Title: Night of the Scorpion
Poet: Nissim Ezekiel
Central Idea: The poem describes a night when the poet’s mother was stung by a scorpion. It highlights the selfless love of a mother and the various reactions of the villagers, the father, and the mother herself. The central idea revolves around the opposite thoughts and actions of people in times of trouble, and the mother’s ultimate relief and gratitude for her children’s safety.
Rhyme Scheme: The poem does not follow any rhyme scheme. It is written in free verse.
Figures of Speech:
- Simile: “The peasants came like swarms of flies” – compares the villagers to flies to show their number and restlessness.
- Metaphor: “Parting with his poison” – refers to the scorpion releasing its venom.
- Alliteration: “With candles and with lanterns” – repetition of the ‘w‘ sound.
- Repetition: “May he sit still, they said” – the phrase is repeated to emphasize the villagers’ prayers.
Special Feature: The special feature of this poem is its narrative style and vivid imagery. Ezekiel’s use of free verse and detailed descriptions create a realistic and immersive experience for the reader. The poem also discriminates against different belief systems, such as superstition and rationalism, through the actions and words of the villagers and the father.
Favourite Line: “My mother only said Thank God the scorpion picked on me and spared my children.”
Why I Like This Poem: I like this poem because it beautifully captures the selfless love of a mother and the diverse reactions of people in a crisis. The vivid imagery and the emotional depth of the poem make it very engaging. The mother’s calm and loving response at the end of the poem is particularly touching and highlights the strength and resilience of a mother’s love.
"Night of the Scorpion" Appreciation in Paragraph Format- 1
“Night of the Scorpion” by Nissim Ezekiel tells about a night when the poet’s mother was bitten by a scorpion. The poem shows the mother’s love and how different people try to help. The villagers pray and do rituals, while the father uses medicine. In the end, the mother is just happy that the scorpion bit her and not her children.
The poem doesn’t follow a rhyme scheme. Ezekiel uses comparisons and repetition to make the story vivid. He compares the villagers to hives of flies and describes the scorpion’s venom as “parting with his poison.” The villagers’ prayers are repeated to show their efforts.
The special thing about the poem is its detailed storytelling and clear pictures, making the reader feel like they are there. It also shows the difference between superstitious beliefs and scientific thoughts through the characters.
My favourite line is: “My mother only said Thank God the scorpion picked on me And spared my children.” This line shows the mother’s love. I like this poem because it shows how people react differently in a crisis and highlights a mother’s deep love. The clear descriptions and emotions make the poem touching and easy to understand.
"Night of the Scorpion" Appreciation in Paragraph Format- 2
The poem “Night of the Scorpion” is written by Nissim Ezekiel. The poem tells about a night when the poet’s mother was stung by a scorpion, highlighting the selfless love of a mother and the varied reactions of the villagers, the father, and the mother herself. The central theme revolves around the contrasting beliefs and actions of people during a crisis, ultimately highlighting the mother’s relief and gratitude for her children’s safety.
The poem is written in free verse, without a strict rhyme scheme. Ezekiel uses several figures of speech to enhance the poem’s impact. For instance, the simile “The peasants came like swarms of flies” compares the villagers to flies, showing their number and restlessness. The metaphor “Parting with his poison” refers to the scorpion releasing its poison. Alliteration is evident in the phrase “With candles and with lanterns,” where the repetition of the ‘w’ sound adds a rhythmic quality. Repetition is used effectively in “May he sit still, they said,” emphasizing the villagers’ prayers.
A special feature of this poem is its narrative style and vivid imagery. Ezekiel’s use of free verse and detailed descriptions create a realistic and immersive experience for the reader.
My favourite line in the poem is “My mother only said Thank God the scorpion picked on me And spared my children.” This line fully captures the essence of a mother’s selfless love.
I like this poem because it beautifully describes the diverse reactions of people in a crisis and the profound love of a mother. The amazing imagery and emotional depth make the poem engaging, while the mother’s calm and loving reaction at the end highlights the strength and resilience of a mother’s love.
