1. Poems from Different Cultures
Teacher-of-English.com
Night of the Scorpion
Poems from Different Cultures

2. Social & Historical Context Examination Preparation
Slide Contents
Author
Social & Historical Context
What is it About?
Structure
Language
Examination Preparation
Links

3. The Author

4. Nissim Ezekiel
Nissim Ezekiel was born in Bombay to Jewish parents in He was raised in a Hindu culture and was influenced by atheist views.
As a Jew living in a Hindu society Ezekiel was something of an outsider. ‘Not being Hindu I cannot identify myself with India's past as a comprehensive heritage or reject it as if it were mine to reject’. He wrote about modern India and the little mysteries of everyday life.

5. Social & Historical Context

6. Reincarnation
The Hindu belief in reincarnation is apparent in Night of the Scorpion. This is the idea that when individuals die the spirit leaves the body and is reborn into a new body. A person’s new self on reincarnation is determined by the good (or bad) things he or she has committed in his or her preceding life.
The spiritual aim of Hindus is to cleanse themselves in each new life so that finally they will attain moksha – freedom from the sequence of reincarnation when the spirit returns to the everlasting tranquility of the divine Brahman.

7. What is it About?

8. Brainstorm what you know about scorpions
Brainstorm what you know about scorpions. Use a spider diagram to help you organise your ideas.
Where they live
appearance
Scorpions
How they live
What you know about them
Things you associate with them

9. Superstitions Superstition Meaning Smashing a mirror
Many people are superstitious. This means that they have beliefs for which they have no logical rationalization. An example of such a superstition is that walking under a ladder brings bad luck. In pairs, list any superstitions that you know of.
Superstition
Meaning
Smashing a mirror
Brings 7 years bad luck

10. Discuss your findings with another pair.
Superstitions
Which superstitions do you act upon? What do you do? Do you believe in them? Why do you act upon them?
Discuss your findings with another pair.

11. Night of the Scorpion story book
A story book version of this poem is going to be made for five year olds. The poem will be used as the narrative for the book. Choose and describe up to six pages
that you think should be included in the book. Decide how you will tell the story in only six pages and include images from the poem. You could record your ideas in a storyboard like the one below. An example of a possible opening page has been done for you.
I remember the night my mother was stung by a scorpion

12. What Happens? Lines What is happening? 1 - 7
There are three main parts to the poem. Do you know what they are? The first one has been done for you
Lines
What is happening?
1 - 7
The scorpion comes into the home to escape the rain and stings the poet’s mother
8 - 33

13. Structure

14. Staying Focused
This is a narrative poem, it tells a story. Using the first person gives the feeling that it is told from personal experience. The focus of the poem moves about which conveys the way the narrator observes the scene.
Complete this table to show how the focal point of the poem changes.
Lines
Focal points
1–7
36–40
8–15
41–3
16–33
44–5
34–5
46–8

15. Structure How are the last three lines of the poem structured?
Why do you think the poet has done this?
Explain your answers in detail.
In my opinion Nissim Ezekiel has chosen to write the last three lines separate from the rest of the poem to show…. I also believe that…..

16. Language

17. Contrast Timid Dangerous
Many images of the scorpion contrast in the opening lines of the poem.
Find examples of each and add them to the columns below.
Timid
Dangerous

18. What does the imagery suggest about them?
Look at the description of the village peasants.
What does the imagery suggest about them?
The Images
Notes on the images
they ‘came like swarms of flies’
they ‘buzzed the name of God’
They threw ‘giant scorpion shadows /on the mud-baked walls’
They ‘clicked their tongues’

19. The poem uses three types of language.
Language Features
The poem uses three types of language.
First Person : The poet uses ‘I’ and writes from his own viewpoint. This suggests that the event was a personal experience. Despite the excitement and fear the tone is quite calm and factual. Child’s Perspective : We see events through the eyes of a child. The child is confused and fearful. Religious language : The village is a devoutly Hindu community where they believe in reincarnation. They talk of ‘previous birth’ and ‘new birth’.

20. Poetic Techniques Match the technique with the correct definition.
Technique Definition Metaphor The use of the same sound at the start of words Alliteration A figure of speech not meant literally Onomatopoeia a comparison between two different things, especially a phrase containing the word 'like' or 'as Simile A word which imitates the sound it represents

21. Poetic Techniques Match the technique with the correct definition.
Technique Definition Metaphor The use of the same sound at the start of words Alliteration A figure of speech not meant literally Onomatopoeia a comparison between two different things, especially a phrase containing the word 'like' or 'as Simile A word which imitates the sound it represents

22. Poetic Techniques Technique Evidence Effect simile
Think about the poetic techniques discussed on the last slide. Copy down the chart below. Find examples in the poem and write down the effect created.
Technique
Evidence
Effect
simile
‘like swarms of flies’
metaphor
Alliteration
onomatopoeia

23. Feelings and Attitudes
The child is afraid but admires the bravery of his mother.
His father and the villagers panic and hastily suggest religious remedies to help.
The poet seems to see the villagers as impractical and almost irritating which suggests the poet is critical of religion.

24. Examination Preparation

25. The Examination Paper You will have 45 minutes to answer the question.
You will be asked to compare two poems.
You should begin by annotating the question for the key words. This will help you to understand what you are being asked to do.
E.g. Compare the ways in which the poets present people in Night of the Scorpion and one other poem of your choice.

26. Planning
Spend between 5 and 10 minutes making a plan. This will help you to order your essay logically.
Make a note of any key ideas you are going to include.
Leave at least 5 minutes at the end to read through your work and check for any basic errors.

27. Structure A good answer should: Write in paragraphs.
Don’t forget to P.E.E! Using a range of quotes that are properly embedded within your answer.
Begin with an introduction and end with a conclusion.
There main body of the essay should follow these five steps to make a good answer:
Write a bit about the theme
Compare the structures of each poem
Compare the use of language in each poem
Compare the feelings of the poets
Write about how the poems make you feel.

28. Refer back to the question repeating the key words from it.
Making Connections
Use a series of comparisons, using connectives to link ideas, both within paragraphs and between paragraphs.
Similarity Connectives
Equally
In the same way
Similarly
Likewise
Just as…also
Contrast Connectives
In contrast
However
Whereas (best used in the middle of a sentence)
On the other hand
Refer back to the question repeating the key words from it.

29. gives the impression that
Analysis
Use the following words to link your Point -> Evidence -> Explain sentences. The use of these words will also help to ensure that your response is analytical.
suggests
implies
gives the impression that
shows
highlights
indicates
To make the same point using a different example, try one of these:
furthers
emphasises
reinforces

30. Recap
When you are comparing poems you will be asked to look for the similarities and the differences.
You should comment on the language they use. What poetic devices are present? Imagery, similes, metaphors, alliteration, onomatopoeia, personification, rhyme etc. What effect do they have on the reader?
You will need to comment on the structure of the poems. How are they set out? Does this add to their overall effect/meaning?
Consider the tone of the poems. What mood has the author created?

31. Links

32. Useful Stuff Night of the Scorpion short films:
BBC Bitesize Poems From Other Cultures:

33. More Useful Stuff
Annotated PPT version of Night of the Scorpion with notes & questions