. He was unable to fit in or win over the teachers. He finally finds
the confidence, out of desperation, to ask his uncle when he could return home. The only response
from his uncle was that he could come back during the holidays. He misplaces his book one day, and
as a result, his aunt and fellow students scold him and correct him. The following day when he gets
home, Phatik attempts to get away. He is however caught in a downpour and has a serious malarial
cold. Unable to locate him, his uncle reported him to the police. He receives more criticism once the
cops track him down and bring him home. He sobs, unable to take it any longer.

Phatik begs his mother not to beat him in a fever-induced hallucination, even as he longs to go back
home. Tagore sharply criticizes society’s treatment of teens when he notes that not a single person
made an effort to comprehend the emotional pain he was experiencing. Even if his mother seemed
to regret her choices after the novel, it is too late to undo the suffering her son had to go through.
Phatik’s mother forbids him from entering his early teens. Perhaps for this reason, she is happy to
have Bishambar take him to Calcutta. It is clear to the reader that Phatik’s mother is powerless to
control him. She is to blame for something, not Phatik.

The conclusion of the story is especially intriguing because it makes it plain to the reader that Phatik
is insane as a result of his disease. He thinks that the holidays (October) have arrived when he sees
his mother. However, everyone in the room is aware that Phatik is dying and is in critical condition.
What was once a healthy youngster has in such a short time turned into a weak wreck. It’s possible
that Tagore was implying that Phatik shouldn’t have been removed from his familiar village setting.
Some kids will be successful in the city or at school. That kind of character was not Phatik. Despite
being a lover of nature, he passed away in Calcutta’s walls. Bishambar cannot be held responsible for
what occurred, though. He was merely attempting to assist Phatik. The two mothers that appear in
the story cannot be claimed to be the same. Both Phatik’s mother, who was impatient and eager to
get rid of Phatik, and Bishambar’s wife, who thought Phatik was just a clumsy small child. whom she
truly wanted nothing to do with.

The Homecoming | Analysis

Phatik Chakravorti is battling to find a place where he feels loved, and the title of Rabindranath
Tagore’s short story “The Homecoming” fits this struggle. Throughout the narrative, Phatik moves
around, and escaping results in his demise. Phatik has a visit from his mother just before he passes
away, who shows him a rare act of affection. Phatik suggests that this maternal love stands in for the
ideal of a home he longs for. The story of Phatik involves multiple crossroads that involve returning
home, both figuratively and literally, making the title apt.
The narrative illustrates the dynamics of power, deception, and action results. It alludes to a more
thorough investigation of character development and the effects of other people’s behaviors. The
predicament in which Phatik, the cheeky and unruly youngster, suffers from misunderstanding and
false accusations is ironic. The irony is that Makhan is the stereotypical well-behaved and quiet
youngster, whereas Phatik is wrongfully accused of beating him even though he routinely gets into
mischief through no fault of his own.

When Phatik’s mother shares her worries about his behavior and her worry that he could somehow
hurt Makhan, there is foreshadowing. This foreshadows the subsequent events that lead to Phatik’s
departure for Calcutta, highlighting the tense dynamic between the two brothers and the
miscommunication on the mother’s end. Phatik is skilfully portrayed by the author as a rebellious
and troublemaking boy, in contrast to Makhan, who is shown to be submissive and composed. The
contrast between Phatik and Makhan’s characters is made clear by the descriptions of Phatik’s rash
deeds and Makhan’s meekness.

The conversation between the characters displays their feelings, disagreements, and connections.
For instance, the tension and family strife in the scene are expressed by Phatik’s furious denial, his
mother’s accusations, Makhan’s meek affirmation, and Phatik’s last explosion. The introduction of
Bishamber marks a metaphorical turning point in the narrative. He offers to take Phatik away and
give him schooling in Calcutta, posing as a potential solution to the family’s issues. The character’s
presence denotes the possibility for improvement, optimism, and a chance for Phatik to find
salvation. The battle between Phatik and Makhan, the psychological conflict between Phatik and his
mother, and the conflict between Phatik and social expectations are only a few of the conflicts that
are shown throughout the novel. The tension created by these tensions propels the tale onward.

The story’s central themes are the brothers’ divergent personalities and the lack of understanding
between their parents and siblings. The issues that occur in sibling relationships are highlighted by
the poor connection between Phatik and Makhan and the choice to send Phatik away as a result. To
convey Phatik’s yearning for his village and his sense of suffocation in his aunt’s home, the author
uses powerful images. Through sensory descriptions, Phatik’s want to return home, the contrast
between the boundless countryside and the constrained cityscape, and his memories of the meadow
and riverbanks are all represented. Phatik’s devotion to his mother is described by the author using a
simile –

“like the lowing of a calf in the twilight.”

This analogy stirs up a powerful, basic sense of attachment and longing. Through Phatik’s emotional
challenges and hardships, the narrative elicits sorrow. The reader can relate to Phatik’s feelings of
isolation, desire for home, academic challenges, and family’s lack of interest in and scorn for him. As
a result, the reader feels a connection to the character.

