COMPREHENSION

A. Answer these questions in one or two words.

1. Who was stung by the scorpion?

Ans:- The speaker's mother was stung by the scorpion.

2. What kind of a night was it?

Ans:- It was a rainy night.

3. Who came of flies?

Ans:- The peasants came like flies.

4. Who is the 'Evil One' in the poem?

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

5. What will purify the flesh and soul of the mother?

Ans:- The poison will purify the flesh and soul of the mother.

B. Answer these questions in a few words each.

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

Ans:- Ten hours of steady rain led the scorpion to crawl beneath the sack of rice.

2. Which lines in the poem suggests the mother's suffering?

Ans:- The lines "My mother twisted through and through, groaning on a mat" suggest the
mother's suffering.

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

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

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

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

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

Ans:- The candles and lanterns used by the villagers to search for the scorpion created giant
scorpion shadows on the walls.

C. Answer these questions briefly in your own words.

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

Ans:- Superstition plays a significant role in the poem as it influences the villagers' beliefs,
actions, and attitude towards the mother. The villagers believe that the scorpion's poison moves
in the mother's blood with its every movement. They gather around her, chanting prayers and
performing rituals to counteract the venom's effect. Their belief in the power of prayer and their
superstitions shape their actions as they try to paralyze the "Evil One" and alleviate the mother's
suffering. The villagers' reliance on superstition reflects their ingrained religious and cultural
beliefs, which dictate their response to misfortune.

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

Ans:- The mother's reaction to the scorpion's sting suggests her resilience and selflessness.
Despite enduring immense pain and agony, her immediate concern is for her children's safety.
She expresses gratitude that the scorpion chose her instead of her children. Her response
reveals her sacrificial nature and unconditional love for her family. Her character is portrayed as
strong, enduring, and self-sacrificing, willing to bear the suffering herself to protect her loved
ones.
3. What are the themes and ideas explored in the poem?

Ans:- The poem explores themes such as superstition, faith, human compassion, solidarity, birth
and afterlife, sin and redemption, and the conflict between belief and rationality. It delves into the
power of prayer and traditional rituals, juxtaposing them with rationality and modern medicine.
The poem also highlights the role of motherhood, portraying the mother's sacrifice and love for
her children. Furthermore, it presents the unity and support of the villagers in times of adversity
and reflects on the cultural and religious values that shape their beliefs and actions.

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

Ans:- The poet employs language and vivid imagery to create a sensory experience for the
reader. The use of similes and metaphors, such as comparing the scorpion's tail to a
"poison-flash" and describing the scorpion's shadows on the walls, adds depth and visual
impact to the poem. The imagery of candles, lanterns, and giant scorpion shadows against the
mud-baked walls enhances the atmosphere and intensifies the scene. The poet's language is
simple yet evocative, effectively conveying the emotions and experiences of the characters.

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

Ans:- Religious and cultural references in the poem contribute to its themes by highlighting the
villagers' belief systems and their response to misfortune. The mention of God and the repeated
chanting of prayers reflect the religious faith prevalent in the village. The cultural references,
such as the rituals performed by the holy man and the reliance on traditional remedies, depict
the villagers' adherence to customs and superstitions. These references add depth to the
exploration of faith, superstition, and the coexistence of traditional and modern beliefs and
practices. They also reflect the cultural context and societal values that shape the characters'
actions and attitudes.

D.Answer these questions in detail.

1. What according to you is the central theme of the poem? Ho does it develop in the poem?

Ans:- The central theme of the poem "Night of the Scorpion" by Nissim Ezekiel is the
exploration of human faith and superstition in the face of adversity. The poem delves into the
reactions and beliefs of the villagers when the speaker's mother is stung by a scorpion. It
highlights the clash between traditional beliefs and rationality, and explores themes of birth and
afterlife, sin and redemption, and the power of motherly instinct.
The theme develops through the depiction of the villagers' reactions. They gather around the
mother and resort to various superstitious practices, chanting prayers and performing rituals in
an attempt to counteract the venom's effects. The poem portrays the villagers' strong faith in
divine intervention and their belief in the power of collective prayer. On the other hand, the
speaker's father, described as a "sceptic, rationalist," tries to find a rational solution to the
problem, using different remedies and even resorting to fire.

Throughout the poem, the speaker questions the effectiveness of these rituals and expresses a
more rational perspective. However, the poem suggests that both traditional beliefs and modern
medicine can work together to alleviate suffering, emphasizing the importance of finding a
balance between faith and reason.

2. Comment on the poem's use of various literary devices.

Ans:- The poem "Night of the Scorpion" employs several literary devices to enhance its impact
and convey its themes. Some of these devices include:

- Imagery: The poem uses vivid and descriptive imagery to create a sensory experience for the
reader. Examples include "candles and lanterns throwing giant scorpion shadows," "mud-baked
walls," and "flame feeding on my mother." These images evoke a sense of the physical and
emotional turmoil within the scene.

- Metaphor: The scorpion in the poem serves as a metaphor for adversity or evil. It represents
the threat that can suddenly emerge in one's life, causing pain and chaos. The venom's spread
through the mother's body symbolizes the way suffering can affect not only the individual but
also those around them.

- Repetition: The poem utilizes repetition to emphasize certain ideas and create a rhythmic
effect. The repetition of phrases such as "they said" and "more" conveys the intensity and
urgency of the villagers' actions, as well as the overwhelming nature of the situation.

- Enjambment: The use of enjambment, where lines continue without pause or punctuation,
creates a flowing and uninterrupted narrative. It mirrors the continuous nature of the events
described in the poem and adds to the sense of tension and urgency.
3. How does the poem bring forth the strong sense of solidarit among the village folk of India?

The poem "Night of the Scorpion" portrays a strong sense of solidarity among the village folk of
India in the face of adversity. The villagers' immediate response to the mother's injury is to
gather around her, offering their support and attempting to alleviate her suffering.

The poem describes how the villagers come together, buzzing the name of God and chanting
prayers in unison to "paralyse the Evil One." They create an atmosphere of communal solidarity,
with candles and lanterns casting giant scorpion shadows on the walls. Their actions reflect a
deep-rooted belief in the power of collective prayer and the strength that comes from unity.

Furthermore, the poem highlights the community's compassion and empathy. Despite their
different beliefs and superstitions, the villagers display a shared concern for the mother's
well-being. They express their wishes for her suffering to diminish and for the balance between
good and evil to tilt in her favor.