The Home and the World · Chapter
XXI explained
Bimala is making cakes for Amulya when the Bara Rani informs her of a raid on one of their treasuries.
What happens
Bimala is making cakes for Amulya when the Bara Rani informs her of a raid on one of their treasuries. Bimala feels relieved, thinking it is their own money, and plans to have Amulya return it to Nikhil. She secretly takes the key to the safe and finds it empty, confirming the theft. Amulya sends a note saying he will be late, and Bimala realizes the gravity of her actions. Nikhil is distant and troubled, and the police bring Panchu to the palace. The Bara Rani mentions a planned trip to Calcutta, and Bimala reflects on her impending fate and her reverence for Amulya.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Self-Deception
Bimala deceives her family by hiding the key and pretending to dress, while also deceiving herself about the possibility of the money being returned.
Gender Roles and Women's Liberation
Bimala reflects on how women live on trust and how betrayal leads to loss of place in their world, highlighting the constraints on women.
Idealism vs. Pragmatism
Bimala's idealistic view of Amulya as a self-sacrificing hero contrasts with the practical consequences of the theft and the impending exposure.
Characters to notice
- Bimala
Bimala makes cakes for Amulya, secretly takes the safe key, and finds the safe empty. She struggles with guilt and fear of exposure.
- Bara Rani
Bara Rani informs Bimala of the treasury raid and expresses concern about the safety of her money, planning to send it to Calcutta.
- Nikhil
Nikhil is late for his meal, absentminded, and leaves unfinished when Panchu is brought by the police inspector.
- Amulya
Amulya sends a note to Bimala saying he will be late, indicating he is going to return the money, and Bimala reveres him as her boy-god.
- Panchu
Panchu is brought to the palace by the police inspector, causing Nikhil to leave his meal.
Key passages
“I had just sat down to make some cakes for Amulya when the Bara Rani came upon the scene.”
Bimala was preparing cakes for Amulya when her sister-in-law arrived.
Sets the scene for the chapter.
“A gang of five or six hundred men, they say, has raided one of our treasuries and made off with six thousand rupees.”
A large group of men reportedly looted one of their treasuries, taking six thousand rupees.
Bara Rani informs Bimala of the raid.
“I took the key of the iron safe off the ring and kept it by me, hidden in the folds of my dress.”
Bimala secretly took the safe key and concealed it in her clothing.
Bimala's act of theft.
“Alas, everything was empty as the trust which had been betrayed.”
The safe was empty, just like the trust that had been broken.
Bimala realizes the money is gone.
“To sin is easy enough, but to make up for it is above all difficult for a woman.”
Committing a sin is easy, but for a woman, making amends is extremely difficult.
Bimala reflects on her predicament.