This blog is part of an academic group discussion activity on the poem The Patriot by Nissim Ezekiel, assigned by Professor Prakriti Bhatt, aimed at deepening our understanding of the text.
Nizzim Ezekiel
Original Poem :
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
Long Question:
Comment on the ironic mode of ‘The Patriot’ by Nissim Ezekiel.
Nissim Ezekiel’s poem “The Patriot” is a brilliant example of ironic satire in postcolonial Indian English literature. The speaker in the poem, who claims to be a ‘patriot’, expresses a passionate love for peace, non-violence, and traditional Indian values. Yet, beneath the surface, Ezekiel uses irony, parody, and comic exaggeration to expose the hollowness, confusion, and contradictions present in the mindset of many self-styled patriots in post-independence India.
1. Irony through Language and Syntax:
The most evident irony lies in the Indianised English used by the speaker. Phrases like “Why world is fighting fighting”, “I am simply not understanding”, and “completely total” show a deliberate distortion of Standard English. Ezekiel uses this dialect not to mock the speaker but to reflect linguistic mimicry—a legacy of colonial education where English is learned as a second language but remains imperfectly grasped. This comic misuse of English becomes a vehicle of irony, emphasizing the gap between what the speaker wants to say and what he actually conveys.
2.Contradictions and Misunderstandings:
The speaker’s understanding of patriotism and world politics is deeply naive and oversimplified. For instance, he asks:
“Why all people of world / Are not following Mahatma Gandhi, / I am simply not understanding.”
This statement reflects a well-meaning but simplistic grasp of complex geopolitical realities. Similarly, he reads The Times of India to “improve his English” but fails to grasp the content with critical depth. His reference to world issues—“Pakistan behaving like this, China behaving like that”—is vague and stereotypical, reinforcing the irony that although he claims to be concerned about peace, he lacks the historical or political awareness to meaningfully engage with such topics.
3. Cultural Irony and Western Influence:
The speaker extols Ancient Indian Wisdom as being “200% correct” and condemns the younger generation for “going too much for fashion and foreign thing.” However, ironically, he quotes Shakespeare—“Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me the ears”—suggesting his subconscious admiration for Western literary culture. Even his comment on wine:
“Not that I am ever tasting the wine. / I'm the total teetotaller, completely total”
comes across as comic overcompensation, further deepening the ironic tone.
4. Irony of Innocence vs. Intellect:
The speaker’s innocence and good intentions clash with his limited critical understanding. He advocates peace and harmony—“All men are brothers, no?”—and dreams of a utopian Ram Rajya, but his observations are riddled with clichés and shallow generalizations. Ezekiel thus mocks without cruelty, revealing how nationalist rhetoric often becomes repetitive, empty, or even absurd when not grounded in real awareness.
5. Postcolonial Context and Irony:
Ezekiel was writing during a time when India was grappling with its identity—torn between tradition and modernity, English and vernacular languages, and Eastern values versus Western influence. The poem dramatizes this cultural confusion through a well-meaning character who wants to be patriotic but is caught in linguistic and ideological chaos.
Critical Perspective:
From a critical standpoint, Ezekiel’s use of irony aligns with postcolonial parody. He gently critiques the Indian middle class, who, despite their patriotic slogans, often remain disconnected from the realities they speak of. The poem can also be read in light of Bakhtin’s theory of heteroglossia, where multiple voices and registers clash humorously in a single text, exposing social tensions.
Short Question:
Explain Nissim Ezekiel as the true Patriot.
To call Nissim Ezekiel a “true patriot” is to recognize the depth of his commitment to India's identity, not through blind nationalism but through critical self-reflection, satire, and reformist thought. In “The Patriot”, Ezekiel does not merely present a comical speaker who misunderstands English and global affairs; instead, he presents a mirror to Indian society, urging it to grow through introspection rather than slogans.
Ezekiel believed that true patriotism involves confronting uncomfortable truths—about language, identity, corruption, communalism, and cultural inferiority complexes. His poem critiques both superficial imitation of the West and over-glorification of tradition without understanding.
For example:
“Still, you tolerate me, / I tolerate you, / One day Ram Rajya is surely coming.”
This shows the character’s hope for ideal harmony. Yet Ezekiel’s real patriotism lies not in this fantasy, but in the act of writing the poem itself—an act that exposes contradictions and pushes readers to think critically about nationalism, peace, and identity.
Examples from the Poem:
He highlights how modern Indians blindly worship Gandhi, but fail to apply his principles:
“Why all people of world / Are not following Mahatma Gandhi, / I am simply not understanding.”
He shows how Indian society is more concerned with appearances and imported values than its own rich wisdom:
“Too much going for fashion and foreign thing.”
