Question

Read the following extract from Robert Browning's poem, “The Patriot” and answer the question that follows.

Alack, it was I who leaped at he sun To give it my loving friends to keep! Nought man could do, have I left undone: And you see my harvest, what I reap This very day, now a year is run.

1. What can you conclude of the Patriot's mood from the given lines?
   Quote the line from the given extract which tells us that the Patriot did his utmost to satisfy his people?   [3]
2. The last line of the extract suggests that a year has gone by.
   How had the speaker been treated a year ago?   [3]
3. How did the situation change a year later? Give details of his present state.   [3]
4. Why were only a ‘palsied few” onlookers seated at the windows?
   ‘Where had the other townspeople gone?‘Why had they gone there?   [3]
5. How is the speaker's faith in God revealed at the end of the poem?
   Do you think the poem ends on a note of hope or despair? Justify your answer.   [4]

Answer 1

1. From the given lines in Robert Browning's poem "The Patriot," it can be concluded that the Patriot's mood is one of disappointment and disillusionment. He reflects on his past actions, where he ambitiously attempted to achieve great feats ("leaped at the sun") for the benefit of his people, only to find himself facing a dire outcome a year later. The tone suggests a somber realization that despite his efforts and sacrifices, the reward or "harvest" he receives is not what he had hoped for, indicating a sense of betrayal or failure.
   The line that explicitly states that the Patriot did his utmost to satisfy his people is: "Nought man could do, have I left undone:" This line conveys that he did everything within his power, leaving no effort untried, to fulfill his duties or achieve his goals for the benefit of his people. It underscores his commitment and dedication, contrasting sharply with the lack of appreciation or reward he perceives he has received in return.

2. In Robert Browning's poem "The Patriot," the last line of the extract, "This very day, now a year is run," indicates that a year has passed since a significant event. A year ago, the speaker, the Patriot, was treated as a hero by his people. The beginning of the poem describes how he was welcomed with enthusiasm and celebration; roofs were adorned for him, and the path was strewn with roses as he was cheered by the crowds. This jubilant reception reflects how highly he was esteemed and loved by the public at that time.

   This stark contrast with his current state, where he faces disappointment and a grim outcome, underscores a drastic change in his fortune and public perception within the span of just one year. The poem captures the fleeting nature of fame and public favor, showing how quickly and dramatically a hero can fall from grace, moving from adoration to condemnation.

3. A year after the initial celebrations and adoration, the situation for the Patriot in Robert Browning's poem "The Patriot" has drastically changed for the worse. His present state is one of despair and downfall. The poem details how the once-celebrated hero is now facing extreme public and possibly legal retribution.
   Details of his present state include:
   
   1. Lack of Public Support: From being lauded and celebrated, the Patriot now faces a complete reversal in public opinion. There is no longer any sign of the earlier admiration or support.
   2. Facing Punishment: As the poem progresses beyond the provided extract, it becomes clear that he is being led to his execution. The crowds that once cheered for him are now silent or hostile, and the path that was once strewn with flowers for him to walk on in glory is likely the path he walks toward his execution.
   3. Moral and Spiritual Insights: Although he faces a grim fate, there is a deeper undercurrent of spiritual insight and possibly redemption as he contemplates his relationship with God in the closing lines of the poem, suggesting that he seeks a higher judgment beyond human justice.
      This shift from being a beloved hero to a condemned traitor within a year underscores the central theme of the poem: the precariousness of political and public life, where acclaim can quickly turn to blame and where one's fate can be dramatically reversed by the changing tides of public and political opinion.
4. In Robert Browning's poem "The Patriot," the reference to only a "palsied few" onlookers being seated at the windows reflects the drastic shift in public interest and sentiment from the previous year. Initially, the Patriot was celebrated by the masses with great enthusiasm, but a year later, the situation is starkly different.
   1. The term "palsied few" suggests that only a small number of feeble or less significant onlookers remain to witness the Patriot's current state, contrasting sharply with the large crowds that had once celebrated him. This limited presence of onlookers could imply that they are either indifferent, unable to participate more actively due to their physical condition, or possibly they are the only ones left who retain any interest in his fate, albeit perhaps out of morbid curiosity rather than support.
   2. The majority of the townspeople are likely gathered elsewhere along the route that the Patriot is being taken. This is common in public executions or significant public punishments, where the main events and actions draw the largest crowds.
   3. The townspeople had likely gone to witness the Patriot's punishment or execution. In the context of the poem, this shift from adoration to attending his downfall highlights the fickleness of public opinion and the harsh realities of political life. The people who once celebrated him might now be participating in or witnessing his ultimate disgrace, possibly driven by a sense of betrayal, a shift in political winds, or simply the human tendency to be drawn to dramatic and conclusive events.
5. In Robert Browning's poem "The Patriot," the speaker's faith in God is revealed in the final lines where he expresses hope for ultimate justice and redemption in the afterlife, despite his current dire circumstances. The poem arguably ends on a note of hope, despite the overt tone of despair throughout. This suggestion of hope is based on the following justifications:
   1. Spiritual Resolution: The speaker reflects on his earthly tribulations and concludes that while he may have been repaid by the world with betrayal and punishment, it is ultimately God's judgment that matters. He implies that God's understanding and repayment will be just and true, suggesting a belief in a higher form of justice that transcends human judgment.
   2. Faith in Divine Justice: His statement "I am safer so" reveals a deep-seated faith in divine justice and providence. This demonstrates his mental shift from seeking validation and safety from worldly acclaim to finding peace and safety in God's hands, indicating a spiritual transcendence over his worldly fate.
   3. Contrast between Earthly and Heavenly Judgments: The Patriot contrasts his dire physical reality with the spiritual safety he feels in placing his fate in God's hands. This contrast not only highlights his faith but also suggests a hopeful outlook on the eternal state of his soul beyond the immediate suffering.
      
      Although the physical and societal circumstances suggest despair, the Patriot's personal resolution and spiritual insight at the poem's conclusion offer a poignant glimpse of hope, grounded in his unwavering faith in a just and merciful divine judgment. This spiritual dimension adds a layer of complexity to the poem, showing how personal faith can provide solace and redemption even in the darkest moments.