Chapter Overview
'The Last Bargain' is a poem by Rabindranath Tagore that delves into the search for true happiness and fulfillment. The protagonist of the poem engages in several bargains with different entities—such as power, money, and beauty—but none of these give him the inner peace he is seeking. Eventually, he comes to the realization that true contentment lies in something deeper, beyond material wealth or worldly power. The poem reflects on the transient nature of worldly pursuits and highlights the importance of self-respect and inner peace.
Important Keywords
- Bargain: A deal or agreement, often implying an exchange of something valuable for something else. In the poem, the protagonist makes several bargains in search of true happiness.
- Power: One of the things the protagonist seeks in his quest for contentment. He realizes that power alone cannot bring true happiness.
- Self-Respect: The realization that true happiness comes from valuing oneself rather than relying on external factors like wealth or power.
- Materialism: The tendency to value material possessions and external achievements. The poem critiques materialism as a means to true fulfillment.
- Inner Peace: The peace and contentment that comes from within. The protagonist finds this as the ultimate form of fulfillment, beyond material wealth.
- Realization: The moment in the poem when the protagonist understands that true happiness is not found in external gains but in inner peace.