A Study Of The Nature Imagery In Tagore's Poetry

Tagore's poetry is full of nature imagery which is used to express the deep meaning of his Brahmatmaikyam doctrine,his ideas about the realization of life,and the reconciliation between the finite and the infinite.The purpose of this dissertation is to analyze the religious and philosophical meaning of the nature imagery in Tagore's poetry,namely,the Brahmatmaikyam.Drawing on New Criticism's "close reading" method of literary analysis,this dissertation focuses on the exploration of two issues:one is the two basic concepts of Atman and Brahman in Indian religious philosophy;the other is the core concept of Brahmatmaikyam in Indian religious philosophy.Other critical methods employed in this dissertation are the Statistical Analysis and the Geocriticism,which are helpful to explore the quantitative and geographical factors that influence Tagore's nature imagery.Regarding the constructure of the dissertation,the introduction offers a general exposition of the current state of the research on Tagore's works in the world and explains the feasibility of the study.The first chapter focuses on the statistical analysis of five forms of nature imagery:flora,fauna,mountain,river,heavenly bodies and season.The occurrence of images like dusks,birds,lotuses and trees are shown in the tables.In this chapter,the author will argue that in Tagore's poetry there are four patterns of meaning of nature imagery:whole,collective,symbolist and mystical,and three recurrent aesthetic characters:vividly dynamic beauty,static beauty and harmonious beauty.The second chapter deals with the basic notion of Atman in Tagore's poetry.In this chapter,the auther explores the portrayal of the life of the Atman,his awakening and the actions he performs to gain freedom.The concept of Atman not only refers to human beings but to all the creation.The feelings of the Atman,happiness,anger and sorrow mirror the religious philosophy of the Brahmatmaikyam doctrine.The third chapter discusses the notion of Brahma and its relation with other images.Firstly,the author suggests that the concept of Brahman not only refers to the creation of flowers,grass,trees,wind,clouds,storms,the sun,moon,or stars,but also to metaphysical meanings.Secondly,the author proposes that the eternity of nature imagery symbolizes the immortality of Brahman.Thirdly,the author suggests that the Dharma of the Brahman is revealed by the Paramatman and the Ultimate Truth.The paramatman is closely related to the nature imagery that symbolizes the bride,and marriage,etc.The Ultimate Truth is expressed by the inner harmony of the changing natural world,and the creator.Lastly,the author explores the ambiguous relationship between Brahman and the creation as dynamic and static,far and near,finite and infinite,and their coexistence in nature.The inner harmony and unity between the Brahma and the creation are revealed by love which is the forceful unity.Love is not only a force that links Brahman and the creation as a whole,but also makes the creation obtain the moksha.The fourth chapter focuses on the syncretic relationship of Atma and Brahman.As a self among human beings,the Atman can discover the Brahmatmaikyam in social practices,and death and marriage are especially meaningful.As a creature of nature,the Atman can discover Brahmatmaikyam by the means of affirmation or denial.He can discover it in nature,since Brahman and all the natural life are one.Through death and marriage,the Brahmatmaikyam can also be discovered,since it is present in human and natural life.The Brahmatmaikyam between human beings,nature and Brahman not only can be realized by the measure of materiazation,but also by the inner unity of the three.It is concluded that:firstly,the nature imagery of his poetry contains deep connotations of religious philosophy;secondly,nature imagery and the point of view of nature are one and the same;thirdly,Tagore's inspiration not only comes from the geographical condition of his surroundings but also from his father The nature imagery in his poetry is influenced by ancient Indian religious philosophy.Finally,Tagore's Brahmatmaikyam doctrine inherits and mixes eastern and western religious,philosophical and literary thinking.