True Patriotism in Ezekiel’s Style:
While the speaker is comic, Ezekiel himself is a serious patriot who believes in the evolution of Indian thought. His poetry reflects the middle-class Indian’s dilemmas, the impact of colonial legacy, and the quest for a more meaningful national identity.
Thus, Nissim Ezekiel may not wave a flag or shout slogans—but through irony, satire, and cultural critique, he fulfills the role of a true literary patriot, one who holds the mirror to his nation and pushes it towards greater self-awareness and authenticity.
Second steps
Exploring Irony, Identity, and Patriotism in Nissim Ezekiel’s "The Patriot"
A Reflective Group Discussion Report
🧠 Introduction to the Task
As part of our literary exploration, our group was assigned Nissim Ezekiel’s satirical and thought-provoking poem “The Patriot.” We were asked to delve into its thematic depth, stylistic elements, and critical perspectives. Each group member took responsibility for a different analytical angle, and we shared our insights through a collaborative discussion.
Which Poem and Questions Were Discussed?
The poem selected by our group was “The Patriot” by Nissim Ezekiel, a prominent Indian poet who shaped the modern Indian English voice. Two major questions formed the focus of our discussion:
1. What is the ironic mode in the poem?
2. Is the speaker’s broken English a mockery, or does it reflect genuine patriotism?
These questions pushed us to look beyond the surface of the poem and evaluate its critical tone, linguistic choices, and deeper socio-political implications.
✨ Our Unique Approach to Discussion
Our approach was both systematic and creative. Each of us chose a subtopic and prepared our thoughts in advance. One by one, we presented our points, and others responded with expansions, questions, and supporting arguments.
This round-table format allowed everyone to:
Speak freely from their strength area.
Add critical perspectives based on postcolonial context, satire, and poetic irony.
Use stanza-wise reading for clarity, led by Trupti Hadiya.
This technique brought together multiple layers of meaning and allowed us to view the poem from different lenses—academic, emotional, and cultural.
Group Members and Contributions
Each member played a crucial role:
Rutvi Pal gave an introduction to Nissim Ezekiel, explaining his role in Indian English poetry and how his Jewish-Indian identity shaped his themes of alienation and belonging.
Devangini Vyas summarized the plot of the poem, outlining how the speaker shares his muddled yet heartfelt thoughts on peace, non-violence, politics, and identity.
Shrusti Chaudhari offered a critical analysis, explaining the poem’s satirical tone and how Ezekiel critiques post-independence Indian society without sounding too harsh.
Trupti Hadiya (me) provided a stanza-wise thematic study, focusing on how each stanza reflects the speaker’s confused but sincere views on patriotism, global politics, and Indian tradition.
Rajdeep Bavaliya raised the crucial point that the poem can be read in two conflicting ways: as a mockery of the speaker, and as an affectionate portrayal of an innocent, idealistic Indian citizen.
Sagar Bokadiya examined whether the speaker’s broken English is meant to be satirical or sympathetic, concluding that Ezekiel balances humor and respect in portraying the speaker.
Krishna Vala discussed the style and form of the poem—its use of Indian English, colloquial tone, simple structure, and comic rhythm, all of which enhance the poem’s accessibility and irony.
Challenges and Insights
Yes, everyone contributed actively, and the discussion was full of insight and respect. I personally felt satisfied with the analysis I contributed. However, one of the most debated and difficult questions was whether the poem is a mockery of the speaker’s naivety or a celebration of his patriotism.
This duality became the central point of tension in our discussion—and we realized this very ambiguity is what gives the poem its brilliance.
On the other hand, some points—like the use of Indian English, and the speaker’s references to Gandhi, Ram Rajya, and Times of India—were easy to understand and connect with, especially in an Indian context.
🌱 Learning Outcomes
This discussion helped us:
Appreciate the subtle use of irony in poetry.
Understand how language, tone, and structure can convey both humor and criticism.
Recognize how cultural identity and postcolonial issues influence literary expression.
Reflect on the difference between true patriotism and shallow nationalism.
Through Ezekiel’s poem, we learned that a “patriot” is not someone who just repeats slogans, but one who seeks understanding, unity, and peace, even if expressed imperfectly.
📝 Conclusion
Our group discussion on “The Patriot” was not just an academic exercise, but a journey through laughter, confusion, and critical thought. Nissim Ezekiel, through his ironic and affectionate portrayal of a common Indian man, gave us the lens to examine ourselves—our language, our politics, and our patriotism.
We hope this blog reflects the spirit of our group’s collective learning.
Do share your views and interpretations with us—because as the poem reminds us, “You tolerate me, I tolerate you… One day Ram Rajya is surely coming.”
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