Patriotism?

a word fraught with nuance depending upon who is defining the word.

       My pedestrian mind thought, "Flag." at the first. But that is not it. Dr. Johnson's oft quoted phrase comes to mind, " . . . the last resort of a scoundrel." which is interpreted thus, "Samuel Johnson said that patriotism is the last resort of a scoundrel. Of course he meant that false or pretended patriotism is the last resort of a scoundrel; or, in other words, that a scoundrel endeavors to hide his crimes and his criminal intentions and ingratiate himself in the hearts of the people by pretending to be patriotic." The American quip, "USA, love it or leave it." comes to mind.

      George Orwell (Eric Blair) wrote about nationalism and patriotism, "By ‘patriotism’ I mean devotion to a particular place and a particular way of life, which one believes to be the best in the world but has no wish to force on other people. Patriotism is of its nature defensive, both militarily and culturally."

       Ambrose Bierce, in his Devil's Dictionary, was as acerbic as Dr. Johnson but from a different perspective: Patriot, n. One to whom the interests of a part seem superior to those of the whole. The dupe of statesmen and the tool of conquerors. Patriotism, n. Combustible rubbish ready to the torch of anyone ambitious to illuminate his name.

       What does all this have to do with today? St George's day (in England) and Shakespeare's birthday? And a photograph of a book?