The Patriot by Nissim Ezekiel

 Thinking Activity

The Patriot By Nissim Ezekiel 

This blog is written as a part of the thinking activity assigned by Barad sir on interpretation of poems in context to I. A. Richard's "The Figurative Language". So as a part of that in this blog I will first try to problematize and then defend misunderstanding of tha language of the poem no. 19 'The Patriot; by Nissim Ezekiel.

19. The Patriot - Nissim Ezekiel

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

To do Practical criticism of any poem as suggested by I. A Richards, it is vital to understand the tone of poem at the very first place. So basically the aim of this poem is to make fun of Indian English language(means English language spoken by Indians and its tone of speaking.) The idea of using this type of language is suitable to the thoughts which are presented in the poem.

When I first read the poem, I was not able to understand it's connotative meaning. For that I have gone through this poem several times. The things which I was understanding before don' make any sense, when I compare my interpretation of the poem now which far beyond the over or literal meaning. If take denotative meaning, we can't get what the poem wants convey. So here is what I have understood.

Problematic things in this poem:

1. The language of the poem seems problematic because of incorrect structure and over use of continuous present tense and also by mixing such words like "goonda"(which is a Hindi word), "fighting fighting"(repetition of words which are not necessary), "completely total"(it doesn't make any sense).

2. "Lend me the ears". We can lend the ears it can only listen.

3.

 "All brothers -

Though some are having funny habits.

Still, you tolerate me,

I tolerate you"

 These lines seems problematic due to the contradictions of both the lines. First, "all brothers" and then he uses a word "tolerate". If you are tolerating someone, it not like you are brothers.

Defending the misunderstandings of the problem of the language 

1. The problem of the language can be defended if we consider the overall tone of the poem which is to make fun of English spoken by Indians.

2. Poet uses the metaphor  to lend ears connotates to be alert.

3. By making two contradictory statements, poet tries out forth the reality behind the concept of "brotherhood"

So these are some misunderstanding which one has to look at while reading and interpret this poem.

Nissim Ezekiel's poems are mostly based on the themes like detachment, independence and individualism, Skeptical self and rooted in native soil. So this poem is also based on the theme of patriotism.  

        The poem, as its title suggests, is centered around the theme of patriotism. Its language is simple and straightforward, written in Indian English, making it easily comprehensible. Upon initial reading, the language may prove effortless to grasp, however, to grasp its deeper meaning may be a challenging task. A thorough examination of the poem, with a consideration of the cultural and historical context in which it was written, will aid in a complete understanding of its message.

1.The very first line of the poem deals with the idea of peace and non-violence in context to the idea of Mahatma Gandhi. Poet says says that why the world is fighting and is not following the idea of Mahatma Gandhi. 

2. Hereafter the poet has a debate of Modern and ancient Wisdom where he puts Ancient Indian tradition at the top. He tries to emphasise the Ancient Indian Wisdom by evaluating it even 200%. The modern generation because of foreign influences are neglecting ancients due to fashion and imitating foreign things. 

3. Poet admits that he reads newspaper “Times of India|'' everyday to improve his English Language. While reading the newspaper he finds news of one fellow as he addressed him as a “Goonda” which is an Indian word for rogue, who threw a stone at Indira Gandhi. He also assumes that this fellow must be a student. 

4. Now the poet lends his ears for what is coming- Regeneration, remuneration and Contraception.

5. In this part of the poem, the poet compares the Lassi- Indian drink which is very good for digestion and wine- Foreigh drink which is believed by the poet to be made only for Drunkards. Poem addresses himself as “teetotaller” which means he is a non-drinker.

6. Here comes universal peace and brotherhood. For that poet recalls two countries- Pakistan and China who are not maintaining world peace. Both of these countries’ behaviours are bothering and “harassing” the poet. He questions whether All men are brothers or not. Likewise in India also though all- Gujaratis, Maharashtrians, Hindiwallahs atr brothers- have different or rather funny habits, all tolerate each other.

7. The last part of the poem is very much essential where the poet makes contradictory statements. First he says that ram Rajya will surely come and then he says I don't believe in ceremony. Now in the last part, we can imagine the conversation between the speaker and listeners. Poet tells them that they will visit again as he is always enjoying their company.

So this is the fragmentary reading of the poem. Now let’s try to relate all the fragments with the various historical and cultural aspects.

By understanding the above description, we can find that the poem depicts the post-independence condition of India as the poem is also written after the independence in 1977.

• Mahatma Gandhi’s Concept of Peace and Non-violence
• Ancient vs Modern
• Incident of a fellow who threw a stone at Indira Gandhi.
• China and Pakistan's behaviour
• Idea of Ram Rajya

       Through the first part, the poet makes himself the side of Mahatma Gandhi in imitating them on the path of peace and non-violence. This refers to the reign of English people in India and condition after the independence. The invasion of foreign countries have its deep impact on the etiquettes of Indian culture. So as a result of that ancient ideologies are slowly and steadily changing. To elaborate this, the poet gives an example of "Lassi" which is better for health and "Wine" which as per poet is only for drunkards.

World peace is in danger as countries like China and Pakistan are not maintaining peace in the world. New the beginning of the poet presents a hope for Ram Rajya.