TO
INDIA MY NATIVE LAND
HENRY LOUIS VIVIAN
DEROZIO
SUMMARY
The Poet was describing
his motherland, his country as a god. He expresses that during ancient time,
his nation was brilliant and wealthy in each field. It was a period when India
was renowned for advanced civilizations and rich social customs. People from
everywhere the world used to visit India and gain proficiency with its ancient
knowledge, culture, and abilities. India was worshiped like a goddess, who had
a brilliant halo close to its forehead. Yet, time has changed thus has the
writer's motherland. India no longer supports its magnificence and greatness.
It is subject to the authority of the British who have utilized and destroyed
it. The British government scoured India for their nation's benefits causing
its condition to deteriorate step by step.
In
the following lines, the poet portrays India as an eagle, a bird of huge power
however this bird is secured in chains. Its wings have been cut and it can't
fly. The Britishers have bound our country by making it their slave. It aches
for its freedom and its previous glory yet it is rejected that. For that reason
the writer says it is “groveling in the lowly dust". The poet further says
that he has no flowers to weave a "wreath" or garland for his
motherland. His country which has been corrupted and depleted has lost every
one of its assets. There are not even any flowers left with which he could
worship his nation or make a wreathe for her.
In
the following lines, the poet promises to bring his nation back from this
corrupting state to its previous condition of glory. He promises to dive into
the profound depths of glorious Indian history and bring the materials for
future improvement. These materials are tiny and superb that they may not be
noticeable to the natural eyes. Indeed, the Britishers have attempted to hide
away these by expressing them as useless and old fashioned. In any case, the
poet stands against that. He will work hard to save his nation and to return it
to its previous glory. This is his one final wish for his country, India.
The
poem is a renowned patriotic poem by Derozo. He communicates pity at the
condition of his country and desires to make a superior future for it. Through
this poem, he communicates his plan to spread historical awareness among
Indians. He turns to his country to wish him karma. If he succeeds, he doesn't
need anything consequently from his country. This poem may have been composed
to alert the Indians of the need of great importance.
1) What
does the man feel as he comes home from his travels in foreign countries?
Ans: The poet visualizes a man who doesn't feel a sense
of having a place with his own country. At the point when the man gets back
from his travels in foreign nations, he feels no pride or energy. His cash and
influence baits him and he endeavors to get back to the unfamiliar land for his
influence and wealth.
2) Which line from the poem tells us that the
man is selfish? Why is he considered so?
Ans: The line, "The wretch, concentred all in
self" lets us know that the poet believes the man to be self centered. He
is considered because that he can't love his own country. He is so put
resources into himself that he doesn't feel a feeling of having a place with
his own nation when he gets back from an unfamiliar land.
3) What is the man’s fate after death? How do
we know?
Ans: At the point when he passes on, he will go to the
useless dust from where he was conceived. After his death, nobody will sing for
him, or honor him. The lines, "And, doubly dying, shall go down/To the
vile dust, from whence he sprung," let us know this.
4) Do you think this is a just punishment? Why
or why not?
Ans: Yes, the punishment is legitimized in light of the
fact that when an individual doesn't cherish his own country, the place where
there is his ancestors he is certainly a selfish and self centered man and is
now dead of soul he doesn't merit being regarded even after his death.
5) Critical appreciation of to India- my native land.
Ans: In this poem, To India: My Native Land each expression of
Derozio communicates out his enthusiasm in his heart for his country. The poet
conceives his native land for example India which in the past had a supreme
situation on the country however presently the nation has been shamed to the
most extent. The poet in this poem communicates his distress over the lost
glory of India which has lost its glory. India was being worshiped by other,
her prominence was past correlation. The poet says that India is a country
which had a wonderful past and had the abilities of giving spiritual leadership
to different countries yet presently India was oppressed. She has been
overwhelmed by an unfamiliar power. Subsequent to being overpowered by the
unfamiliar power the condition of the nation is pitiful and such run down
condition harms the poet. She has lost her honor and glory. The display of the
nation seems dull to the poet as the past wonder of the nation has disappeared
totally. The poet says the India is presently experiencing very much like an
eagle suffers when it is chained. He wants to plunge into the past so he could
bring the parts of India's glorious past and greatness them inspire current
generation and countrymen to battle against the unfamiliar power for their
country's lost glory honor and renown. He needs people to recall the golden
time of our country.
6) What is theme of poem and central idea of
it?
Ans: The theme of the poem is patriotism. The author talks
about the past glory of India and how the country that was called the ‘Golden
Eagle’ has been enslaved. All the countries looked up to her for her spiritual
leadership. It is too sad that such glory and reverence is not found in her any
more. The reason is, she is now bound by the chains of slavery. His purpose is
to sing the glory of that heritage of the distant past which is lost and longs
for the return as well as hopes for a kind wish from the country and its
people. The poet recalls India’s glorious past civilization. Her fame and
spiritual message had spread throughout the world. She was worshipped like a
goddess. A country that used to soar high like an eagle is now grovelling in
the infamous dust. Instead, it leads him to tell a sad tale of her miserable
state. The miserable condition of the country does not inspire the poet to sing
a song in her praise.
7)
Justify the title of the poem to India my native land?
Ans:
The poem 'To India My Native Land' has been composed by Henry Louis Vivian
Derozio. The poet talks about the greatness, glory and the beauty of his
country. The poet needs to tell about the wonderful and wealthy past India had.
The poet needs to tell about the past in which the country was considered as a
'golden bird'.
