Villagers and Belief: The villagers trust Karma and fate. They say many lines that start with “May.” They say, 

“May the sins of your previous birth be burned away tonight.” 

Father and Reason: The poet shows the father as a man of logic. He is called a “sceptic, rationalist.” He does not trust old beliefs. He tries many real things. He uses “powder, mixture, herb and hybrid.” He works with skill. He tries to stop the poison with true steps. He also burns the toe with paraffin. The poet says, 

“I watched the flame feeding on my mother.” 

Father and Action: The father acts fast. He tries each method. He wants to save his wife. He does not chant. He does not pray. He trusts his hands. He trusts his tools. He keeps hope. His acts show love and fear. He does not join the villagers. His path is different. His mind fights the poison. His steps show the modern world. He stands against belief. He shows clear thought.

Sharp Contrast: The poem builds a clear contrast. The villagers trust old beliefs. The father trusts science. The villagers pray for fate. The father fights the poison. The villagers see evil. The father sees a wound. The villagers sit and chant. The father works and thinks. Their words and acts stand apart. But both groups care for the mother. Both want her safe. The poet shows two worlds. The poem links fear, belief, and reason.

The poem gives a strong picture of two ways of thought. The villagers show fear and deep belief. Their words come from old ideas. The father shows logic and a clear mind. His acts come from reason. Both face danger. Both feel worried. But their paths differ. The poem shows how superstition and reason meet in one night. The poem shows the clash and the care.