Portrayal of Valour of Woman Protagonists in Rabindranath Tagore’s Giribala

Abstract

Rabindranath Tagore has contributed immensely to the development of Indian literature as a writer. His works are emblematic of the salient features of Indian patriarchal society. He has also depicted the status of women in Indian society in the context of male domination leading to the suffering and exploitation of women in the 19th century. “Giribala” is one of the finest stories dealing with an ordinary woman demonstrating extraordinary courage to protect her dignity and identity. The protagonist challenges the traditional stereotypes of women as caretakers, wives, slaves, commodities, and mothers. As an innovative educator, Tagore often urges women to search for freedom, decision-making power, and establish their rightful identity in the fabric of society. This research paper is an attempt to investigate the valour of the female protagonist leading to a new identity.