# Our Bengali Course Ends explained — My Reminiscences

> Chapter companion for My Reminiscences by Rabindranath Tagore.

## What happens

The narrator recounts the abrupt end of their Bengali lessons at home after their father, prompted by an overly archaic phrase used by Satya, decides they have studied enough. The chapter reflects on the bookish and joyless nature of their studies—reading physics without physical objects and using the epic Meghnadvadha as a grammar text—and celebrates the decision to stop, while acknowledging the value of being taught in their mother tongue.

## Themes in this chapter

### Literary Development and Self-Expression

The chapter critiques the mechanical teaching of literature and language, emphasizing that true learning comes from emotional engagement and mother-tongue instruction.

### Family and Mentorship

The narrator's third brother and father play key roles in shaping the educational path, with the brother's insistence on Bengali teaching earning the narrator's gratitude.

## Character check-ins

### Narrator

Reflects on the end of Bengali lessons and the value of mother-tongue education.

### Satya

Nephew and classmate who used an archaic phrase to ask the father for a book, prompting the end of lessons.

### Father DePeneranda

Decides to end the Bengali lessons after hearing Satya's archaic phrase.

### Munshi

Referred to as Nilkamal Babu, the Pandit who taught Bengali and gave parting words.

## Key lines

> To employ an epic to teach language is like using a sword to shave with—sad for the sword, bad for the chin.

Using a great literary work solely as a language textbook is inappropriate and wasteful.

_Metaphor criticizing the misuse of poetry for grammar instruction._

> Learning should as far as possible follow the process of eating. When the taste begins from the first bite, the stomach is awakened to its function before it is loaded, so that its digestive juices get full play.

Education should be enjoyable from the start, engaging the learner's interest so that understanding comes naturally.

_Analogy advocating for pleasurable and intuitive learning, especially in one's mother tongue._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_reminiscences_se/chapters/part-iii-xi-our-bengali-course-ends
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_reminiscences_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_reminiscences_se/chapters