`The man without a Country` by Edward Everett Hale

Running Head : THE MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY

A Propaganda for Patriotism in Fiction

An Analysis of Edward Everett Hale 's The Man Without a Country

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It is seldom that the theme of patriotism is used in a short story and yet still come out as an interesting and well-written narrative even without considering the patriotic slant . There are many poems about loving one 's country but in verse , somehow , one could get away with using stock images and familiar metaphors like flag and country . In stories , however , the

tendency to be preachy and didactic affects the quality of a literary work . A sermon or a moralistic tale are generally perceived as inferior literary pieces because of the way they sacrifice certain elements as subtlety and irony in favor of making sure that the moral lesson is prioritized and put across . Edward Everett Hale 's short story , A Man Without a Country , however , is successful in that although the story is purposive towards awakening feelings of patriotism in the reader for his native land , the background plot is both touching and interesting . It is not only about patriotism , it is also the drama of a man who has lost something and has to deal with the loss all his life , all the while yearning silently to regain it

Philip Nolan , the protagonist , is a young officer in the army who becomes accused as accessory to charges of treason simply because he has the misfortune of being good friends with...