The Night of the Scorpion

Front

What event does the poem 'The Night of the Scorpion' revolve around?

Back

The poem revolves around the night the speaker's mother was stung by a scorpion.

Front

How did the scorpion come to sting the mother?

Back

The scorpion crawled beneath a sack of rice due to ten hours of steady rain.

Front

What did the peasants do when they heard about the scorpion sting?

Back

The peasants came in swarms, buzzing the name of God a hundred times to paralyze the Evil One.

Front

What did the peasants use to search for the scorpion?

Back

They used candles and lanterns, which cast giant scorpion shadows on the walls.

Front

What was the mother's condition after being stung?

Back

The mother twisted in pain, groaning on a mat.

Front

What was the father's approach to treating the mother?

Back

The father, being a sceptic and rationalist, tried every curse and blessing, including powders, mixtures, herbs, and even paraffin.

Front

What did the father do with paraffin?

Back

He poured a little paraffin on the bitten toe and put a match to it.

Front

What was the outcome of the treatment after twenty hours?

Back

After twenty hours, the poison lost its sting.

Front

What was the mother's reaction after the ordeal?

Back

The mother expressed gratitude, saying, 'Thank God the scorpion picked on me and spared my children.'

Front

What themes are explored in 'The Night of the Scorpion'?

Back

Themes of suffering, faith, the struggle between good and evil, and the bond of family are explored.