Border by Taslima Nasrin Summary

“Border,” a poem by Taslima Nasrin, explores themes of liberation, individuality, and the pursuit of personal freedom. The speaker, a woman, narrates her determination to move forward despite the obstacles posed by her family and societal expectations.

In the beginning, the speaker expresses her resolve to move ahead, leaving behind her family who are trying to hold her back. Her child tugs at her sari, her husband blocks the door, yet she is determined to go. This symbolizes the traditional roles and expectations imposed on women, particularly within the family structure, where they are often expected to prioritize their duties and responsibilities over their personal desires and ambitions.

The speaker acknowledges the challenges ahead, represented by a river, but she is confident in her ability to overcome them, stating that she knows how to swim. However, she also notes that her family and society are unwilling to let her cross, reflecting the societal constraints and restrictions placed on women, preventing them from pursuing their own paths.

The other side of the river is described as a vast expanse of fields—empty and open, representing freedom and the unknown. The speaker is eager to experience this emptiness, to embrace the freedom it offers. She dreams of running against the wind, feeling its whooshing sound, and dancing freely. This symbolizes the joy and liberation she seeks, which she believes she will find on the other side.

The poem also touches on the speaker’s longing for her childhood innocence and the simple pleasures she once enjoyed. She reminisces about playing keep-away, a game from her childhood, and expresses a desire to raise a great commotion while playing it again. This reflects her yearning to reconnect with a time when she felt free and unburdened by the expectations of adulthood.

Additionally, the speaker mentions her need to cry with her head in the lap of solitude, something she hasn’t done for years. This signifies her longing for introspection and emotional release, away from the demands and judgments of others. She wants to cry to her heart’s content, to fully express her emotions, and then return.

Throughout the poem, the river serves as a metaphor for the boundary between the speaker’s current life, filled with restrictions and expectations, and the life of freedom and self-expression she aspires to. Despite the challenges and opposition, the speaker is resolute in her decision to cross the river, to embrace the freedom that lies ahead.

The poem ends with the speaker reaffirming her determination to go, questioning why she shouldn’t pursue her desires when she knows how to swim. This emphasizes her confidence and readiness to face whatever lies ahead, underscoring the poem’s themes of liberation and self-determination.

In summary, “Border” by Taslima Nasrin is a powerful poem that captures the struggle of a woman seeking freedom and self-expression in the face of societal and familial constraints. Through vivid imagery and metaphors, Nasrin conveys the speaker’s determination to break free from traditional roles and pursue a life of her own choosing.

Border by Taslima Nasrin Analysis

“Border,” a poem by Taslima Nasrin, delves deeply into the themes of liberation, individuality, and the struggle against societal constraints. Nasrin, a vocal critic of religious and cultural oppression, uses this poem to highlight the inner turmoil and determination of a woman seeking freedom. Here’s a detailed analysis:

Themes

Liberation and Individuality: The central theme of “Border” is the speaker’s desire for liberation from societal and familial constraints. The poem begins with the speaker’s declaration to move ahead despite the opposition from her family. This act of defiance symbolizes her quest for individuality and freedom. The repeated imagery of swimming across a river signifies her determination to overcome obstacles and reach a state of personal liberation.

Societal Constraints: The speaker’s family represents the societal norms and expectations that restrict her freedom. Her child pulling at her sari, her husband blocking the door—all these actions symbolize the traditional roles women are expected to play. These roles often prevent them from pursuing their own desires and aspirations. The societal pressure to conform is a significant barrier the speaker must overcome to achieve her goal.

Inner Strength and Resilience: The speaker’s confidence in her ability to swim across the river illustrates her inner strength and resilience. Despite the external pressures, she believes in her capability to navigate the challenges. This confidence underscores the importance of self-belief in the face of adversity.

Symbols

The River: The river in the poem is a powerful symbol of the boundary between the speaker’s current life and the freedom she yearns for. Crossing the river represents a significant transformation—a move from a life of constraints to one of freedom and self-expression. It is both a physical and metaphorical barrier that the speaker is determined to overcome.

Fields and Wind: On the other side of the river lies a vast expanse of fields, symbolizing the open possibilities and freedom the speaker desires. The wind, which makes her want to dance, represents the exhilarating feeling of liberation. The speaker’s desire to run against the wind and dance signifies her longing to experience the joy and freedom that come with breaking free from societal norms.

Childhood Games and Solitude: The speaker reminisces about playing keep-away and crying in solitude, activities associated with her childhood. These memories highlight her longing to reconnect with her inner self, free from the burdens of adult responsibilities and societal expectations. The innocence and freedom of childhood are contrasted with the constraints of her current life, emphasizing her yearning for a simpler, more liberated existence.

