Mother's Selfless Love: The poem's strongest theme is the mother's unconditional love. After twenty hours of pain, the mother's only thought is not about her own suffering but a prayer of gratitude. Her final words, "Thank God the scorpion picked on me / And spared my children," highlight the depth of her maternal love. It surpasses even extreme physical pain and overshadows superstition and rationalism.

Superstition: The poem presents a clear contrast between the villagers' superstitious beliefs and the father's rational, scientific approach. The villagers' attempts to "paralyse the Evil One" by chanting God's name. They believe that the pain was burning away the mother's past life sins (Karma). It represents the deep-seated superstition in rural Indian life.

Rationalism: The father, a "sceptic, rationalist," tries to use modern methods like powders, mixtures, herbs. Even he uses the desperate act of pouring paraffin. 

The Struggle Between Good and Evil: The scorpion is a symbol of evil, fear, and sudden danger. The villagers' chants and the holy man's incantation are attempts to defeat this "Evil One." However, the mother's final expression of selfless love provides comfort. 

Suffering and the Idea of Karma: In the poem, the villagers believe the mother’s pain is connected with Karma. They say her suffering will remove the sins of her past life, and reduce her bad luck in the next life. This shows that people use religion and belief to explain sudden pain or problems. They try to find meaning in suffering by thinking. It will make the person spiritually pure.

Rural Indian Life and Setting: The poem takes place on a rainy night inside a simple mud house in a village. The villagers come in large numbers, “like swarms of flies.” They bring candles and lanterns because there is no electricity. This setting shows the simple life of rural India. It also explains why superstition and fear are common. The villagers try to help, but their methods are not very effective.