The Patriot by Nissim Ezekiel

This task is assigned by Prakruti ma'am.

Step:1 

Q. Comment on the ironic mode of ‘The Patriot’ by Nissim Ezekiel.

Nissim Ezekiel’s poem The Patriot is a fine example of satirical verse and a brilliant use of irony as a mode of social and political criticism. The poem is a dramatic monologue spoken by an Indian character who claims to be a patriot, but his speech is filled with contradictions, prejudices, and confused ideas. Ezekiel uses irony to expose the superficiality, ignorance, and mimicry that often pass for patriotism in post-independence India.

Irony in the Language

One of the most striking features of The Patriot is its deliberate use of flawed English. Ezekiel mimics the faulty speech patterns of Indian English speakers who try to sound Westernized or educated. The speaker says:

 “I am standing for peace and non-violence.”

The grammar is incorrect, but what is more ironic is that the speaker later contradicts this very statement by saying:

“If Muslims come, I will kill them.”

This use of language is both comic and tragic—comic because of its absurdity, and tragic because it reveals how hollow and hypocritical the speaker's values truly are. Through these linguistic choices, Ezekiel shows how patriotic slogans and moral ideals are often repeated without understanding.

 Irony of Self-Perception

The speaker sees himself as a noble, modern Indian who stands for peace, unity, and progress. However, everything he says shows the opposite:

He is prejudiced (against Muslims),

Violent (in the name of peace),

And desperate for attention (“If you don’t like me, I will commit suicide”).

The gap between how the speaker views himself and how the reader perceives him creates a strong sense of dramatic irony. The character is a caricature of a nationalist who believes he is morally superior, but his words and logic constantly betray his ignorance and confusion.

Irony in Political and Social Commentary

Ezekiel’s satire is not limited to one individual; rather, The Patriot represents a larger social and political condition in India:

People imitate Western values without fully understanding them.

They repeat political ideologies, Gandhian ideals, and democratic slogans as if they are mere catchphrases.

There is a colonial hangover and an identity crisis—Indians are torn between admiring the West and asserting national pride.

This is reflected in lines like:

 “I am proud of my India / because it is a great democracy.”

The speaker has no real understanding of democracy or its responsibilities. Ezekiel uses such lines to mock performative patriotism—the kind that is loud in words but shallow in thought.

Irony of Identity and Modernity

The speaker claims to be a “modern man” who believes in social service and world peace. However, he is more concerned with how he is perceived by others. His admiration for Western habits (like drinking whisky and reading English authors) and his obsession with being seen as modern reveal a crisis of identity.

He declares:

 “All world is one family.”

But this universalism is not reflected in his attitudes. His communal hatred and violent thoughts contradict the very idea of unity and peace. Ezekiel uses this contradiction to ironically highlight the dangers of superficial modernity—one that lacks substance and internal coherence.

Irony as a Tool of Satire

Through irony, Ezekiel achieves satirical sharpness in the poem. He criticizes:

The shallow patriotism of political leaders,

The blind followers who repeat political jargon without understanding,

And the confusion between tradition and modernity.

Yet, his tone is not entirely harsh or cruel. There is a sense of comic tolerance, as if Ezekiel is laughing at the absurdities of his society but also expressing a kind of resigned acceptance. This tone makes the irony more effective and engaging rather than alienating.

Conclusion

In The Patriot, Nissim Ezekiel uses irony not only for comic effect but also as a powerful mode of critique. He exposes the contradictions within the speaker's views, the misuse of language, and the dangers of shallow nationalism. Through the ironic portrayal of a self-proclaimed patriot, Ezekiel delivers a subtle yet forceful commentary on India’s post-independence identity crisis, the emptiness of borrowed ideals, and the need for self-awareness and sincerity in both thought and action.

Thus, the ironic mode in The Patriot serves as a mirror that reflects the complexities and contradictions of modern Indian society, encouraging readers to laugh, reflect, and perhaps reconsider the real meaning of patriotism.

Q. Explain Nissim Ezekiel as the true patriot. 

Nissim Ezekiel can be seen as the true patriot not through loud declarations, but through his critical engagement with Indian society. In his poem The Patriot, he exposes false nationalism, bigotry, and blind imitation of the West by presenting a satirical speaker who misunderstands patriotism. Unlike the speaker, Ezekiel's patriotism is thoughtful, honest, and reflective.

As a true patriot, Ezekiel:

Acknowledges India's flaws instead of glorifying it blindly.

Uses poetry to promote self-awareness and social change.

Encourages Indians to move beyond slogans and develop a deeper sense of national identity.

Thus, Ezekiel’s love for India lies in his desire to see it improve, making him a true patriot in the highest sense.

Step 2:

Rutvi Pal: About poet: Nissim Ezekiel

About the Poet: Nissim Ezekiel (by Rutvi Pal)

Nissim Ezekiel (1924–2004) was a famous Indian poet who wrote in English. He is known as the father of modern Indian English poetry. He was born in Bombay and wrote poems about Indian life, identity, and society.

Ezekiel’s poems often use simple language, humor, and irony to talk about serious issues like fake patriotism, Western imitation, and social problems. His poem The Patriot shows how some people use big words without understanding them.

Through his writing, Ezekiel taught us to think critically and honestly about our country and culture. That’s why he is called a true patriot.

