7/28/2019 An Analysis of the Poem
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An Analysis of the Poem 'The Lotus' by Toru Dutt
True to Joy
Kalai Selvi Arivalagan,Yahoo! Contributor Network
Oct 2, 2009 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites.Start
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Toru Dutt is one of the famous Indo-Anglican poets. Most of her
poems have an Indian theme and an
Indian background. The poem, 'The Lotus' is a sonnet in the
Petrarchan type. Toru Dutt's mastery
over the sonnet form is proved in this poem. The sonnet is
divided into two divisions, the Octave and
the Sestet. The octave consists of eight lines and the sestet
consists of six lines. A sonnet deals with a
single idea, the octave proposing and the sestet resolving.
Within 14 lines of the sonnet, Toru Dutt
raises a problem in the Octave and resolves it in the
sestet.
In this poem, Toru Dutt presents the idea that the Indian Lotus
is the most beautiful of all flowers.
For a long time, Lily and Rose had been fighting for the title
'Queen of flowers.' Each flower with its
own support from poets, claimed for the title. At this time, God
of Love came to Goddess Flora asking
for a flower, which would be the unchallenged queen of flowers.
She wanted for a flower, which wasstately as the Lily and as
delicious as the Rose. Goddess Flora gave God of Love the lotus
flower and
resolved the long standing quarrel between Lily and Rose. Great
poets supported the flowers
according to their wish, and some poets even raised the doubt if
the lily was beautiful than the rose.
Lotus combines the redness of the rose with the paleness of the
lily. Goddess Flora created Lotus,
which was both rose red and lily white.
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7/28/2019 An Analysis of the Poem
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One more thing to note is that the lotus is a flower of
significance both to Indian and the Hindu
religion. We can understand Toru Dutt's affection for an Indian
flower and also she wanted to
establish the superiority of Hindu religion over other religions
in the world. As Toru Dutt was
brought up and educated abroad, she always turned to classical
mythology to establish her stand.
The Lotus, Toru Dutt
Love came to Flora asking for a flower
That would of flowers be undisputed queen,
The lily and the rose, long long had been
Rivals for that high honour. Bards of power
Had sung their claims. "The rose can never tower
Like the pale lily with herJunomien" -
"But is the lily lovelier?" Thus between
Flower fractions rang the strife in Psyche's bower.
"Give me a flower delicious as the rose
And stately as the lily in her pride"-
"But of what colour?"- "Rose red," Love first chose,
Then prayed, - "No, lily-white, - or both provide";
And Flora gave the lotus, "rose red" dyed
And "lily white," queenliest flower that blows
Resources: Reference books at the local library
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