CSP
By Syed Waliullah
Tree Without Roots is a social and psychological novel that exposes religious hypocrisy and blind faith in rural Bengal. The story centers on a man named Majeed, who builds false religious authority to gain power, security, and respect in society. The novel shows how ignorance and superstition allow exploitation to grow.
Beginning of the Novel
The novel begins with Majeed, a poor and rootless man, arriving in a remote village. He has no family, no land, and no social position. He is intelligent and observant, but also dishonest. He notices that the villagers are deeply religious and very superstitious. They fear God and punishment but lack true understanding of religion.
Majeed discovers an abandoned grave in the village. He declares it to be the grave of a holy saint. He names it a mazar and claims himself as its caretaker. He spreads stories about the saint’s spiritual power and warns villagers that disrespecting the shrine will bring disaster.
The villagers believe him without question. Their fear and ignorance help Majeed establish authority.
Rise of Majeed’s Power
As time passes, Majeed becomes powerful. People begin to respect him and fear him. They seek his advice in personal and social matters. He controls the village by using religious language, moral pressure, and fear of divine punishment.
Majeed marries Rahima, a quiet and obedient woman. She accepts her suffering silently. Through marriage, Majeed gains social stability and respect. However, his authority is based on lies, and deep inside he feels insecure. He constantly fears exposure.
Majeed enforces strict religious rules, especially on women. He controls their behavior, clothing, and freedom. Religion becomes a tool of domination rather than guidance.
Conflict and Rivalry
Majeed’s power is challenged by Khaleque, another villager who also tries to gain religious influence. This creates tension. Majeed feels threatened and increases his control. He becomes more aggressive in spreading fear and superstition.
To strengthen his position, Majeed marries a second wife, Jamila. Unlike Rahima, Jamila is young, emotional, and outspoken. She sometimes questions Majeed’s authority and behavior. Her presence introduces conflict in Majeed’s personal life.
Jamila’s resistance shows that Majeed’s control is not complete. It exposes cracks in his authority.
Psychological Struggle of Majeed
Although Majeed appears confident, he is deeply afraid inside. He knows that the shrine is false. His faith is not real. His power has no moral foundation. This makes him anxious and insecure.
He fears natural disasters, rival leaders, and even his own thoughts. He constantly worries that the villagers may stop believing him. His life becomes a struggle to protect his false image.
Majeed’s fear represents the weakness of power built on lies.
The Storm and the Crisis
Towards the end of the novel, a violent storm hits the village. The shrine is damaged. This event is highly symbolic. It represents the destruction of illusion and false belief.
Majeed is terrified. He realizes that if the shrine is destroyed, his authority will collapse. He prays desperately, not out of faith, but out of fear. For the first time, he feels truly helpless.
The storm exposes the truth: Majeed’s power is like a tree without roots—standing on weak ground and unable to survive strong forces.
Ending of the Novel
After the storm, Majeed remains uncertain and fearful. His future is unclear. The novel does not provide a neat resolution. Instead, it leaves readers thinking about the nature of faith, power, and morality.
Majeed survives, but his confidence is shaken. The illusion he created is fragile. His authority may fall at any time.
Overall Meaning
Tree Without Roots is a powerful critique of:
- Religious hypocrisy
- Blind faith
- Social exploitation
- Moral emptiness
Syed Waliullah shows that true faith cannot be built on fear and lies. Authority without moral roots is unstable and dangerous.
Conclusion
In Tree Without Roots, Syed Waliullah presents a haunting picture of rural society where ignorance allows false leaders to rise. Through Majeed’s character, the novel warns readers about the misuse of religion and the dangers of blind belief. The novel remains relevant today, as it encourages critical thinking, awareness, and true spirituality.