Night Of The Scorpion Analysis

A Humanistic Approach to Nissim Ezekiel’s poem, Night of the Scorpion
Ethical Humanism is primarily an attitude about human beings, their worth, and the significance of their lives. It is concerned with the nature and quality of living; the character and creativity of our relationships. Because of this concern, humanism spontaneously flowers into a spiritual movement in its own right.
- Edward Ericson The American Humanist Association defines Humanism as a progressive life stance that, without supernaturalism, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead meaningful, ethical lives capable of adding to the greater good of humanity. Humanity plays a vital role in the life of the people, who want to live a meaningful life. It is also essential

The poet shares his childhood experience through this poem. Though he is a child, he observes the surroundings, and his is a vivid account of how his mother is stung by a scorpion. By giving the title Night of the Scorpion, he makes it clear that really the night belongs to the scorpion. In the beginning, he focuses on the scorpion and describes its entry. Ten hours of steady rain brings it to the house and it hides under the sack of rice. Usually, Scorpions use their sting for a variety of purposes. The most obvious use of the sting is in prey capture. Unfortunately, the poor mother is stung by the poisonous scorpion. The villagers gather in the house and say, for every inch of a movement the scorpion makes on ground the poison would spread thick and fast in the mother’s blood and consequently they comb the house and its surroundings. As a poet, he proves his excellence through a lifelike description of the situation. After sometime the villagers pray for the suffering mother. They sound outright superstitious. To console the pitiful mother they surround her and talk to her. The poet’s father, a rationalist tries his best to save his wife. At the same time, he doesn’t resist the villagers’ beliefs. The highlight of the poem is the mother’s selfless love. The poet concludes the poem with this remarkable substance. As an Indian writer he gives importance to feelings, emotions and