Compare the methods used to show aspects of peoples lives in Night of the Scorpion with the methods used to sow aspects of peoples lives in one other poem.

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Compare the methods used to show aspects of people’s lives in “Night of the Scorpion” with the methods used to sow aspects of people’s lives in one other poem.

In “Night of the Scorpion” – Nissim Ezekiel we are able to see how a threatening moment allows a community to display their traditions to save a life.

In “What Were They Like?” – Denise Levertov we see how devastation of war can lead to the deterioration of a culture.

Both use structure to show peoples lives. “What Were They Like?” uses questions and answers, the fact that the questions are separated from the answers shows that the poet is answering the questions herself but is also separating herself as she doesn’t want to be associated with the war against a peaceful nation. The questions are straight forward but the answers are quite detailed, these two points together create a sympathetic portrayal of people who live simple, plain lives working in the paddy fields. It could also be said that it’s a soldier reporting back because of the use of the word “Sir”. In contrast Ezekiel uses a traditional layout, with only two stanzas, the lines lengths are irregular and unrhymed but there is a loose pattern of full stops every 3-4 lines but still flows thoroughly.  

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In “What Were They Like?” the tone of questions seem uninterested but then the answers are dramatic and emotive for example the people’s “quiet laughter” is contrasting against “burned mouths”. The word “burned” is a connotation of how their culture and lives were also “burned” along with the people who were actually murdered, as US soldiers killed innocent civilians. Similarly in the “Night of the Scorpion” the tone changes as we read and find out acout aspects of their lives. This helps alleviate the realism in the poem as it’s a short narrative, which sounds like a speech where we ...

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