Lotus

summary and explanation of the poem Lotus by Toru Dutt

1. Lotus by Toru Dutt Dr. Jyoti Waghmare M.A. Ph.D. NET-JRF SET

2. Toru Dutt 4 March 1856 – 30 August 1877 a   Bengali  translator and  poet   wrote in  English  and  French first Indian poetess to write verses in French and in English.  one of the founding figures of  Anglo-Indian   literature    A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields  (1877) and  Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan  (1882 ) novel in French,  Le Journal de Mademoiselle d’Arvers  (1879 ). Indian Themes Dutt died young, at age 21

3. The Lotus ‘ The Lotus’ is a sonnet in the Petrarchan type Sonnet is a poem of 14 lines two divisions, the Octave and the Sestet octave consists of eight lines and the sestet consists of six li nes A sonnet deals with a single idea the octave proposing and the sestet resolving. Toru Dutt raises a problem in the Octave and resolves it in the sestet.

4. Lotus God of Love Cupid came to Flora , the Goddess of flowers Asked for the flower “undisputed queen of flowers” Lily and Rose had been fighting for the title ‘Queen of flowers Each flower with its own support from poets, claimed for the title He asked Flora to create a unique flower. The flower must be the most beautiful of all the flowers. It must be the undisputed queen of flowers. That flower must surpass in beauty and grandeur over the two old rivals rose and lily

5. Lotus The lily and rose were old rivals . Both of them competed for the high honor and of being called undisputed queen of flowers. Both of them were proud of their beauty and grandeur. The rose was proud of its red color and white lily had the grace of the face of goddess Juno . Some poets and bards favored the rose and some supported white lily . The pale white face of lily resembles the stately and graceful face of goddess Juno.

6. Lotus The rose has been an old rival of the lily for the high honor of being called the queen of flowers. The redness of the rose is the first choice of lovers all around the world. Its delicacy and beauty is matchless . A large number of poets have been giving the high honor of being queen of flowers to the rose. But some critics believe that the rose can’t match the dignity and grace of the lily .

7. Lotus The god of love Cupid asked Flora to create a unique flower. It would be the undisputed queen of flowers. First he asked Flora to create a flower that must have been the attractive red color of rose. Then he changes his mind and asked to create a flower that might have the grace of lily. In the end the confused Cupid resolved the issue. He wanted such a unique flower that might have the redness of rose and whiteness of the lily.

8. Cultural Symbol Of Indian Society By establishing the superiority of the lotus flower, Toru Dutt has tried to establish the superiority of the Indian culture. The lotus is considered as a cultural symbol in Indian society. It has been a favorite flower with Indian Gods and Goddesses. Both lord Vishnu and goddess Lakshmi have the lotus as their seat. Even in the present times the lotus enjoys a unique respectability in Indian society. All great civil honors have been named after the lotus Padmashree, Padmabhushan, Padmavibhushan, etc.

9. Comments Rose stands for passion because of its color Lily stands for purity , innocence and simplicity Lotus symbol of Indian culture and Hindu religion Lotus flower springs from surface water and from the earth and will remain unblemished not matter for the impurity of the water or mud Used Roman Mythology Flora, Cupid, Juno Lotus symbol fusion of Eastern and Western philosophy

10. Thank You