“The Last Bargain” is a thought-provoking poem by Rabindranath Tagore. The poem delves into the theme of true happiness and freedom, illustrating that material wealth, power, and beauty cannot bring lasting joy. Instead, it is the simplicity and innocence of a child’s play that brings genuine happiness.

First Encounter (King): The speaker is first approached by a king who offers him power in exchange for his service. However, the speaker refuses, realizing that power cannot buy true happiness.

Quote from the poem: “Come and hire me,” I cried, while in the morning the king came in his chariot. He held my hand and said, “I will hire you with my power.”

Second Encounter (Old Man): Next, an old man offers the speaker money in exchange for his labor. The speaker declines, understanding that money is not the key to true fulfillment.

Quote from the poem: “In the heat of the midday the houses stood with shut doors. I wandered along the crooked lane. An old man came out with his bag of gold. He pondered and said, ‘I will hire you with my money.'”

Third Encounter (Fair Maid): The speaker is then approached by a fair maid who offers her beauty in exchange for his service. Again, the speaker refuses, recognizing that beauty is fleeting and cannot provide lasting joy.

Quote from the poem: “It was evening. The garden hedge was all a-flower. The fair maid came out and said, ‘I will hire you with a smile.'”

Final Encounter (Child): Finally, the speaker meets a child playing with shells on the seashore. The child offers nothing but his innocence and joy. The speaker accepts, realizing that true happiness comes from simplicity and freedom.

Quote from the poem: “The sun glistened on the sand, and the sea waves broke waywardly. A child sat playing with shells. He raised his head and seemed to know me and said, ‘I hire you with nothing.'”

Power and Money: The poem highlights that neither power nor money can bring true happiness. The speaker rejects both offers, illustrating the limitations of material wealth and authority in providing lasting joy.

Fleeting Beauty: The fair maid’s offer of beauty is also declined, as the speaker understands that beauty is temporary and cannot ensure genuine happiness. This emphasizes the transient nature of physical appearance.

Simplicity and Innocence: The child represents simplicity and innocence, which are the true sources of happiness. The speaker’s acceptance of the child’s offer signifies the realization that freedom and genuine joy come from within, not from external possessions.

King, Old Man, Fair Maid, and Child: Each character in the poem symbolizes different aspects of life – power, wealth, beauty, and innocence. These symbols help convey the poem’s deeper message about the true sources of happiness.

Descriptive Language: Tagore uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of each encounter, making the reader visualize the scenes and understand the speaker’s journey toward finding true happiness.

“Come and hire me”: The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the speaker’s willingness to find a true purpose and highlights his journey through different offers before finding true happiness.

Example: The speaker’s refusal to accept the king’s offer of power highlights the poem’s message that true happiness cannot be found in authority or control over others.

Example: The acceptance of the child’s offer signifies the speaker’s realization that true happiness comes from innocence and simplicity, rather than material wealth or beauty.

Self-Discovery: The poem is a journey of self-discovery for the speaker, who learns through various encounters that true happiness is found within and is not dependent on external factors.

Materialism: Tagore critiques the materialistic pursuits of power, wealth, and beauty, suggesting that these are inadequate in providing genuine joy and fulfillment.

Understanding True Happiness: The poem encourages readers to reflect on their own lives and understand that true happiness comes from within, rather than from material possessions or external validation.

Importance of Simplicity: The story underscores the importance of simplicity and innocence in achieving genuine joy and fulfillment.