Night of the Scorpion by Nissim Ezekiel Summary and critical analysis

 

Night of the Scorpion

I remember the night my mother
was stung by a scorpion. Ten hours
of steady rain had driven him
to crawl beneath a sack of rice.

Parting with his poison - flash
of diabolic tail in the dark room -
he risked the rain again.

The peasants came like swarms of flies
and buzzed the name of God a hundred times
to paralyse the Evil One.

With candles and with lanterns
throwing giant scorpion shadows
on the mud-baked walls
they searched for him: he was not found.
They clicked their tongues.
With every movement that the scorpion made his poison moved in Mother's blood, they said.

May he sit still, they said
May the sins of your previous birth
be burned away tonight, they said.
May your suffering decrease
the misfortunes of your next birth, they said.
May the sum of all evil
balanced in this unreal world

against the sum of good
become diminished by your pain.
May the poison purify your flesh

of desire, and your spirit of ambition,
they said, and they sat around
on the floor with my mother in the centre,
the peace of understanding on each face.
More candles, more lanterns, more neighbours,
more insects, and the endless rain.
My mother twisted through and through,
groaning on a mat.
My father, sceptic, rationalist,
trying every curse and blessing,
powder, mixture, herb and hybrid.
He even poured a little paraffin
upon the bitten toe and put a match to it.
I watched the flame feeding on my mother.
I watched the holy man perform his rites to tame the poison with an incantation.
After twenty hours
it lost its sting.

My mother only said
Thank God the scorpion picked on me
And spared my children

 

Night of the Scorpion by Nissim Ezekiel is a narrative poem that recounts the events of a night when the speaker’s mother was stung by a scorpion.

The poem begins with the speaker recalling a specific night when his mother was stung by a scorpion. There was a continuous heavy rain, after ten hours of steady rain. The scorpion sought shelter from the rain by hiding beneath a sack of rice, where the poet's mother encountered it. The scorpion sought refuge under a sack of rice, possibly attracted by the warmth or dryness. "Parting with his poison - flash" This line describes the moment when the scorpion stung the mother, injecting its venom. The "flash" suggests a sudden movement. The tail of the scorpion, associated with evil or devilishness, is mentioned, emphasizing the fear and darkness of the room where the incident occurred. After stinging the mother, the scorpion came out into the rain once more, possibly seeking further shelter or escaping.

 

The villagers or peasants arrived in large numbers, depicted as buzzing flies, upon hearing about the incident. They invoked the name of God multiple times, suggesting an intense appeal for divine intervention or protection against evil. The villagers prayed to get rid of the the evil influence of the scorpion, indicating their belief in the power of prayer to combat malevolent forces. They  used candles and lanterns to light up the dark room, enhancing visibility and creating an atmosphere of vigilance. The light from the candles and lanterns cast large shadows of the scorpion, magnifying its menacing presence on the walls. The walls of the room were made of mud, underscoring the rural setting of the poem. Despite their efforts, the villagers failed to locate the scorpion, indicating the elusive nature of the creature.

"They clicked their tongues" This phrase suggests a sound of disapproval or frustration from the villagers at their inability to find the scorpion. The villagers believed that every movement of the scorpion caused the venom to spread within the mother's body. The villagers expressed a wish for the scorpion to remain motionless, possibly to prevent further harm or to make it easier to locate.

The villagers hoped that the mother's extreme suffering can easily purify her soul.  The villagers wished for the mother's pain to lessen, expressing empathy and compassion towards her plight, and also hoped that the mother's suffering would mitigate any misfortunes she might face in future lives. The villagers wished for the collective evil in the world to diminish as a result of the mother's suffering, suggesting a belief in the redemptive power of suffering.The phrase "unreal world" refers to the transient and illusory nature of existence, highlighting the belief that suffering can lead to spiritual growth or enlightenment. The villagers believed that the mother's suffering would contribute to the reduction of evil in the world, leading to a greater balance of good.

