The Patriot 

 

Word Meaning

1 myrtle-a sweet smelling white flower

2 rocked- shook, swayed

3 harvest- fruit, reward

4 shamble-place of killing

5. Swayed - moved up and down and sideways

6. Morose - sullen and ill-tempered

7. Anguish - mental or physical pain; suffering

 

OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS

 

1 Give the name of the poet of this poem.

Ans.-Robert Browning.

2 How was the path of the Patriot decorated?

Ans. It was decorated with flowers.

3 The church spires were decorated with red-coloured flags True/False.

Ans. True

4 Why did the attitude of people changed towards the Patriot?

Ans. Because people thought that he has done something wrong.

SUMMARY OF THE POEM

 

The patriot came home after winning for his country. He was given a warm welcome. His path was decorated with flowers. Crowd of people came out to welcome him. The pointed towers of church were decorated with red flags. The walls of old houses seemed to shake when the crowd pressed against them and shouted. They were ready to do anything for the Patriot a year ago. But now the Patriot has lost their favour. He is being taken to the scaffold. They have tied his wrists behind with a rope. Some people threw stones at him The Patriot feels that blood is running down his forehead. The Patriot gazed thoughtfully at his fate. Only a year ago these people were ready to do impossible to please him. But now they are eager to see him dead. But the Patriot is very optimistic. He thinks that if he has not been rewarded by the people he can ask God to do justice to him.

 

CENTRAL IDEA OF THE POEM

 

The central idea of the poem is that power and glory are impermanent and they never lasts forever. This poem shows disloyalty of people. When the Patriot came home after winning for his country. He is given a warm welcome only a year ago. But now these people are eager to put him to death due to some differences. But the Patriot is very optimistic. He is sure that he has been wrongly judged. He believes that he will be truly rewarded by God for his acts or deeds.

 

Lines 1-5

IT was roses, roses, all the way,

With myrtle mixed in my path

like mad:

The house-roofs seemed to heave

and sway,

The church-spires flamed, such

flags they had,

A year ago on this very day.

 

Explanation of the poem

 

Reference to the Context-These lines have been taken from the poem, ‘The

Patriot’ written by Robert Browning. The poem shows that power and glory are impermanent. It also shows hope and optimism of the Patriot.

Explanation-These lines elaborate upon the grand welcome given to the Patriot when he came home after winning for his country. His path was decorated with flowers. The houses roofs were crowded with people and when they moved, it appeared as if the roofs swayed under their weight. The pointed towers of church were decorated with red flags and they looked as if they were on fire. All this occurred exactly a year ago.

 

Lines 6-10

 

The air broke into a mist with

bells,

The old walls rocked with the

crowd and cries.

Had I said, “Good folk, mere

noise repels—

But give me your sun from

yonder skies!”

They had answered, “And

afterward, what else?”

 

Explanation of the poem

 

Reference to the Context-These lines have been taken from the poem, ‘The Patriot’ written by Robert Browning. The poem shows that power and glory are impermanent. It also shows hope and optimism of the Patriot.

Explanation- In these lines poet wishes to tell the readers that a very large number of people had come to see and welcome the Patriot. The merry shouts of people made the air tremble. Things appeared dim as in the mist. Walls of old houses seemed to shake when the crowd pressed against them. The Patriot says that if he had asked the people that he did not like mere shouting but wanted a solid proof of their love, they would have even brought the sun down for his pleasure. They would have asked the Patriot if they could do something more also. It means that they were ready to do anything for the Patriot.

 

Lines 11-15

Alack, it was I who leaped at the

sun

To give it my loving friends to

keep!

Naught man could do, have I left

undone:

And you see my harvest, what I

reap

This very day, now a year is run.

 

Explanation of the poem

 

Reference to the Context-These lines have been taken from the poem, ‘The

Patriot’ written by Robert Browning. The poem shows that power and glory are impermanent. It also shows hope and optimism of the Patriot.

Explanation-The Patriot was hero of the people a year ago. But things have changed now. The Patriot is out of favour with his people. The Patriot mourns about how his deeds have been repaid by the people. He says that he tried to do his best for his people. He is feeling helpless and morose because all his good deeds have been dismissed. He is going to be executed. Only one year ago he was given a warm welcome. But today these people are eager to see him dead.

 

Lines 16-20

 

There’s nobody on the

house-tops now—

Just a palsied few at the

windows set;

For the best of the sight is, all

allow,

At the Shambles’ Gate—or,

better yet,

By the very scaffold’s foot, I

trow.

 

Explanation of the poem

 

Reference to the Context-These lines have been taken from the poem, ‘The

Patriot’ written by Robert Browning. The poem shows that power and glory are impermanent. It also shows hope and optimism of the Patriot.

Explanation-There are no more people on roofs tops to see the Patriot. Only a few cripples can be seen at the windows. The Patriot sarcastically says that now this crowd of people has gone to the place of execution. They have gathered at the Shamble’s Gate. The Patriot anguish can be seen when he taunts that people will not be found on the roofs but at the foot of the scaffold. They are eager to see the Patriot being executed.

 

Lines 21-25

 

I go in the rain, and, more than

needs,

A rope cuts both my wrists

behind;

And I think, by the feel, my

forehead bleeds,

For they fling, whoever has a

mind,

Stones at me for my year’s

misdeeds.

 

Explanation of the poem

Reference to the Context-These lines have been taken from the poem, ‘The Patriot’ written by Robert Browning. The poem shows that power and glory are impermanent. It also shows hope and optimism of the Patriot.

Explanation-The imagery here is that of the Patriot is walking in the rain, heading towards the scaffold. His wrists are tied tightly behind his back with a rope that cut through his skin. Some people are punishing the Patriot by throwing stones at him. He can feel blood running down his forehead. He ironically says that his service for nation are now being taken as his misdeeds.

 

Lines 26-30

Thus I entered, and thus I go!

In triumphs, people have

dropped down dead.

“Paid by the world, what dost

thou owe

Me?”—God might question;

now instead,

’Tis God shall repay: I am safer

so.

Explanation

Reference to the Context-These lines have been taken from the poem, ‘The Patriot’ written by Robert Browning. The poem shows that power and glory are impermanent. It also shows hope and optimism of the Patriot.

Explanation-In this concluding stanza of the poem the Patriot declares that he is walking towards his death through the same street on which he was welcomed as a hero. But now he is going to be hanged. Hope and optimism can also be seen in this stanza .The Patriot says that if a man has been rewarded by the people, he cannot ask God for further reward. The Patriot will get true justice in God’s safe heaven after death. Thus the Patriot accepts this unjust treatment as a blessing.