The New Poets, Three Prose Writers & Conclusion

 The New Poets and Three Prose Writers

1. Write a critical note on any one of the poems by Nissim Ezekiel.

Ans.
Nissim Ezekiel’s poem The Patriot is one of his most widely discussed works because it combines humor, irony, and deep human warmth. The poem can be read in two different ways: as a satire that mocks the speaker’s broken English and naïve outlook, or as an affectionate portrayal of an ordinary Indian trying to make sense of the world. The second reading seems more convincing, as the poem ultimately leaves the reader with admiration for the speaker’s sincerity and generous spirit.

The title itself is important. The speaker begins by questioning why the world is full of fighting instead of following Mahatma Gandhi’s principle of peace and non-violence. He praises “ancient Indian wisdom” and criticizes the modern generation for being too obsessed with “fashion and foreign thing.” This establishes him as a patriotic voice who values simplicity and traditional ideals. Yet this patriotism is balanced with a desire to learn and connect with other cultures, as shown when the speaker admits to reading The Times of India to improve his English or when he quotes Shakespeare. Such moments prevent the poem from being a narrow, jingoistic celebration of nationalism.

The middle section of the poem shows the speaker’s innocence and humor. His offer of a glass of lassi as a healthier drink than wine is both comic and endearing. His insistence on being a “total teetotaller, completely total” reflects Ezekiel’s artful imitation of colloquial Indian English. Through this dialect, Ezekiel not only creates humor but also captures the rhythm and thought-pattern of the ordinary speaker.

Later, the poem touches on larger political concerns, such as the hostile behavior of Pakistan and China, but quickly shifts to a broader humanistic vision: “All men are brothers, no?” The speaker recognizes divisions within India itself but suggests tolerance as the only solution: “Still, you tolerate me, / I tolerate you.” The reference to Ram Rajya shows hope in India’s cultural heritage, yet the speaker also rejects unnecessary rituals, revealing a cosmopolitan openness.

Stylistically, Ezekiel employs devices like anaphora (“Why world is fighting fighting / Why all people of world”), repetition, allusion (to Shakespeare), and malapropism, which enrich the humor and rhythm of the poem. The ironic juxtaposition of serious political issues with everyday concerns like drinking lassi makes the voice of the speaker both comic and authentic.

In conclusion, The Patriot reflects Ezekiel’s mastery in portraying Indian identity with irony and affection. The poem laughs at the mistakes of the speaker’s English but never ridicules his ideals. Instead, it reveals an admirable figure: a simple, ordinary man who dreams of peace, tolerance, and human brotherhood. Ezekiel thus makes The Patriot both a humorous sketch and a profound social commentary.