The Night of the Scorpion QA

2 Marks Questions (Summary)

1. Who was stung by the scorpion?

The poet’s mother.

2. What kind of a night was it?

The night was dark and also had been raining for long.

3. Who came like swarms of flies?

The village peasants.

4. Who is the ‘Evil One’ in the poem?

The Evil One is the scorpion that stung the poet’s mother.

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

The poison will purify the flesh and soul of the mother.

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

The scorpion had craw led beneath a sack of rice to seek protection and shelter from the rain.

7. Which lines in the poem suggests the mother’s suffering?

The line ‘my mother twisted through and through, groaning on a mat’ shows that the mother had been in pain.

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

The religious and cultural references in “The Night of the Scorpion” contribute significantly to the themes explored in the poem.

9. What forced the scorpion to take shelter in the poet’s house?

The heavy rain forced the scorpion to seek shelter inside the poet’s house, in a sack of rice.

 10. What does the phrase ‘to paralyse the evil’ mean in stanza 3?

The villagers believe the scorpion is an evil creature and their prayers aim to stop the negative effects of the scorpion bite that is to paralyse its ill effects.

11. Who are ‘they’ in stanza 4?

 “They” refers to the villagers who came to the poet’s house after his mother was stung by a scorpion.

12. Who does the word ‘him’ refer to in line no.3?

 “Him” in line 3 refers to the scorpion.

13. Why does the poem begin with the poet’s remembering the night?

The poet begins the poem by remembering the night because as a child on that night along with a crisis, he had experienced the culture and superstition of the villagers, his father’s determination as a rationalist and his mother’s love.

14. When did the Mother find relief?

The mother finds relief after twenty hours when the effects of poison starts to fade. She finds relief in knowing that her children were unharmed.

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

In the poem “The Night of the Scorpion” by Nissim Ezekiel, the word “diabolic” suggests that the scorpion represents something evil. The word “diabolic” means devilish or wicked, indicating a malevolent presence associated with the scorpion. This term reinforces the negative connotation surrounding the creature and implies that it symbolizes an evil force or menace within the poem.

16. What does ‘sun-baked walls’ suggest in the poem?

In the poem “The Night of the Scorpion” by Nissim Ezekiel, the phrase “sun-baked walls” suggests a harsh and arid environment. It conveys the intense heat and dryness of the surroundings where the events take place. The term “sun-baked” implies that the walls have been exposed to the scorching rays of the sun for an extended period, emphasizing the unforgiving nature of the climate. This imagery helps create a vivid setting for the poem, enhancing the atmosphere and contributing to the overall tone.

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

In the poem “The Night of the Scorpion” by Nissim Ezekiel, the formation of giant scorpion shadows on the walls of the speaker’s hut is a result of the flickering candlelight or lantern light. The poem describes how the villagers, upon hearing about the scorpion bite, gather around the speaker’s mother with candles and lanterns, creating a dimly lit environment. The speaker explains that the candle and lantern flames cast distorted shadows on the walls, creating the illusion of giant scorpions looming in the darkness. Determination and fortitude in the face of adversity. She endures the pain without complaint and displays a remarkable strength of character. Her response embodies the notion of maternal love and protection, as she remains resilient and selfless, even in the midst of a distressing and potentially life-threatening situation.

Exploration of the poem and enrich the overall imagery.

(d) Descriptive Language: The poet uses descriptive language to capture the atmosphere and mood. He refers to the “swarms of flies” and the “drums and tambourines” of the villagers. These descriptions not only evoke specific sounds and images but also create a sense of urgency and intensity within the poem.

(e) Repetition: Ezekiel employs repetition for emphasis and rhythm. The phrase “they said” is repeated several times, emphasizing the spread of information and the communal response. The repetition of “thank God” at the end reinforces a sense of relief and gratitude, leaving a lasting impact on the readers.

Overall, Nissim Ezekiel’s use of language and vivid imagery in “The Night of the Scorpion” brings the poem to life, enabling readers to visualize the events, feel the emotions, and engage with the themes explored within the poem.