Night of the Scorpion: ASSEB (AHSEC) Class 12 Alternative English Notes

Who was stung by the scorpion?

The speaker’s mother was stung by the scorpion.

What kind of a night was it?

It was a dark and rainy night.

Who came like swarms of flies?

The village peasants came like swarms of flies.

Who is the 'Evil One' in the poem?

The scorpion is referred to as the 'Evil One' in the poem.

What will purify the flesh and soul of the mother?

The poison will purify the flesh and soul of the mother

What led the scorpion to crawl beneath the sack of rice ?

Ten hours of steady rain led the scorpion to crawl beneath the sack of rice. Which lines in the poem suggests the mother's suffering?

The following lines suggest the mother's suffering :

"My mother twisted

through and through, groaning on a mat".

Which word or phrase in the poem suggests that the scorpion represents something evil?

The phrase "diabolic tail" suggests that the scorpion represents something evil.

What does 'sun-baked walls' suggest in the poem?

The phrase "sun-baked walls" suggests that the walls of the speaker's hut were made of sun-dried mud.

What led to the formation of giant scorpion shadows on the walls of the speaker's hut?

The candles and lanterns used by the villagers to search for the scorpion created giant scorpion shadows on the walls of the speaker’s hut.

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What is the role of superstition in the poem? How do the villagers’ beliefs impact their actions and attitude towards the mother?

Superstition plays a important role in the poem as it impacts the villagers' beliefs, activities, and attitude towards the mother. The villagers believe that the scorpion's poison moves in the mother's blood with its every movement. The villagers sit around her, chanting prayers and performing rituals to neutralize the poison's impact. Their faith in the power of prayer and their superstitions shape their activities as they attempt to paralyze the "Evil One" and reduce the mother's affliction. The villager’s reliance on superstition shows their ingrained religious and cultural beliefs, which direct their reaction to misfortune.

What does the mother's reaction to the scorpion's sting suggest her character?

The mother's reaction to the scorpion's sting suggests her resilience and selflessness. Regardless of persevering through massive pain and agony, her quick concern is for her children’s safety. She offers thanks that the scorpion picked her rather than her children. Her reaction uncovers her sacrificial nature and unconditional love for her family. Her character is depicted as strong, enduring and self sacrificing, ready to bear the suffering herself to safeguard her family.

What are the themes and ideas explored in the poem?

The poem explores the themes like superstition, faith, human compassion, solidarity, birth and afterlife sin and redemption, and the conflict between belief and rationality. It dives into the power of prayer and conventional rituals, comparing them with rationality and modern medicine.. The poem likewise features the role of motherhood, depicting the mother's sacrifice and love for her children. Moreover, it presents the unity and support of the villagers in times of adversity and considers the cultural and religious values that shape their beliefs and actions.

Describe the use of language and vivid imagery by the poet.

The poet uses language and vivid imagery to make a sensory experience for the reader. The use of similes and metaphors, for example, contrasting the scorpion's tail with a "poison-flash" and portraying the scorpion's shadows on the walls, adds profundity and visual effect on the poem. The imagery of candles, lights, and giant scorpion shadows against the mud-baked walls enhances the atmosphere and intensifies the scene. The poet's language is simple yet suggestive, successfully conveying the emotions and experiences of the characters.

How do the religious and cultural references in the poem contribute to its themes?

The religious and cultural references in the poem contribute to its themes by featuring the villagers' belief systems and their reaction to misfortune. The mention of God and the continued chanting of prayers mirror the religious faith common in the village. The cultural references, such as the rituals performed by the holy man and the dependence on conventional remedies, portray the villagers' adherence to customs and superstitions. These references add profundity to the exploration of faith, superstition, and the concurrence of traditional and modem beliefs and practices. They likewise reflect the cultural context and societal values that shape the characters' activities and attitudes.

What according to you is the central theme of the poem? How does it develop in the poem?

The central theme of the poem "Night of the Scorpion" by Nissim Ezekiel is the understanding of human faith and superstition in the face of adversity. The poem dives into the responses and beliefs of the villagers when the speaker's mother is stung by a scorpion. It features the conflict between traditional beliefs and rationality, and explores themes of birth and eternity, sin and redemption, and the power of motherly instinct.

The theme creates through the portrayal of the villager's responses. They assemble around the mother and resort to different superstitions practices, chanting prayers and performing rituals is an attempt to counter the poison's effects. The poem depicts the villagers' strong faith in God and their faith in the power of prayer done in the group. Then again, the speaker's father, depicted as a "sceptic, rationalist," attempts to track down a reasonable answer for the issue, utilizing various cures and even depending on fire.

All through the poem, the speaker questions the the power of these rituals and communicates a more rational viewpoint. However, the poem proposes that both traditional beliefs and modern medication can be given together to lighten suffering, giving light on the significance of finding a balance between belief and reason.

How does the poem bring forth the strong sense of solidarity among the village folk of India?

The poem "Night of the Scorpion" depicts the sense of unity among the villagers in India at the time of distress. The villagers' prompt reaction to the mother's injury is to assemble around her, offering their help and trying to lesser down her suffering. The poem depicts how the villagers come and join at a place, repeating the name of God and chanting prayers in unison to "paralyse the Evil One." They make an environment of communal solidarity, with candles and lanterns creating giant scorpion shadows on the sun-baked walls. Their activities mirror a well established faith in the power of joint prayer and the strength that comes from unity. Moreover, the poem features the villager's sympathy and compassion. In spite of their various beliefs and superstitions, the villagers display a common concern for the mother's well-being. They express their wishes for her suffering to decrease and asking the favor of good and evil to tilt towards her so that it can be balanced.