Plot Summary of the Poem (by Devangini Vyas)

In the poem The Patriot, Nissim Ezekiel presents a dramatic monologue by a man who calls himself a great Indian patriot. He claims to believe in peace, non-violence, and unity, but his words are full of contradictions and prejudice.

He says he supports all religions but threatens violence against Muslims. He praises Indian democracy but also shows a deep colonial mindset by admiring Western habits. His speech, filled with broken English and confusion, shows how some people blindly repeat slogans without truly understanding them.

Through this ironic and humorous character, Ezekiel criticizes fake nationalism and urges readers to think about what true patriotism really means.

Critical Analysis of the Poem (by Shrusti Chaudhari)

Nissim Ezekiel’s The Patriot is a powerful satirical poem that criticizes fake nationalism, cultural confusion, and blind imitation of the West in post-independence India. The poem is written as a dramatic monologue in broken English, where the speaker proudly calls himself a patriot but reveals his ignorance, prejudice, and contradictions.

Ezekiel uses irony and humor to show how many people use big words like “peace” and “democracy” without understanding them. The speaker says he is not communal but also says he will kill Muslims, showing the hypocrisy behind his so-called patriotism.

Through this confused and comic character, Ezekiel gives a serious message: True patriotism is not about loud slogans or Western habits—it is about self-awareness, honesty, and unity. The poem makes us reflect on the real meaning of being an Indian in a modern world.

Stanza-wise Thematic Study of The Patriot (By Trupti Hadiya)

Stanza 1: Patriotism and Peace

The speaker claims to believe in peace and non-violence, showing himself as a Gandhian. But this belief is shallow, as later stanzas show contradictions.

Theme: False patriotism, superficial ideals

Stanza 2: Communal Tension and Hypocrisy

He says, “I am not a communalist” but also says he would kill Muslims, which shows his communal mindset.

 Theme: Religious hypocrisy, danger of hate speech

Stanza 3: Western Influence and Identity Crisis

The speaker talks about eating Western food and reading English authors, showing his fascination with Western culture.

Theme: Cultural imitation, loss of identity

Stanza 4: Empty Pride in Democracy

He claims India is great because it is a democracy but gives no real reason. His knowledge is surface-level and borrowed.

Theme: Shallow nationalism, blind praise

Stanza 5: Global Unity vs Local Prejudice

He says “All world is one family,” but earlier expressed hatred, showing contradiction between words and actions.

 Theme: Pretended universalism, moral confusion

Stanza 6: Desperation and Self-importance

He says he will commit suicide if people don’t like him, revealing his emotional immaturity and need for attention.

 Theme: Ego, performative patriotism

Conclusion

Each stanza in The Patriot exposes a different layer of the speaker’s ignorance, prejudice, and insecurity. Through irony and satire, Ezekiel highlights how true patriotism requires understanding, not just words.

Two Ways to Read The Patriot

(By Rajdeep Bavaliya)

Nissim Ezekiel’s poem The Patriot can be read in two different ways:

1. As a Satire and Mockery

The speaker uses big words like “peace” and “non-violence” but also says he’ll kill Muslims. His speech is full of contradictions, broken English, and shallow thinking. Ezekiel uses irony and humor to expose fake patriotism and ignorance.

2. As an Affectionate Portrayal

At the same time, the speaker seems like a simple, confused Indian trying to be modern and patriotic. His broken language shows effort, not just foolishness. Ezekiel may be laughing with him, not at him, showing empathy and tolerance.

Conclusion

The Patriot is both a sharp satire and a gentle portrait of an Indian trying to find his place in society. It shows how patriotism can be sincere, even if it’s flawed.

The Speaker’s Broken English: Satirical, Sympathetic, or Both?

(By Sagar Bokadiya)

In The Patriot, the speaker’s broken English is meant to be both satirical and sympathetic. Nissim Ezekiel uses the flawed language to create humor and irony, showing how the speaker misuses big ideas like peace, democracy, and patriotism. This makes the poem a satire on blind nationalism and empty slogans.

However, Ezekiel does not simply mock the speaker. His tone is also understanding and human. The speaker is not evil—he’s just confused, insecure, and trying to belong in a modern India. Ezekiel shows us a man shaped by a mix of cultures, struggling to express himself.

Conclusion

Ezekiel balances humor with respect by exposing the speaker’s contradictions while also showing his genuine emotions and hopes. The result is a poem that is funny, honest, and deeply human.

Style and Form of The Patriot

(By Krishna Vala)

Nissim Ezekiel’s The Patriot is written in the form of a dramatic monologue, where a single speaker directly addresses the audience. The speaker’s broken English is intentional, capturing the way many Indians speak in a post-colonial, English-speaking world.

Language and Tone

The language is simple, unpolished, and filled with errors, which adds humor and irony.

The tone is a mix of satirical and sympathetic—while the speaker is mocked, he is also shown as a well-meaning but confused person.

Structure

The poem is written in free verse—there is no rhyme scheme or regular meter.

This gives it a natural, speech-like flow, making the speaker sound more realistic and relatable.

Use of Irony

Ezekiel uses verbal irony to show the gap between what the speaker says and what he actually means or believes.

Conclusion

The poem’s style—dramatic monologue, broken English, free verse, and irony—helps Ezekiel present a powerful critique of false patriotism, while also making the speaker human and believable.

Reference:

“T       The Patriot by Nissim Ezekiel.” Famous Poems, Famous Poets. - All Poetry, allpoetry.com/poem/8592073-The-Patriot-by-Nissim-Ezekiel.