Titles. They’re easy enough to overlook—you see them every time you pick a book up, but as soon as you crack its spine open, it disappears.
But as your English teacher has likely explained a hundred times over, titles contain more significance than you might expect. They add nuance, they complicate, and they reveal subtlety. In short, they’re an essential tool to decode the true meaning of a work, whether it be a short story (like Rabindranath Tagore’s “The Homecoming) or another form of literary work.
To help you understand the value of a title—and how to discern it for yourself—let’s dive into an example. But first:
Who was Rabindranath Tagore?
Often described as a polymath—one known for their knowledge of and accomplishments in a variety of disparate disciplines—Rabindranath Tagore excelled as a poet, writer, social reformer, philosopher, playwright, and artist. His creative work, including his 1892 short story “The Homecoming,” spans several mediums, and he is remembered for his unparalleled influence on the Bengali Renaissance.
Born in 1861, Tagore did not know an India free of British rule. Spending his adolescence observing the growing presence of the British Raj deeply informed his literary practice and made him a staunch anti-colonialist. Tragically, Tagore passed in 1941, just six years before the end of British rule in India. Though he never saw his nation gain its freedom, he was—and remains—a central figure in the Indian independence movement.
First published in 1884 and becoming in 1913 the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, Tagore spent his life pursuing truth through artistic expression. Simultaneously, his work is intimately internal and powerfully external. This dualism was essential to his creative work, which dissects his experiences to explore the fundamental nature of the world. Tagore’s dedication to his craft made him a revered writer, enjoying lofty literary status even today.
So, as we explore what’s in a title, we’re drawing on Tagore’s intentionality and technique to explore the hidden meaning that lurks behind even the most innocuous title.
A bit of context: “The Homecoming” by Rabindranath Tagore
Warning: Spoilers ahead!
Set in India, “The Homecoming” follows Phatik Chakravorti, a young boy dissatisfied with rural life. He is frequently frustrated by his young brother, Makhan, and feels ill at ease with his mother, who often sides with Makhan over him.
When Bishamber (an uncle Phatik had never met before), arrives at the family’s home and offers to take Phatik to his home in Calcutta, the boy leaps at the chance.
But Calcutta is not the respite Phatik imagined. The discontent that haunted him at home has followed him to the city, and he finds himself grappling with what he truly wants.
One day, Phatik snaps, deciding to walk the long, long journey home. His desperate pilgrimage is for naught, and the story ends as his mother cradles her delirious son as he dies, wishing only to return to the home he did not know to appreciate.
“The Homecoming”: Three Steps to Decode its Significance
Step 1: Consider the title in isolation
First, take a breather. You’re probably frantically scrambling around for answers—and panic isn’t going to get you anywhere. Rather than repeatedly considering what the title could potentially mean, try to ignore the question entirely.
Instead, think of it like word association. Ask yourself:
- What does the title make me think of?
- What do the keywords make me think of?
- Does the title remind me of anything from the author’s biography or their historical context?
These questions, although not directly tied to the meaning of the title, can help kick-start your brain, sparking connections that might lead you to the answer. In this case, for instance, what does the word “homecoming” make you think of?
It could make you think of relief, respite from a long journey, or a long-awaited return—all of which are positive feelings. But it could also make you think of dread, dragging your feet, or a purposeful exile—all negative things.
Don’t worry: There’s no wrong answer here.
Step 2: Read the story once
Then, crack open the book, short story, or whatever you’re working on. Let the title fade into the background as you sink into the story. Note the key themes, conflicts, and ideas the author presents—these will be important later.
Once you’ve finished reading, consider what the author is trying to communicate. Ask yourself:
- What are they trying to communicate to me?
- What plot points, character arcs, or context clues are they using to make this point (or points)?
With a strong grasp of the story’s overarching narrative flow and a sense of the underlying purpose guiding the author’s work, you can begin to decode the most important takeaways the author expects you to walk away with. Often, the title is related to these takeaways.
In this case, “The Homecoming” describes a young boy’s misguided desire to leave his home, imagining that the grass is greener elsewhere. What he fails to notice is that life at home is everything he could ask for. Only when he leaves does he realize his love for his mother (and even for his annoying little brother).
You might say that the key themes here are regret or longing or that the key takeaway is that you don’t know what you have until it’s gone.
Again: There’s no wrong answer!
Step 3: Tie it together
Finally, bring the conclusions you made during the word association and textual analysis steps together. How do the words you came up with tie into the story’s plot or deeper meaning? It might not be easy to see at first, but now that you’ve collected the pieces, the puzzle of the title’s meaning should quickly come together.
The nice thing about this method is that as long as you can back up your interpretation with textual evidence and a well-reasoned explanation, there isn’t really an incorrect way of explaining the title’s meaning. It’s all about individual interpretation.
Why do you think Tagore titled the story “The Homecoming”?
Learn More
Now that you know how to tackle titles, you’re ready to take on any task. But, just in case you need a little extra support, we’ve got you covered.
Check out our guide on studying for literature tests, or take a peek at our steps to writing a perfect summary. And, if that still doesn’t cut it, you can find our entire how-to series here!