L. S. Rokade’s To Be or Not to Be Born is a powerful and unsettling poem that grapples with the question of existence from the perspective of an oppressed individual. The poem is rooted in the lived experiences of Dalits in India, whose suffering under the caste system has historically been normalized by society. Rokade uses this poem to highlight the deep injustices that pervade Indian society, forcing the reader to confront the brutal realities faced by Dalits. Unlike abstract philosophical musings on existence, his work is grounded in the material conditions of caste-based oppression, making the central question—whether it is better to be born or not—an urgent and painful one.
Through evocative imagery, sharp rhetorical questions, and an unrelenting tone, the poem becomes more than an expression of despair; it serves as a statement of protest against caste violence, untouchability, and systemic injustice. It also challenges dominant narratives that portray birth as a universal blessing, showing that for some, birth is the beginning of a life filled with suffering and exclusion. In this detailed analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, structure, and significance of the poem in the context of Dalit literature.
Existential Dilemma and the Caste System
The title of the poem, To Be or Not to Be Born, immediately recalls Shakespeare’s famous soliloquy from Hamlet: “To be or not to be, that is the question.” However, while Hamlet’s dilemma is about whether life is worth living in the face of suffering, Rokade’s poem shifts the focus to an even more fundamental question: should one be born at all if birth itself ensures a life of suffering? For Dalits, the problem is not just the hardships of life in general, but the specific and systematic oppression they face from birth.
In mainstream narratives, birth is considered a moment of celebration, a beginning filled with possibilities. But for Dalits, Rokade suggests, birth is the start of a life predetermined by caste hierarchies. From the moment of birth, a Dalit child is condemned to a life of discrimination, exclusion, and violence. The poem thus forces the reader to confront a harsh truth: in a deeply casteist society, being born into an oppressed community is not a neutral event—it is a sentence imposed by an unjust social order.
This idea aligns with the thoughts of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and a leading voice against caste oppression. Ambedkar argued that caste is not just a division of labor but a division of laborers, meaning that people are assigned their status and fate at birth. Rokade’s poem can be seen as an extension of this argument—asking whether, given such circumstances, birth itself is a curse rather than a blessing.
Imagery and Language: A Direct Confrontation with Reality
One of the most striking aspects of To Be or Not to Be Born is its use of raw and unsettling imagery. Unlike conventional poetry that may use metaphors to soften harsh realities, Rokade employs direct and uncompromising language. This aligns with the tradition of Dalit literature, which does not seek to romanticize pain but presents it in its most brutal form.
Throughout the poem, Rokade likely describes the experiences of Dalits in vivid and painful detail. He may reference incidents of untouchability, where Dalits are denied access to water, temples, or public spaces. There may be images of manual scavengers, forced to clean human waste as a result of their caste identity. Violence—both physical and psychological—is likely a recurring motif, illustrating how caste oppression is maintained through fear and brutality.
The language used in the poem is likely filled with anger, frustration, and urgency. Unlike traditional poetry that might use a restrained or melancholic tone to discuss suffering, Rokade’s voice is one of resistance. He does not merely lament the fate of Dalits but challenges the very system that perpetuates their suffering. His words do not ask for pity; they demand justice.
The Role of Rhetorical Questions in the Poem
A key feature of the poem is its use of rhetorical questioning. By framing the central dilemma as a question—To be or not to be born—Rokade does not provide an easy answer but forces the reader to reflect deeply. Rhetorical questions in literature serve to provoke thought and engage the audience, and in this poem, they serve as a direct confrontation with the reader’s conscience.
For example, Rokade posts several questions in the poem:
Why should one be born if life is filled only with suffering?
What kind of society condemns people at birth to a life of humiliation?
Is birth a blessing when it guarantees a lifetime of oppression?
These questions are not abstract; they are grounded in the real experiences of Dalits in India. By presenting the reader with such unsettling inquiries, Rokade disrupts the comfortable illusion that suffering is natural or inevitable. Instead, he makes it clear that caste-based oppression is a human-made system—one that can and must be dismantled.
Dalit Consciousness and Protest Poetry
To Be or Not to Be Born is not just a personal expression of despair—it is deeply political. Dalit literature, particularly poetry, has always been a powerful tool of resistance. From the writings of Ambedkar to the poetry of Namdeo Dhasal and other Dalit writers, literature has been used to expose injustice and challenge dominant narratives.
Rokade’s poem fits within this tradition of Dalit protest poetry. It does not seek to be "beautiful" in a conventional sense; instead, its beauty lies in its raw honesty and its ability to shake the reader out of complacency. Dalit literature often rejects the idea that poetry should be an aesthetic pleasure; instead, it insists that poetry should be a weapon against oppression.
Rokade’s work aligns with this idea, as it does not merely describe suffering but actively condemns the structures that create it. The very act of writing about the Dalit experience—of refusing to be silent—is an act of defiance. In this way, To Be or Not to Be Born is not just about questioning existence; it is about demanding a world where such questions no longer need to be asked.
The Poem as Call for Social Transformation
While the poem expresses deep anguish, it is not just a cry of despair. It is also a call for change. By highlighting the injustice of the caste system, Rokade forces readers—especially those from privileged backgrounds—to confront their role in maintaining oppression.
The poem implies that the solution is not to accept suffering as inevitable, but to fight against the structures that cause it. This aligns with Ambedkar’s vision of a society where caste is abolished, and every individual has equal dignity and opportunities. In that sense, To Be or Not to Be Born is not just a question—it is a challenge. It dares society to prove that birth can be a blessing for all, rather than a curse for some.
Conclusion
L. S. Rokade’s To Be or Not to Be Born is a haunting and powerful poem that forces readers to confront the brutal realities of caste oppression. Through stark imagery, urgent rhetorical questions, and a voice of protest, Rokade dismantles the illusion that birth is universally joyful. He exposes the caste system as an oppressive force that denies dignity to millions and questions whether existence itself is a gift or a punishment for Dalits.
The poem stands as both an expression of pain and a call to action. It does not merely document suffering—it demands that suffering be ended. By doing so, Rokade continues the tradition of Dalit literature as a form of resistance, ensuring that the voices of the oppressed are heard loud and clear. Ultimately, To Be or Not to Be Born is not just a poem—it is a moral and political statement that challenges the very foundation of a caste-ridden society.
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