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 firstpoem is a poem of situation on the theme of mother's scorpion bite andthe reactions that followed. The poem is typical of an Indian scenewhich appeals to the readers. It is marked by irony. “Background,Casually” is an autobiographical poem in which Ezekiel's ancestry hasbeen personalized. Though he hails from the Jewish Community, heassimilated himself to the Indian situation. No wonder, he asserts his Indian nationality in no certain terms. “Jewish Wedding in Bombay” isabout the rituals of a Jewish marriage. It seems to be a ritualmechanically followed. Finally after ten years of marriage, a timecomes for separation between the bridegroom and the bride. It endswittily when the poet asks how to return one's virginity which defies ananswer.