Feminist Dimensions in Rabindranath Tagore's "Where the Mind is Without Fear"

Abstract: This paper explores Rabindranath Tagore’s “Where the Mind is Without Fear” through a feminist lens, reimagining the poem’s call for freedom, dignity, and enlightenment in the context of gender equality. While Tagore envisions a nation unshackled by fear and ignorance, a feminist interpretation expands this vision to emphasize liberation from patriarchal oppression and the systemic barriers faced by women and marginalized genders. The poem’s yearning for a world “where knowledge is free” and “the clear stream of reason has not lost its way” resonates deeply with feminist ideals of intellectual emancipation, bodily autonomy, and social justice. By aligning the poem’s ideals with feminist goals, this perspective underscores the necessity of inclusivity and intersectionality in the creation of a truly fearless and awakened society.