Discuss the socio- economic background in Tagore's short story, "The Postmaster."

While it might not be the most defining of elements in the
short story, I think that socio- economic reality is present in Tagore's "The
Postmaster."  Consider that Tagore uses the term "humble" to describe the village in the
opening line.  The indigo factory that is near by is one that presumably was owned by
the British and not the villagers, as the ending of the first paragraph clearly
establishes that the post office was set up by the British.  This reflects how there is
a constructed valence of power in the village setting between those who possess wealth
and those who lack it.  In a unique way, this dynamic is present in the relationship
between the postmaster and Ratan.  The urbane and educated postmaster represents the
condition of power and the illiterate and abandoned orphan would be the end that
displays a lack of power.  Interestingly enough, Tagore is able to suggest this same
dynamic of power exists even though the Postmaster himself earns a "meagre" salary.  It
seems as if Tagore might be suggesting that even amongst those who could be considered
"poor," there is a dynamic of power and powerlessness that is constructed in order to
ensure a hierarchy.  While the issue of socio- economic reality is present, Tagore
concludes his story with an interesting take on it.  When the Postmaster is ready to go,
he offers to pay her and she flatly refuses it, running away after rejecting it.  Tagore
might be suggesting that there might exist a realm, almost like an inner citadel, within
individuals that transcends, or should transcends, socio- economic reality.  The loyalty
that that both Ratan displays towards the postmaster and that Tagore obviously has for
her are both expressions that go beyond what the world presents as "wealth" and
"power."  In rejecting the money, Tagore might be suggesting that individuals can go
beyond their own socio- economic reality, reflecting their own sense of dignity and
character that cannot be touched by materialism.