Summary of 'To My Native Land'

 

In the poem, ‘To My Native Land’ Derozio personifies India and talks to her in a monologue. Derozio talks about the glorious past of India. This shows he was unhappy with the British rule in India. The poet expresses a sense of personal loss in the downfall of his country, India. Addressing India, the poet says that in the old days, India was worshipped as a goddess. The poet asks where that glory and splendour have disappeared. He regrets the fact that his motherland has now been reduced to the position of a slave of the British Empire. The internal weaknesses have brought the country slavery.

There was a time when the country soared like an eagle in the skies. It was a time when India was renowned for its highly developed civilization and extensive cultural traditions. Men of learning from all over the world came to India to learn and advance their civilisations. The poet portrays that during British rule, the nation had its wings cut. It is grovelling in the sand because of this. It represents the fact that the British government shut down India's development avenues.

The poet says that he has no wreath of flowers to offer the country.  But he will dig into the past and he will try to sing of some parts of that great history which is no longer available to the younger generation. At the end of the poem the poet demonstrates his selfless patriotic feelings by saying that he expects no worldly rewards for his efforts to regain the glory of his country. He wishes to have only the loving blessing of his Motherland.