🦂 Chapter 18 – Night of the Scorpion

✍️ Poet: Nissim Ezekiel
 📚 Genre: Narrative Poem


📖 ✨Summary (Long Notes Style)

This emotional and symbolic poem by Nissim Ezekiel describes a terrifying night when the poet's mother is stung by a scorpion. The incident happens in a rural village where superstition and faith dominate the thinking of the people.

🌧️ It begins on a rainy night. A scorpion sneaks into the poet’s house and stings his mother. Immediately, villagers gather around and chant prayers, trying to drive away the "evil" they believe has entered her body.

🧙‍♂️ They say things like:

⚕️ Meanwhile, the father (a rationalist) tries traditional medicine, herbs, and even burns the toe with a flame to relieve her pain.

Despite all this, the mother doesn’t blame anyone, and in the end she simply says:
 "Thank God the scorpion picked on me and spared my children."
 💔 This one line shows a mother’s unconditional love and the power of sacrifice.


🎯 Main Themes

Theme

Description

Emoji

Mother’s Love

Pure, selfless and full of sacrifice

❤️👩‍👦

Superstition vs Science

Villagers believe in prayers, father tries science

🔮⚕️

Rural Life & Beliefs

The poem reflects village thinking and traditions

🏡🙏

Pain & Suffering

The poem shows how pain can test love and belief

😣🔥

Human Emotions

Fear, love, helplessness all shown deeply

😨💓😔


🧑‍🎓 Characters / Groups

Character / Group

Role in the Poem

Emoji

Mother

Victim of scorpion sting; symbol of love

👩‍👦❤️

Father

Tries scientific methods for relief

👨‍🔬🔥

Villagers

Use chants and superstition to help

👨‍🌾📿

Scorpion

Bringer of pain; symbol of fate/suffering

🦂⚡


💬 Important Lines & Meanings

🗣️ “With every movement the scorpion made, his poison moved in mother’s blood.”
 💡 Shows the fear and seriousness of the sting.

🗣️ “Thank God the scorpion picked on me and spared my children.”
 💡 Highlights a mother’s deep love and selflessness.


📌 Important Questions & Answers


❓ Q1. What is the poem “Night of the Scorpion” about?

✅ Answer: The poem describes a night when the poet’s mother is stung by a scorpion. It shows how villagers rely on superstitions, the father tries science, and the mother shows selfless love.


❓ Q2. How did the villagers react to the scorpion sting?

✅ Answer: They chanted prayers, burned incense, and gave superstitious advice. They believed it would reduce her suffering and cleanse her sins.


❓ Q3. What was the father's approach to cure his wife?

✅ Answer: The father, a sceptic and rationalist, used powders, herbs, and even burnt her toe with a flame hoping to neutralize the poison.


❓ Q4. What is the significance of the mother’s final words?

✅ Answer: Her words show pure maternal love. Despite being in pain, she’s grateful that her children were not harmed. It reflects her sacrificing nature.


❓ Q5. How does the poem contrast science and superstition?

✅ Answer: The villagers use chants and rituals (superstition), while the father uses medicine and logical methods (science), showing two sides of belief in rural India.


📚 Word Meanings / Glossary

Word

Meaning

Emoji

Scorpion

A poisonous insect

🦂

Buzzed

Moved around with a humming sound

🐝

Sceptic

A person who doubts things

🤔

Rationalist

One who believes in logic & science

⚙️🧪

Sacrifice

Giving up something for others

🙏💔


🧭 Moral of the Poem

"A mother’s love is selfless and powerful. Even in pain, she thinks of her children."
 It also makes us think about the difference between blind faith and logical thinking.