The misplaced textbook takes on a metaphorical meaning as a depiction of Phatik’s solitude and
failure. His misery is made worse by its loss, and he becomes more and more desperate. The
statement of Phatik’s awful headache and shivering foreshadows his impending fever and his escape
from his aunt’s home as well as his declining health. Ironically, Phatik wanted to go home and leave
his aunt’s house, but he was forced to return. The predicament draws attention to the contrast
between Phatik’s yearning for home and his hopeless fate. The author emphasizes Phatik’s physical
discomfort, his academic difficulties, and his need for affection and attention as a socially
uncomfortable and misunderstood young man. The reader feels more pity for him because of his
alienation and the taunting of his cousins and aunt. This story heavily emphasizes the themes of
yearning for home, a sense of belonging, and the challenges of adjusting to new environments. The
issue of dislocation and the craving for familiarity is highlighted by Phatik’s attachment to his mother,
yearning for his village, and his desperate attempts to get back home. The way the author depicts
Phatik’s inner struggle, longing for his home, and declining health engenders empathy and wanting
to know how the story will end.

Phatik’s muttering about his mother hitting him and his need for her to be there represent his sincere
need for love, acceptance, and reunification within his family. His need for his mother is an
expression of his desire for emotional connection and conflict resolution. Foreshadowing Phatik’s
worsening state and the seriousness of his illness is the description of his dismay as he turns his face
to the wall and his following sigh. The mother’s emotional reaction as well as the conversation
between Bishamber and Phatik heighten the scene’s emotional effect. Phatik’s muttering and
hesitant reaction to his mother’s tears reveal his dwindling awareness and the touching moment
they had. Phatik’s slim, scorching hands, his agitated motions, and his gradual head turn paint a vivid
and moving picture of his mental and emotional state. The emotional culmination of the narrative,
when Phatik’s mother finally shows up and professes her love for him, profoundly affects the reader.
This causes me to feel sad, sympathetic, and cathartic. This portion emphasizes the topic of
reconciliation, forgiveness, and the desire for love and acceptance.

Phatik’s final acknowledgment of his mother’s presence and his mention of the approaching holidays
signify a moment of closure and the satisfaction of his intense emotional need. The story’s emotional
climax and resolution are described by the author. The reader is moved by the ending, which tackles
themes of love, forgiveness, and the yearning for a sense of belonging through symbols, dialogue,
and imagery.

In Rabindranath Tagore’s short story “The Homecoming,” the character of Phatik stands out as a
poignant representation of a child whose feelings and experiences go unnoticed and
unacknowledged by those around him. Throughout the narrative, it becomes clear that Phatik’s
struggles stem from a lack of understanding and empathy from the people in his life, ultimately
leading to a sense of isolation and despair. This essay delves into the portrayal of Phatik in Tagore’s
“The Homecoming”.

Phatik’s apathetic mother:

At the story’s beginning, Phatik is seen as a mischievous young boy who is unjustly shouted at by his
mother. While rolling over a log, Phatik hurts his brother Makhan. It is seen that Makhan’s
stubbornness led to him getting hurt. Consequently, Makhan rises “from Mother Earth blind” and
rushes to beat up Phatik. Then he goes home crying.

As soon as Phatik came to his house, his mother angrily shouted, “So you have been hitting Mākhan
again?” She did not even verify the truth of Makhan’s accusations and started reprimanding Phatik.
When Phatik denied the allegations, his mother yelled, “Don’t tell lies! You have”. Although Phatik
tried explaining his innocence, Makhan stuck to his false accusations, “Yes, mother. Phatik did hit
me”. Unable to bear this injustice, Phatik hits his brother. Immediately, his mother took Makhan’s
side, dragged Phatik aside, and beat him with her hands. This shows the apathetic nature of Phatik’s
mother, who does not understand him and is biased towards his brother.

The discovery of sorrow in his aunt’s house:

Phatik finds himself caught in a whirlwind of events as the narrative progresses. Bishamber, his
mother’s brother, takes the overjoyed Phatik to Kolkata to educate him. However, soon, this joy turns
into sorrow. He becomes an unwelcomed “guest in his aunt’s house” and is “slighted on every
occasion”.

No one acknowledged his feelings in his aunt’s house. The “cramped atmosphere of neglect”
oppressed him. He finally mustered up the courage to ask his uncle one day, “Uncle, when can I go
home?”. Bishamber responded by saying, “Wait till the holidays”. However, there was still a long way
to go until the holidays, which would not arrive until October.

Phatik became the most “backward boy in the whole school” as he was not able to fit in his new
surroundings. Neither was he able to answer the questions the teachers asked him, nor could he play
with the other boys. Moreover, due to the loss of his book, Phatik was unable to prepare his lessons.
This resulted in the teacher caning him mercilessly without understanding the reason for his
problems.