Tone and Style

Defiant and Resolute: The tone of the poem is defiant and resolute. The speaker’s repeated assertions of her intent to move ahead and cross the river reflect her determination. This defiance is directed not just at her family but at the broader societal expectations that seek to confine her.

Imagery and Metaphor: Nasrin employs vivid imagery and metaphor to convey the speaker’s emotions and aspirations. The river, fields, and wind are all potent symbols that encapsulate the themes of freedom and self-determination. The use of these metaphors makes the abstract concepts of liberation and societal constraints more tangible and relatable.

Repetition: The repetition of the phrase “there’s nothing ahead but a river” emphasizes the speaker’s focus on the single obstacle that stands between her and her freedom. This repetition reinforces the central conflict of the poem and the speaker’s unwavering resolve to overcome it.

“Border” is a compelling exploration of a woman’s quest for freedom and self-expression. Through powerful imagery and a defiant tone, Taslima Nasrin captures the inner strength required to challenge societal norms and pursue one’s own path. The poem serves as a poignant reminder of the universal struggle for liberation and the resilience needed to achieve it.

Border by Taslima Nasrin Line by Line Explanation

1. “I’m going to move ahead.”

• The speaker is determined to move forward and make a change in her life, despite any obstacles or resistance.

2. “Behind me my whole family is calling,”

• Her family is trying to stop her or persuade her to stay, calling out to her as she tries to leave.

3. “my child is pulling at my sari-end,”

• Her child is physically tugging at her clothing, indicating a plea for her to stay or a sign of attachment and dependence.

4. “my husband stands blocking the door,”

• Her husband is literally or metaphorically preventing her from leaving, symbolizing the restrictions imposed on her by traditional roles.

5. “but I will go.”

• Despite the resistance from her family, she is firm in her decision to leave and pursue her own path.

6. “There’s nothing ahead but a river”

• The only thing in her way is a river, which symbolizes a significant but not insurmountable obstacle.

7. “I will cross.”

• She is confident that she can overcome this obstacle and move forward.

8. “I know how to swim, but they”

• She is capable of handling the challenge (the river) because she knows how to swim, but there are others who are preventing her from using her skills.

9. “won’t let me swim, won’t let me cross.”

• Despite her abilities, her family and societal expectations are stopping her from taking action and crossing the river.

10. “There’s nothing on the other side of the river” – On the far side of the river, there is no specific, predefined destination or goal; just open space.

11. “but a vast expanse of fields,” – The other side represents a wide, open area, symbolizing freedom and possibilities.

12. “but I’ll touch this emptiness once” – She desires to experience this freedom and openness, even if it’s just for a short time.

13. “and run against the wind, whose whooshing sound” – She imagines running freely in the open fields and feeling the wind, which represents a sense of liberation and joy.

14. “makes me want to dance.” – The thought of this freedom excites her and makes her feel like dancing, showing her deep yearning for personal expression and joy.

15. “I’ll dance someday and then return.” – She plans to fully enjoy this freedom (dance) and then come back to her previous life, suggesting that this experience will renew her and give her a new perspective.

16. “I’ve not played keep-away for years” – She reminisces about a childhood game (keep-away), symbolizing a time of carefree joy and freedom.

17. “as I did in childhood.” – This reinforces that playing keep-away was a part of her youthful, more liberated past.

18. “I’ll raise a great commotion playing keep-away someday” – She plans to rekindle that playful, carefree spirit and make a joyful noise, reflecting her desire to reconnect with her inner child and freedom.

19. “and then return.” – After this period of freedom and joy, she intends to return to her previous life, having gained new experiences and insights.

20. “For years I haven’t cried with my head in the lap of solitude.” – She has not allowed herself to fully express her emotions or find solace in solitude for a long time.

21. “I’ll cry to my heart’s content someday” – She plans to let out her emotions freely, which she has been holding back.

22. “and then return.” – After experiencing this emotional release, she will come back to her daily life, perhaps feeling rejuvenated and more whole.

23. “There’s nothing ahead but a river” – Once again, she acknowledges that the only barrier to her freedom is the river, which she sees as manageable.

24. “and I know how to swim.” – Reaffirming her confidence in her ability to overcome the obstacle.

25. “Why shouldn’t I go? I’ll go.” – She questions why she should not pursue her freedom and declares her decision to move forward, underscoring her determination and readiness to embrace change.