"Baby's World" is a delightful and imaginative poem by Rabindranath Tagore that captures the wonder and innocence of a baby's perspective on the world. The poem portrays the world from the viewpoint of a baby, envisioning it as a magical and enchanting place full of playful elements. Tagore uses vivid imagery to describe how the baby's world is filled with stars that communicate, a sky that interacts, and inanimate objects that come to life with stories and toys.
"Baby's World" by Rabindranath Tagore
I wish I could take a quiet corner in the heart of my baby's very own world.
I know it has stars that talk to him, and a sky that stoops
down to his face to amuse him with its silly clouds and rainbows.
Those who make believe to be dumb, and look as if they never
could move, come creeping to his window with their stories and with
trays crowded with bright toys.
I wish I could travel by the road that crosses baby's mind,
and out beyond all bounds;
Where messengers run errands for no cause between the kingdoms
of kings of no history;
Where Reason makes kites of her laws and flies them, the Truth
sets Fact free from its fetters.
Summary
"Baby's World" portrays the enchanting and imaginative world as seen through the eyes of a baby. The poem describes how the baby's world is filled with stars that communicate, a playful sky, and inanimate objects that come to life with stories and toys. The poem expresses the wish to enter the baby's world and experience its magical and boundless nature.
Critical Analysis
The poem captures the magical perspective of a baby's imagination and perception of the world.
The description of stars that "talk to him" and a sky that "stoops down to his face" reflects the playful and animated nature of the baby's world.
The lines "Those who make believe to be dumb" suggest the baby's belief that even inanimate objects and creatures can communicate with him, emphasizing the baby's innocent perspective.
The poem introduces the concept of traveling by "the road that crosses baby's mind," indicating a journey through the imaginative and unbounded world of the baby's thoughts.
The imagery of "messengers run errands for no cause" and "kings of no history" portrays the nonsensical and whimsical nature of the baby's world.
The poem uses metaphors like Reason making "kites of her laws" and Truth setting "Fact free from its fetters" to depict the creative and limitless aspects of the baby's perception.
Themes
- Imagination and Innocence: The poem celebrates the imaginative and innocent perspective of a baby, where the world is alive with magical and playful elements.
- Wonder and Discovery: The poem captures the sense of wonder and discovery that comes with viewing the world through the eyes of a baby.
- Boundlessness: The poem portrays the baby's world as limitless and unbounded, where even reason and reality are transformed into creative and playful elements.
Attitudes/Feelings
- Delight and Curiosity: The poem conveys a sense of delight and curiosity, expressing the desire to experience and understand the world from the baby's perspective.
Literary Devices
- Imagery: The poem uses vivid imagery to describe the stars, sky, and objects of the baby's world.
- Metaphor: The metaphor of "Reason makes kites of her laws" symbolizes the creative and whimsical nature of the baby's perception.
Discussion Question
How does "Baby's World" by Rabindranath Tagore capture the enchanting and imaginative perspective of a baby's view of the world? How does the poem convey the sense of boundlessness and creativity in the baby's perception?