Night Of The Scorpion Summary By Nissim Ezekiel

Understand the themes and events of Nissim Ezekiel’s “Night of the Scorpion” poem with our concise and engaging summary. Explore the imagery, symbolism, and cultural context in this classic work of Indian literature.

Introduction

“Night of the Scorpion” is a poem by Indian poet Nissim Ezekiel that tells the story of a family’s experience with a scorpion sting. The speaker, the poet himself, recounts a night when a scorpion stung his mother, and the family’s efforts to cure her using traditional rural beliefs and customs. The poem reflects on the mother’s strength, faith, and resilience, as well as the power of the scorpion’s sting. The poem highlights the importance of perseverance and the human spirit in the face of hardship, and serves as a tribute to the wisdom and customs of rural communities.

English Summary – “Night Of The Scorpion”

“Night of the Scorpion” is a poem by Indian poet Nissim Ezekiel that describes a family’s experience with a scorpion sting. The poem is written in first person, allowing the reader to experience the event as if they are there.

The poem opens with the speaker, the poet, describing a night in which a scorpion has stung his mother. The family is poor and lives in a rural area. Despite the pain, the mother is more concerned about her family than her own well-being. She tells them to gather all the cow dung they can find and make a fire, which she believes will cure the venom.

Throughout the poem, the speaker reflects on the beliefs and customs of the rural community, as well as the power of the scorpion’s sting. The family and neighbours gather around the fire, and the mother continues to suffer from the pain of the venom. The speaker reflects on the power of the scorpion, both in the physical sense of its sting and the spiritual sense of its supposed powers.

The speaker then recalls a wise man who says that the scorpion’s sting is not only a physical wound, but a spiritual wound as well. The wise man says that the scorpion has been sent by God as a test of the mother’s faith. The speaker reflects on this and realises that the mother’s faith and strength are what is truly important in the face of hardship.

In the end, the speaker reflects on the enduring power of the mother’s faith, even in the face of the scorpion’s sting. The poem ends with the line “And the people said, it was a miracle,” indicating that the mother’s faith and strength in the face of hardship has been a source of inspiration for the community.

Night Of The Scorpion important MCQ

Night Of The Scorpion important MCQ

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About The Author

Nissim Ezekiel (1924-2004) was an Indian poet, playwright, and literary critic. He was born in Mumbai, India, and educated in England, where he received a degree in Philosophy, Political Science and Economics from University College London. Ezekiel was one of the pioneers of modern Indian English poetry and is considered one of the most important Indian poets of the 20th century. He was a recipient of numerous awards and honours, including the Sahitya Akademi Award, the Padma Shri, and the Padma Vibhushan. In addition to his poetry, Ezekiel was also known for his plays and critical essays, which often dealt with themes of Indian identity and the complexities of contemporary Indian society.

Night Of The Scorpion MCQs

Night Of The Scorpion important MCQ

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Conclusion – “Night Of The Scorpion”

Night of the Scorpion is a powerful poem that reflects on the power of faith and the strength of the human spirit in the face of hardship. Through the speaker’s reflections, the poem highlights the importance of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. The poem also serves as a reminder of the wisdom and customs of rural communities, and the power of traditional beliefs and practices in times of need.

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