Night of the Scorpion - Nissim Ezekiel

What is 'Night of the Scorpion' about?

This describes an event (a childhood memory). Is shows a clash or cultures within a culture - old superstitions and beliefs against more rationalist and sceptic modern ideas. It shows a poor rural community in a changing India. Are the neighbours a comfort or not?

Techniques used 

• Repetition - 'more candles, more lanterns, more neighbours' shows endless efforts to help and emphasizes how tedious it was
• Religious References - 'Evil One' - capital indicates a name - links the scorpion with the Devil. Prayer like quality 'May he...' shows they need to take comfort from a belief…