I am standing for peace and non-violence.
Why world is fighting fighting
Why all people of world
Are not following Mahatma Gandhi,
I am simply not understanding.
Ancient Indian Wisdom is 100% correct,
I should say even 200% correct,
But modern generation is neglecting –
Too much going for fashion and foreign thing.
Other day I’m reading newspaper
(Every day I’m reading Times of India
To improve my English Language)
How one goonda fellow
Threw stone at Indirabehn.
Must be student unrest fellow, I am thinking.
Friends, Romans, Countrymen, I am saying (to myself)
Lend me the ears.
Everything is coming –
Regeneration, Remuneration, Contraception.
Be patiently, brothers and sisters.
You want one glass lassi?
Very good for digestion.
With little salt, lovely drink,
Better than wine;
Not that I am ever tasting the wine.
I’m the total teetotaller, completely total,
But I say
Wine is for the drunkards only.
What you think of prospects of world peace?
Pakistan behaving like this,
China behaving like that,
It is making me really sad, I am telling you.
Really, most harassing me.
All men are brothers, no?
In India also
Gujaratis, Maharashtrians, Hindiwallahs
All brothers –
Though some are having funny habits.
Still, you tolerate me,
I tolerate you,
One day Ram Rajya is surely coming.
You are going?
But you will visit again
Any time, any day,
I am not believing in ceremony
Always I am enjoying your company
About the Poet
Nissim Ezekiel (1924–2004) was an influential Indian poet, playwright, and critic who wrote in English. Born in Mumbai to a Jewish family, he played a significant role in modern Indian English poetry. His poetry often reflects themes of identity, alienation, and the complexities of Indian society. His works are known for their irony, satire, and deep observations of human nature and cultural conflicts.
Background of the Poem
The Patriot is one of Nissim Ezekiel’s well-known poems that critiques the political and social scenario of India. It is written in a dramatic monologue style and satirizes the shallow patriotism of an ignorant and self-proclaimed patriot. Through the voice of a naive and overconfident speaker, Ezekiel highlights issues such as blind nationalism, lack of awareness, and superficial understanding of politics and society.
Summary of the Poem
The Patriot is narrated by a character who presents himself as a passionate nationalist. However, his speech is full of grammatical errors and absurd statements, revealing his limited understanding of politics and society. He boasts about his knowledge and superiority over others, but his statements reflect ignorance and misplaced confidence. The poem humorously exposes how many self-proclaimed patriots lack true awareness of their country’s real issues. Through this satirical portrayal, Ezekiel critiques blind nationalism and the dangers of uninformed political opinions.
Main Themes
- Satire on Nationalism – The poem mocks the idea of blind patriotism, showing how superficial nationalism can lead to absurd claims and actions.
- Ignorance and Overconfidence – The speaker’s incorrect statements and grammatical errors expose his lack of true knowledge.
- Irony and Humor – The poem uses irony to show the contrast between the speaker’s confidence and his actual ignorance.
- Political and Social Commentary – Ezekiel critiques the lack of awareness among many so-called patriots who fail to engage with real issues.
- The Use of Language – The deliberate misuse of English by the speaker highlights the theme of post-colonial identity and linguistic challenges in India.
Poetic Devices Used in the Poem
- Dramatic Monologue – The entire poem is presented as the speech of an individual, revealing his personality through his words.
- Irony – The speaker’s claims are often the opposite of reality, creating a humorous yet thought-provoking effect.
- Satire – The poem ridicules blind patriotism and uninformed political enthusiasm.
- Colloquial Language – The use of informal, broken English reflects the speaker’s limited linguistic skills and adds to the humor.
- Hyperbole – The speaker makes exaggerated claims, showcasing his overconfidence.
- Symbolism – The poem symbolizes the ignorance of many so-called patriots who fail to understand their country’s complexities.
Essay Questions for Further Exploration
- How does Nissim Ezekiel use satire in The Patriot to critique blind nationalism?
- Analyze the role of irony in the poem. How does it contribute to the poem’s message?
- Discuss the importance of language in The Patriot. How does Ezekiel use language to reflect social and cultural issues?
- Compare The Patriot with another satirical poem that critiques political or social ignorance.
- What does the poem suggest about the nature of patriotism? How does the speaker’s ignorance shape the reader’s understanding of true nationalism?
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- The Patriot is written by: a) A. K. Ramanujan
b) Nissim Ezekiel
c) Kamala Das
d) Jayanta Mahapatra
Answer: b) Nissim Ezekiel - The poem is best described as a: a) Love poem
b) Dramatic monologue
c) Political manifesto
d) Historical narrative
Answer: b) Dramatic monologue - The speaker in the poem is: a) A well-informed politician
b) A naive and ignorant patriot
c) A historian
d) A teacher
Answer: b) A naive and ignorant patriot - What literary device is most prominent in the poem? a) Metaphor
b) Satire
c) Simile
d) Personification
Answer: b) Satire - What is the tone of the poem? a) Serious and melancholic
b) Humorous and satirical
c) Romantic and idealistic
d) Tragic and sorrowful
Answer: b) Humorous and satirical - The speaker’s grammatical errors in English highlight: a) His high level of education
b) The poet’s attempt to ridicule linguistic struggles in post-colonial India
c) The importance of learning a foreign language
d) His fluency in multiple languages
Answer: b) The poet’s attempt to ridicule linguistic struggles in post-colonial India - Which theme is NOT present in the poem? a) Blind nationalism
b) Linguistic challenges
c) Love and romance
d) Political ignorance
Answer: c) Love and romance - What is the effect of the poem’s humorous tone? a) It makes the reader dismiss the poem as irrelevant
b) It enhances the critique of uninformed patriotism
c) It makes the poem difficult to understand
d) It creates a sense of nostalgia
Answer: b) It enhances the critique of uninformed patriotism