A Critique of Three Memorable Poems of Nissim Ezekiel: “Night of the Scorpion”, “Background, Casually” and “Jewish Wedding in Bombay”.

Abstract

The paper deals with three memorable poems of “Nissim Ezekiel”, “Night of the Scorpion” and “Jewish Wedding in Bombay”. The first poem is a poem of situation on the theme of mother's scorpion bite and the reactions that followed. The poem is typical of an Indian scene which appeals to the readers. It is marked by irony. “Background, Casually” is an autobiographical poem in which Ezekiel's ancestry has been personalized. Though he hails from the Jewish Community, he assimilated himself to the Indian situation. No wonder, he asserts his Indian nationality in no certain terms. “Jewish Wedding in Bombay” is about the rituals of a Jewish marriage. It seems to be a ritual mechanically followed. Finally after ten years of marriage, a time comes for separation between the bridegroom and the bride. It ends wittily when the poet asks how to return one's virginity which defies an answer.