The Patriot // Solution // treasure trove // poems

"THE PATRIOT" Treasure Trove Workbook Solutions/Notes

The Patriot Solutions/Notes, poem written by Robert Browning

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UNSOLVED PASSAGES

PASSAGE-1

(i) The patriot, who was welcomed over a year ago, after his grand victory, by the people, reminded him of his past, since all these same people now hate him, and hurled stones at him, even during his execution.

(ii) A year ago, this same patriot was welcomed by the people, and his path was strewn with fragmented roses, and people were mad with zeal, and enthusiasm to see him, come back after his grand victory.

(iii) The 'bells' that are being referred to here are the bells of a church tower, which was decorated for the patriot's welcome. They were rung in the honor of the patriot's return.

(iv) The fact that the patriot thinks that even if he had demanded the sun, from the sky, the people would still have granted that to him, because of their happiness. This tells that the patriot was swayed by the enthusiasm. The sight of the same people now wanting him to die, and hurling stones at him even during his execution, proves him wrong.

(v) The patriot is punished for a certain 'misdeed' that he did, which made all the people turn against him. Seeing the same people who once loved him, a year ago, now hating him, and wanting him to be executed, makes him sad.

PASSAGE-2

(i) The patriot was welcomed a year ago for his victory, as a hero. To welcome him, his path was filled with roses, church towers were decorated, and blazed with victory flags, people cheered for him, etc. was done.

(ii) The speaker is now in a mood of joy, and happiness when he about the time he had a year ago. At present, he is now on his way to the Shamble's Gate, with his hands tied, about to be executed.

(iii) The fact that he thinks that his people would have done anything for him, tells us that he was overambitious. As a result, only because of one misdeed, he is now being taken to the gates of death, on the will of the same people, he thought loved him.

(iv) 'Harvest' is referring to the reward he got, for the victory he got for his people, according to the speaker. The speaker has reaped the reward of hate, and death, from the same people, who once welcomed him.

(v) He is being led to the Shamble's Gate, where then he will be executed on the scaffold. The thought of hate and betrayal surged from his people, who, a year ago, welcomed and honored him, makes him reconcile with his fate.

PASSAGE-3

(i) Most of the people had left the town, so as to get to the Shamble's Gate, to watch the patriot get executed on the scaffold.

(ii) The patriot, who a year ago, was welcomed by the people for his grand victory, is led to the gallows. He had done one misdeed, which made the people completely blind to see all his good deeds and lead him to his death.

(iii) The people tried to be at the Shamble's Gate or near the scaffold, so as to get a better view of the execution. 'Shambles' Gate means a place of execution of a person.

(iv) This line means that only a few people that were afflicted with paralysis, were at the windows of their houses.

(v) The poet does so, by first giving the description of the patriot's life a year ago, which he represents as though the patriot himself is remembering those days, as he is being led to the Shamble's Gate.

PASSAGE-4

(i) The speaker of this extract is the patriot. At present, he has entered the Shambles' Gates, and now being led to the scaffold, in the rain, with his hands tied, and stones flying at him, about to be executed.

(ii) Since all his people have now turned against him in hate just because of his one misdeed, and ignored all his good, and lead him to his death, with still hurling stones at him even though he is about to be executed, tells us that he is being treated very harshly.

(iii) Some people still had hurled stones at him, even though he was about to be executed, have done so because they are cruel, and hate him just for the one bad deed that he had committed.

(iv) The same people, who are now wanting the patriot to be executed, just over a year ago, treated him with honor, happiness, and had a welcoming nature for him after his grand victory.

(v) I think that the mentality of the crowd is fickle-minded, and evil, as they are immediately ready to execute him, just because of one misdeed, when he had gotten a grand victory for his people.

PASSAGE-5

(i) This line means that the patriot entered his city amid great rejoicings and honor. Now, he is leaving it in great humiliation, insult, and hate.

(ii) The patriot thinks that if he had died in excess of joy at his tumultuous welcome after his grand victory, then God would not have cared for him since he would have been rewarded by the people.

(iii) The thought of the fact that now since the people had now rewarded him with hate, and death, instead of love and honor, God will now reward him in heaven after his death.

(iv) The irony involved here is the fact that the patriot is going to get executed by the same people, for whom he risked his life for the grand victory. A year ago, they welcomed him and honored him, and now these people have brought the patriot to death's gates.

(v) The patriot's optimism is unrealistic, as he believes that although he will be executed by the same people that once loved him, he will find peace, and love in the arms of God, upon his death, ignoring the fact that he will forever be remembered in hatred by the people, for his one mistake, and that the people will now forget all the sacrifices he made for them and the hard work he did for them, even after he dies.

BY ABHINAV ABHIJEET