The villagers expressed a hope that the venom would cleanse the mother's body of impurities, both physical and spiritual, suggesting a desire for spiritual enlightenment or liberation. The villagers extended their well-wishes for the mother's recovery and comfort, emphasizing their solidarity and support for her. The mother is depicted as the focal point of attention, surrounded by the villagers who have gathered to offer their prayers and assistance. Despite the tense situation, there is a sense of calm and understanding among the villagers, reflecting their acceptance of the natural order and their faith in the power of prayer.

The scene is described as becoming increasingly illuminated and crowded, with more candles, lanterns, and neighbors joining the gathering. The atmosphere is characterized by the persistent rain and the presence of insects, enhancing the sense of discomfort. The mother is depicted as contorting in extreme pain, emphasizing the severity of her condition, her audible groans, indicating the intensity of her pain.

The speaker's father is portrayed as a skeptic and rationalist, suggesting a contrast in beliefs and approaches to dealing with the situation compared to the villagers' faith-based response. Despite his skepticism, the father attempts various methods, including curses and blessings, in an effort to diminish the mother's pain.

The father tries different remedies, including traditional and possibly unconventional treatments as an antidote to the of the scorpion’s venom. He finally tries paraffin, a flammable substance, as a form of treatment, indicating his desperation and willingness to try anything to help the mother. He applies paraffin directly to the mother's bitten toe and ignites it with a match, possibly in an attempt to neutralize the venom through heat.

The speaker observes the flame consuming the paraffin and affecting his mother's body, adding a sense of helplessness and distress to the scene. Alongside the father's efforts, a holy man or religious figure conducts rituals to counteract the poison with prayers or incantations, highlighting the blending of scientific and spiritual approaches to healing.

Eventually, the potency of the scorpion's venom diminishes, suggesting that the mother's condition begins to improve. Despite her suffering, the mother remains composed and grateful for her survival. The mother expresses gratitude that she was the one stung by the scorpion, sparing her children from harm, demonstrating her selflessness and resilience in the face of adversity.

 

Night of the Scorpion by Nissim Ezekiel explores themes of suffering, community, spirituality, and resilience. Through the lens of a personal experience, the poet's mother being stung by a scorpion. The poem delves into the complexities of human reactions The poem unfolds as a narrative, with a clear chronological progression from the moment the scorpion stings the mother to the eventual relief of her suffering. This narrative structure allows the poet to engage the reader by immersing them in the unfolding events.

Ezekiel employs rich and vivid imagery throughout the poem to evoke the rural setting and the emotional intensity of the situation. The scorpion, with its "diabolic tail" and "flash" of poison, becomes a potent symbol of malevolence and suffering. The rain, candles, lanterns, and mud-baked walls all contribute to the atmosphere, enhancing the sensory experience for the reader.

The poem is steeped in religious and cultural references, particularly Hindu beliefs and rituals. The villagers invoke the name of God and recite prayers to combat the evil influence of the scorpion. Concepts such as reincarnation, karma, and spiritual purification are woven into the villagers' responses, reflecting a deep-rooted faith in culture and religion.

The villagers' response to the mother's plight highlights the theme of community and solidarity. Despite their differences in beliefs and backgrounds, they come together to support and assist one another in times of crisis. The collective efforts of the villagers, from reciting prayers to trying various remedies, underscore the importance of communal bonds in overcoming adversity.

The poem also explores the tension between skepticism and faith, embodied in the contrast between the poet's father, a "skeptic, rationalist," and the villagers, who rely on religious rituals and superstitions. This conflict of beliefs adds depth to the poem, raising questions about the nature of belief and rationality.

At its core, Night of the Scorpion celebrates the resilience and selflessness of the mother, who remains a powerful figure in the poem. At the end of the poem she expresses gratitude that her children were spared. Her willingness to endure suffering for the sake of her family epitomizes maternal sacrifice and underscores the enduring bonds of love and protection within the family.