Night of the Scorpion

Poetry | Nissim Ezekiel

Examine the character of the mother in “Night of the Scorpion.”

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Examine the character of the mother in “Night of the Scorpion.”

or How does the ending of the poem highlight her selfless and unconditional love?  ✪✪✪

“Night of the Scorpion” (1965) shows a real memory from his young life. The poem tells how his mother suffers after a scorpion sting. The focus of the poem is her calm mind and strong love. The villagers fear the poison. The father tries many ways. But the mother stays quiet. Her words at the end show her selfless heart. 

Deep Suffering: The mother feels great pain for long hours. The poet says, 

“My mother twisted through and through.” 

She lies on a small mat. She fights the poison alone. She tries not to cry. She keeps her mind steady. This shows her strong spirit. Her pain is sharp. The poet sees the fear in the room. But he also sees her silent strength. Her b
ody suffers, but her mind stays calm.

Calm Presence: The mother says nothing during the long night. She does not blame anyone. She does not shout. The poet says she lay “groaning on a mat.” This shows soft pain. She suffers from a quiet heart. Her silence shows a strong will. She does not argue with the villagers. She lets them pray. She lets the father act. Her calm face brings some peace. Her quiet nature shows her deep patience.

Inner Strength: The mother does not fight the acts around her. The holy man chants. The father burns the toe. The villagers sit near her. She watches all with soft eyes. She trusts the moment. Her strength comes from a steady mind. The poet watches her and learns. Her body is weak, but her heart is strong. The line 

“After twenty hours it lost its sting.” 

shows she waited with hope. Her inner strength keeps her safe.

Selfless Heart: The end of the poem shows her love. The mother speaks only one line. She says, 

“Thank God the scorpion picked on me and spared my children.”

These words show her pure care. She forgets her pain. She thinks only of her children. Her love is simple but strong. This love rises above the fear of death. Her selfless heart shines in one line. The poet remembers this forever.

True Motherhood: The mother’s words show true motherly care. She is ready to take all the pain. She wants her children to be safe. Her pain becomes small next to her love. She fears no loss. She fears no hurt. She thinks only of the good of her children. This is real motherhood. Her final line shows her nature. Her actions show her heart. The poet wants us to see this deep truth.

The mother in this poem is a strong and loving figure. She faces pain in silence. She stays calm in fear. She trusts her family. She endures long hours without anger. Her last line shows true love. She accepts pain for her children. The poet shows her as a symbol of strong motherhood. Her love becomes the heart of the poem.

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