Transcript Slide 1

Teacher-of-English.com
Night of the Scorpion
Poems from Different Cultures
Slide Contents
Author
Social & Historical Context
What is it About?
Structure
Language
Examination Preparation
Links
The Author
Nissim Ezekiel
Nissim 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 &
Historical
Context
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.
What is it
About?
Brainstorm what you know about
scorpions. Use a spider diagram to
help you organise your ideas.
Scorpions
Things you associate with them
Superstitions
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
Smashing a mirror
Meaning
Brings 7 years bad luck
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.
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
What Happens?
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
34 - 48
Structure
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
Lines
1–7
36–40
8–15
41–3
16–33
44–5
34–5
46–8
Focal points
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…..
Language
Contrast
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
Imagery
Look at the description of the village peasants.
What does the imagery suggest about them?
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’
Notes on the images
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’.
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
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
Poetic Techniques
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
Feelings and
Attitudes
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.
Examination
Preparation
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.
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.
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.
Making Connections
Use a series of comparisons, using connectives
to link ideas, both within paragraphs and
between paragraphs.
Similarity Connectives Contrast Connectives
• Equally
• In contrast
• In the same way
• However
• Similarly
• Whereas (best used in
the middle of a
• Likewise
sentence)
• Just as…also
• On the other hand
Refer back to the question repeating the
key words from it.
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
Recap
1. When you are comparing poems you will be
asked to look for the similarities and the
differences.
2. 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?
3. You will need to comment on the structure of
the poems. How are they set out? Does this
add to their overall effect/meaning?
4. Consider the tone of the poems. What mood
has the author created?
Links
Useful Stuff
Night of the Scorpion short films:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=DAZ4YZlBY
k4&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/e
nglish/poemscult/ezekielrev2.shtml
More Useful Stuff
Annotated PPT version of Night of the
Scorpion with notes & questions
http://www.sprowstonhigh.org/resources/e
nglish/KS4/Poetry/Poetry%20From%20Ot
her%20Cultures/AQA%20poetry%202.ppt
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