The Night of the Scorpion – Detailed Summary (By Nissim Ezekiel)
The poem “The Night of the Scorpion” by Nissim Ezekiel is a vivid recollection of an incident from the poet’s childhood. It blends Indian rural traditions, the tension between superstition and rationality, and the deep selflessness of a mother’s love. Through rich imagery and contrasting viewpoints, the poet captures how an entire community reacted when his mother was bitten by a scorpion on a stormy night.
The Incident – The Scorpion’s Sting
It was a night of heavy rainfall, with water pouring for almost ten hours without a break. In search of shelter, a scorpion crept into the family’s home and hid behind a sack of rice. Suddenly, it struck—its poisonous tail delivering a sharp sting to the poet’s mother’s toe. Without lingering, it disappeared into the rainy darkness outside.
The sting caused instant, severe pain. The poet recalls the sight of his mother twisting and groaning in agony, her suffering dominating the tense atmosphere of the night.
The Villagers Arrive – Superstition and Sympathy
As news spread, the villagers, described as “peasants” in the poem, hurried in. They came in large numbers, carrying lanterns and candles, moving “like swarms of flies.” They gathered around the mother, offering words of sympathy mixed with traditional beliefs.
The villagers believed that the poison in her body moved with every movement of the scorpion. They hoped to find and kill it to stop the poison’s spread. They also believed her suffering was a way to purify her soul, burning away sins from her previous life. Some said her pain would protect her children from future harm.
Despite their efforts, they could not find the scorpion. The poet notes how the villagers’ presence filled the house with an atmosphere of chanting, murmured prayers, and whispered superstitions.
The Father’s Role – Rationality in Action
The poet’s father, unlike the villagers, was a rationalist. He believed in science and logic, not superstition. Yet, his desperation to save his wife pushed him to try every possible remedy.
He applied powders, herbs, and medicinal pastes to the sting. When these failed, he resorted to a risky method—pouring paraffin oil on the wound and setting it alight with a matchstick, hoping the heat would neutralize the poison. The poet, as a child, watched in both fear and fascination as flames touched his mother’s skin.
The Holy Man’s Rituals
A holy man also visited the house during the night. He performed sacred rites, chanted incantations, and recited prayers meant to counteract the poison’s effect. His rituals reflected the religious faith and spiritual practices deeply rooted in the community.
Relief After Suffering
For twenty long hours, the mother endured intense, burning pain. Gradually, the effects of the sting faded, and she began to recover. The poet’s description makes it clear that no single method—science, religion, or superstition—could be credited for her recovery.
When the ordeal ended, the mother’s reaction was not to complain about her suffering, but to thank God for sparing her children. Her first thought was of their safety, not her own pain.
Themes and Message
The poem is rich in contrasts:
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Superstition vs. Rationality – Villagers rely on beliefs and rituals, while the father turns to medical remedies and logic.
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Faith vs. Science – The holy man’s prayers run alongside the father’s treatments.
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Selfless Love of a Mother – The mother’s ultimate relief is that her children are safe, showing her deep sacrifice and devotion.
The poem captures the essence of Indian village life, where tradition, faith, and modern thought coexist in times of crisis. It’s a tribute to maternal love, portraying a mother as strong, selfless, and enduring, even in great pain.
Conclusion
“The Night of the Scorpion” is more than just an account of a scorpion sting—it is a layered portrayal of community bonds, cultural beliefs, the clash between tradition and reason, and the timeless, universal love of a mother. Nissim Ezekiel’s vivid storytelling allows readers to feel the tense atmosphere of that rainy night and witness the resilience of the human spirit.