Aspect of Narrative in the Patriot

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How do the aspects of narrative create meaning in the poem, The Patriot? The Patriot, by Robert Browning, tells the story of a man being led to his execution in front of the public. The patriot has accepted that he is going to die, and realises that it is better to be removed from a world of corruption, to a place where it is more peaceful. Browning uses the aspects of scenes and places to describe the setting of the poem. The use of the plural ‘roofs’ shows that there are many houses in the area, and therefore many people to watch. This supports the idea that the execution is happening in a public place. In addition, by personifying the buildings ‘seemed to heave and sway’ implies that the houses are also watching the execution as extra onlookers. These adjectives also infer that the housing is weak as they ‘sway’ in the wind due to their poor quality, suggesting that people are living in poverty. Juxtaposed to the negative imagery the overcramped housing evokes, the words ‘roses’ and ‘myrtle’ have connotations of beauty and innocence. This could relate to the wider meaning of the poem as, despite the patriot marching towards the gallows, he knows he is going to a better place, empty of corruption and evil. The use of pathetic fallacy represents the patriot’s despondent feelings. Furthermore, the rain could also be used to reduce the patriot’s dignity. However, the rain could also symbolise the patriot becoming innocent, similarly with the roses and myrtle, as the water could be considered to be washing the patriot’s sins away. The poem was written during the Victorian era however, the actual year is not stated. This is evident through the description of a public execution which, obviously don’t take place now-a-days. In addition, the use of the old English vocabulary, ‘thus’ and ‘dost’ also tell the reader that the poem is set in the late 1800’s. Finally,
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