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Introduction "Obituary" is one of A. K. Ramanujan’s most well-known and frequently anthologized poems. As a modern Indian poet writing in English, Ramanujan blends personal memory, cultural identity, and irony to reflect on the complexity of familial relationships and postcolonial Indian life. This poem appears in his collection Relations and is a poignant yet ironic account of the speaker’s father’s death and its aftermath. The title itself sets the tone—a cold, detached term typically associated with formal newspaper notices, which contrasts sharply with the personal and emotional content of the poem. Summary The poem begins with a list of what the father left behind after his death: debts, daughters, a bedwetting grandson, and an old house. There is no mention of wealth or proud legacy. Instead, the inheritance is deeply ironic and burdensome. The speaker notes how his father’s obituary appeared in the newspaper, not as a tribute but as a formality—among column...

Introduction to the Poem and the Poet "Night of the Scorpion" is a renowned poem by Nissim Ezekiel, one of the foundational figures in Indian English poetry. Ezekiel was known for his modern outlook and realistic portrayal of Indian society, often capturing the clash between traditional beliefs and modern thinking. In this poem, he presents a vivid narrative inspired by a real incident from his childhood, blending personal memory with universal themes such as fear, faith, and maternal love. The poem is a reflection on how individuals and communities respond to suffering, and it shows Ezekiel’s ability to present ordinary events in a deeply meaningful way. Detailed Summary of the Poem The poem begins with a sudden incident on a rainy night when a scorpion, seeking refuge from the downpour, enters the poet’s house and stings his mother. The poet, who was a child at the time, recalls the dramatic events that followed. As soon as the scorpion disappears into the darkn...