Published Paper Details:

Abstract Gora is a novel by the Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore with the themes of politics, religion, liberation, universalism, humanism, gender, feminism, caste, class and orthodox versus modernity. Current study is focussed on asserting voices of women against orthodoxy. First reform moment of the status of Indian women took place during the 19th century in Kolkata, during the time period of British Raj. In the novel, female characters Sucharita, Anandamoyi, Lalita and Brodasundari are asserting their voice against orthodoxy. Harimohini is orthodoxical female character. Sucharita is introduced as the central female character. Sucharita revolts against orthodox. She becomes liberal after her acquaintances with Gora and Binoy. She refuses to marry Haran because of his dogmatic outlook and arrogant behaviour. In the beginning she finds Gora orthodox, superstitious and arrogant. But in the course of time she understands him and sympathizes with him. She is free from the narrow sectarian outlook that is the reason she encourages marriage between Lalita a Brahmo girl and Binoy a Hindu boy. Anandamoyi is the liberal face of Hinduism. She is against any kind of orthodoxy. She is the mother of Gora (orphan). She shows the same love and affection for Gora's friend Binoy. She supports Binoy's marriage with Lalita and does not hesitate to oppose Gora. She also warns him about his religious fanaticism and never accepts his orthodoxical views. Orthodoxically duties of men and women are divided but Lalita was against this orthodoxical division of duties. She starts a school to serve people by teaching. She wants to join the National Movement and participate in the cause of the upliftment of the country. All these women characters are not only asserting their voice against orthodoxy but they are also getting success in changing the views, behavior and attitude of characters like Gora and Binoy. These women have a great role in self-discovery, enlightenment and humanization with the elements of feminization in the life of Gora and Binoy.