The tragic consequences in Tagore’s story:

Subsequently, Phatik had a “bad headache with a fit of shivering”, an attack of malarial fever. He was
afraid of becoming a burden to his uncle’s family, so he ran away. No one was able to trace him amid
torrential rain. The police were able to trace him and bring him back. He was drenched in the rain
and “muddy all over, his face and eyes flushed red with fever and his limbs trembling”. His aunt
exclaimed, “What a heap of trouble this boy has given us! Hadn’t you better send him home?”.
Phatik, in a fit of fever, replied that he was going home. This shows the apathetic atmosphere in
which he lived, which results in his tragedy.

He became delirious with fever and started dreaming about being beaten by his mother, “Mother! I
am telling the truth!”. Bishamber wiped his tears and took care of Phatik through the night. The
doctor informed the uncle the next day that Phatik’s health was worsening. Hearing this, Bishamber
sent for his mother. At last, when Phatik met his mother, he “slowly turned his head and without
seeing anybody”, exclaimed, “Mother, the holidays have come”.

Conclusion:

Thus, Phatik’s character in Tagore’s “The Homecoming” provides a compelling argument about the
detrimental effects of a lack of understanding and empathy towards children. Through the depiction
of Phatik’s struggles and ultimate tragedy, Tagore highlights the importance of recognising and
validating the emotions and experiences of young individuals.

In The Home-Coming by Rabindranath Tagore, reflects the struggle of an adolescent boy due to

separation and isolation from his mother, brother and community. Phatik was the elder son of a
widow. He

was quite mischievous and always got into petty skirmishes with his brother Makhan. Once while
playing,

his brother disobeyed him. Makhan did not listen to his brother Phatik when he told him to get off
the log.
Phatik instructed his friends to roll the log over and Makhan fell off. This caused Makhan to hit
Phatik.

Phatik’s mother got annoyed by troubles caused by Phatik. Being a single mother she felt it
intolerable,

though such things are common among children.

At the right time his uncle Bishamber came from Calcutta. Hearing the complaints of his sister,

Bishamber decided to take Phatik to Calcutta. The innocent Phatik was taken to Calcutta. “He was on
pins

and needles all day long with excitement and lay awake most of the night. He bequeathed to
Makhan, in

perpetuity, his fishing-rod, his big kite, and his marbles... his generosity was unbounded” (Home
Coming

27). The young tender heart did not realise what future was in store for him. First few days were
happy but

the reality dawned on him gradually. For a village bred child, city life was very different. He could not
get

adapted. His school days were not delightful instead he had to endure beating by teachers or by
some of the

other students. Once, Phatik used to be the leader of his gang. But now he felt isolated and forlorn.
In

Calcutta things were very much different. Life was not what he thought it to be.

Psychologists call this adolescent period a critical one in a child’s life. They say “Adolescence is the

transition from childhood to adulthood, which involves physical, cognitive and socio-emotional
changes.

The storm and stress view of adolescence sees this developmental period as a turbulent time period
with

stress, conflict and mood swings” (Santrock). In his heart of heart, a young lad missed his mother,
friends

and brother. “... a longing to be in the presence of the one who is loved, an inexpressible wistfulness
during

absence, a silent cry of the inmost heart for the mother, like the lowing of calf in the twlight,... No
one could

understand it, but it preyed upon his mind continually.” (HC28, 29). It was a critical age which longed
for

love and affection but he got scolding and insults only. Every act of his bungled, nothing gave
happiness.

© 2019 JETIR March 2019, Volume 6, Issue 3 www.jetir.org (ISSN-2349-5162)

JETIR1903F06 Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR) www.jetir.org 39

In the city, the village bred boy was backward in studies too. He patiently suffered the blows

received from the teacher. He could never find a suitable friend or companion to understand his
misery.

Every minute, his heart longed for his home, he was nostalgic. “And if by chance he espied children

playing on the open terrace of any roof, his heart would ache with longing” ( HC29). One day he
summoned

courage and asked his uncle when he could go home. His uncle replied to him to wait till the
holidays. But

it would take a long time for the holidays. In the meantime, he lost his lesson books and got caned
daily.

He was afraid to tell his aunt. Finally, when she heard it she remarked with contempt: “you great
clumsy,

country lout! How can I afford, with all my family, to buy you new books five times a month?” (HC 29)

This came as a final blow to the boy. He could not face his aunt and kept away the whole right. He
got

drenched in the heavy rains. The next day the police brought him home. The boy trembled with
fever. The

aunt was unhappy. The boy confessed that he had been trying to go home and not be a burden to
them

anymore. His fever became high and he turned delirious. His eyes searched for his mother. This
clearly

brings out the cravings of a child.

This depicted that Phatik was gravely ill and about to die. The bright and active boy had been

reduced to a frail wreck in such a short period of time. Phatik’s mother had given up her son due to
her

impatience. His aunt, Bishamber’s wife accused him of being an awkward young boy. For a young boy
in

his adolescence these things were enough to ruin his future. Naturally, it might have broken the
heart of the

child. The fact that one’s mother had given up her child would remain as a scar forever. This
suppressed

sorrow ultimately led to Phatik’s premature death. Neither women had shown Phatik the love he
deserved at

that age which longed for love, affection and tenderness.