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Night of the ScorpionNight of the Scorpion
Poems from Different Poems from Different CulturesCultures
Slide Contents
AuthorAuthor
Social & Historical ContextSocial & Historical Context
What is it About?What is it About?
StructureStructure
LanguageLanguage
Examination PreparationExamination Preparation
LinksLinks
The The AuthorAuthor
Nissim EzekielNissim EzekielNissim Ezekiel was born in Bombay to Jewish parents in 1924. 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.
Social & Social & Historical Historical ContextContext
ReincarnationReincarnationThe 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.
What is it What is it About?About?
Scorpions
Brainstorm what you know Brainstorm what you know about scorpions. Use a spider about scorpions. Use a spider diagram to help you organise diagram to help you organise
your ideasyour ideas..
appearanceWhere they live
How they live
What you know about them
Things you associate with them
Superstitions
Superstition Meaning
Smashing a mirror Brings 7 years bad luck
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.
SuperstitionsWhich 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.
Night of the Scorpion story Night of the Scorpion story bookbook
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 pagesthat 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
What Happens?
Lines What is happening?
1 - 7 The scorpion comes into the home to escape the
rain and stings the poet’s mother
8 - 33
34 - 48
There are three main parts to the poem. Do you know what they are? The first one has been
done for you
StructureStructure
Staying FocusedStaying FocusedThis 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 Lines Focal points
1–7 36–40
8–15 41–3
16–33 44–5
34–5 46–8
StructureStructure
In my opinion Nissim Ezekiel has chosen to write In my opinion Nissim Ezekiel has chosen to write the last three lines separate from the rest of the the last three lines separate from the rest of the poem to show….poem to show….
I also believe that…..I also believe that…..
How are the last three lines of the poem structured?Why do you think the poet has done this?
Explain your answers in detail.
LanguageLanguage
ContrastContrast
TimidTimid DangerousDangerous
Many images of the scorpion contrast in the opening lines of the poem.
Find examples of each and add them to the columns below.
ImageryLook at the description of the village peasants. What does the imagery suggest about them?
The ImagesThe Images Notes on the imagesNotes 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’
Language Features
First Person : The poet uses ‘I’ and writes from his First Person : The poet uses ‘I’ and writes from his own own viewpoint. This suggests that the event viewpoint. This suggests that the event was a was a personal experience. Despite the personal experience. Despite the excitement excitement and fear the tone is quite and fear the tone is quite calm and factual.calm and factual.
Child’s Perspective : We see events through the Child’s Perspective : We see events through the eyes of a eyes of a child. The child is confused and fearful.child. The child is confused and fearful.
Religious language : The village is a devoutly Hindu Religious language : The village is a devoutly Hindu community where they believe in community where they believe in reincarnation. They talk of ‘previous reincarnation. They talk of ‘previous
birth’ birth’ and ‘new birth’.and ‘new birth’.
The poem uses three types of language.
Poetic Techniques
TechniqueTechnique DefinitionDefinition
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
Match the technique with the correct definition.
Poetic Techniques
TechniqueTechnique DefinitionDefinition
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
Match the technique with the correct definition.
Poetic TechniquesThink 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 Effectsimile ‘like
swarms of flies’
metaphor
Alliteration
onomatopoeia
Feelings Feelings and and AttitudesAttitudes
1. The child is afraid but admires the bravery of his mother.
2. His father and the villagers panic and hastily suggest religious remedies to help.
3. The poet seems to see the villagers as impractical and almost irritating which suggests the poet is critical of religion.
ExaminatiExaminationon
PreparatioPreparationn
The Examination PaperThe 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.
PlanningPlanning• 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.
StructureStructureA 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.
Making ConnectionsMaking Connections
Similarity Similarity ConnectivesConnectives
• Equally• In the same way• Similarly• Likewise• Just as…also
Contrast Contrast ConnectivesConnectives
• In contrast• However• Whereas (best
used in the middle of a sentence)
• On the other hand
Use a series of comparisons, using connectives to link ideas, both within paragraphs and between paragraphs.
Refer back to the question repeating the key words from it.
AnalysisAnalysisUse 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.
suggestssuggestsimpliesimplies
gives the impression thatgives the impression thatshowsshows
highlightshighlightsindicatesindicates
To make the same point using a different example, try one of these:
furthersfurthersemphasisesemphasisesreinforcesreinforces
RecapRecap1. When you are comparing poems you will be
asked to look for the similaritiessimilarities and the differencesdifferences.
2. You should comment on the languagelanguage they use. What poetic devicespoetic devices are present? Imagery, similes, metaphors, alliteration, onomatopoeia, personification, rhyme etc. What effect do they have on the What effect do they have on the readerreader?
3. You will need to comment on the structurestructure of the poems. How are they set out? Does Does this add to their overall this add to their overall effect/meaning?effect/meaning?
4. Consider the tonetone of the poems. What mood has the author created?
LinksLinks
Useful StuffUseful Stuff
Night of the Scorpion short films:http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=DAZ4YZlBYk4&feature=related
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=QOPIkYmI5_0&feature=related
BBC Bitesize Poems From Other Cultures:http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english/poemscult/ezekielrev2.shtml
More Useful StuffMore Useful Stuff
Annotated PPT version of Night Annotated PPT version of Night of the Scorpion of the Scorpion with notes & with notes & questionsquestions
http://www.sprowstonhigh.org/resources/english/KS4/Poetry/Poetry%20From%20Other%20Cultures/AQA%20poetry%202.ppt#299,16
