★★★The Patriot ★★★
Robert Browning
★★Summary:-----
In the very first stanza the poet describes a happy moment before one year.
When he returned to his native town town he was given a warm a warm reception.People welcomed him warmly and decorated his paths with roses and myrtles.The church-spires were decorated with colourful flags in the honour of patriot.Because he had done a brave thing for his nation.People had gathered on the house roofs to have a look at him.
In the second stanza the poet again describes the happiest moment that was happened before one year ago.Here he says,when he came the air broke into mist of bells.All the people were mad for him.They were even ready to do for him what was absolutely impossible for them.They can do anything for the shake of the patriot.
But after one year, the people misunderstand him.Now the whole context has changed.The patriot has lost all love,respect and favour of his oeople.There is nobody on the house tops now without a few paralysed man. They are taking him to the "Shambles Gate" for hanging.
Next,the poet says that people are throwing stone at him and his forehead is bleeding but he can't do anything because his hands are binding with the tight rope.
In the last stanza the poet consoles himself that if he do anything good for his nation he will be rewarded in the afterlife.He will not be deceived for God's divine law.
★★Rhyme Scheme:-----
Rhyme scheme is the ordered pattern of rhymes at the ends of the lines of a poem or verse
★The rhyme scheme of the poem is ababa.
"way"=a
"mad"=b
"sway"=a
"had"=b
"day"=a
Here,the last word of the first line is "way" and last word of the 3rd and 5th line's are "sway" and "day". All the words have same sound.So we can mark it a.Then,the last word of the 2nd line is " mad" and last word of the 4th line is "had". Both have same sound. So we can mark it b.All the rest have same rhyme.
So we can find out that the rhyme scheme of the poem "The Patriot" is ababa.
★★Tone:---
Tone is a musical or vocal sound with reference to its pitch, quality, and strength.
There are several tones in the poem The poem begins with happy tone.After a year,when the patriot returned to his native town and he was given a warm reception. People of the city had thrown roses and myrtles in his path to welcome him.But the tone of the poem change into a sad one as the people misunderstood him and all is good deeds regarded as misdeeds.However,the poem ends with an optimistic tone as the Patriot is hopeful that he will be rewarded in the water world by the hands of God.
★★Structure:---
The poem consists of six stanzas.And each stanza has 5 lines.The poem is a dramatic monologue. (A dramatic monologue is a poem where a single speaker speaks to the silent listener or audiences). Main features of dramatic monologue are abrupt beginning,single speaker,silent listener,critical situation.
The poem begins abruptly:--
"It was roses,roses,all the way".
The poem is spoken by a single speaker who is a patriot.Everywhere the poet/patriot only describes the situation.
The poem deals with a critical situation in the life of the patriot.
All the features are included into the poem "The Patriot". So structurally its a dramatic monologue.
★★Theme:---
Theme is the central idea in a piece of writing. The whole body explains the theme.
The fickleness of public opinion is the theme of the poem.When the patriot returns to his native town,people give him a rapturous reception.They welcome him cordially.The Patriot devotes his whole life for his nation.But after a year all his good deeds are becomes as misdeeds. It proves the fickleness of public opinion.The Patriot has done nothing wrong but he is executed. But at last he consoles himself that he will be rewarded afterlife by merciful God.
★★Authors Position:---
When an author writes to persuade,he/she will have his/her own position on the subject.The author's position is an author's opinion about the subject.It may be subjective or objective.
Subjective means where the writer can use his/her own feelings,emotion, and own choice.
Objective means where writer cann't use his/her own feelings,emotions and own choice.
Its a subjective poem because here the poet or patriot uses his own works,feeling.So its a subjective poem.
★★Figures of Speech :----
Figures of Speech means use of ornamental elements into a piece of writing.
Here,the poet uses several figures of speech.
★Alliteration :----
Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sound.
Example:---
Here, "r","m" and "c" are repeated. "roses,roses", " myrtle mixed","crowd and cries" So these are the examples of alliteration.
★Metaphor :---
Metaphor is an indirect comparison between two things without using as or like.
Example:---
The use of roses in the first stanza symbolises love a affection of the people for the patriot. It is also a symbolism.
★Personification :---
Personification means where the writer gives an imaginary life into a lifeless thing or person.
"The house-roofs seemed to heave and sway".
Here, the roofs of the house have been given human characteristics of heaving and swaying.So its an example of personification.
***To err is human.
-----Written by Krishna Mandal