For Elkana

Chapter Summary

“For Elkana” is a poem about the lifestyle of the ordinary people of India. This poem was composed by one of the most popular contemporary writers in India Nissim Ezekiel. This poem is written in a simple and picturesque manner which is highly engaging to a reader of any age group. This poem is about a nuclear family of three people, that is, a husband, a wife and their beloved son.

The poem begins on a scenic note of an evening in April and everybody sat down in silence till the narrator’s wife brought up the topic of fixing a broken window pane. The narrator sarcastically mentions that his wife has been suggesting certain obvious things that every man would know except for her husband. The narrator did not want to raise a dispute and hence he did not pay much heed to the squabble of his wife. He agrees with her and then both of them were distracted by their child who was hungry and demanding food.

Their child was being persistent to have his dinner served right away. The mother broke into laughter which marked the end of the poem on a positive note. The narrator remarks that he is grateful to have such a loving wife who loves him despite all his flaws. The wife also enjoys having conversations over trivial issues. The child just like any other family is the source of their joy and charm in the house.

The subtlety with which the poet captures the general pattern of communication within a family

Nissim Ezekiel has beautifully penned down the very essence of the lives of a common Indian family. The wife tells her husband about the windowpane that needs to be fixed and she has been telling him about it for quite some time. It was followed by certain obvious comments that are well known to every husband in every Indian household.

The narrator however did not want to get engaged in any sort of dispute so he reluctantly agreed to his wife and did not pay much attention to the squabble. Meanwhile, their sevenyear- old child intervened with an urgent demand to have his dinner served. This is quite a general scenario to be seen in every family in India and is quite relatable to readers of all age segments.

Poetic effect is achieved in the poem through understatement and asides

This poem is written in a simple and engaging tone. However, the most important detail of the poem is the associated environment. The subtle mention of an evening in April when the summer is approaching bright and everybody sits together for a cup of tea in the evening.

The wife mentions filing the window pane. It is a relatively uncommon discussion to fix a broken window pane but it followed a simple squabble of a wife targeted to her husband. This adds an extra poetic element that draws a picture in the mind of a reader that one can relate to easily. All these understatements associated with the note of love that pertains to the family make the poem a light-hearted and engaging read.

How is the idyllic juxtaposed with the pedestrian in the poem?

The poet is famous for his writing style; he pioneered the style of abandoning the aspect of romance and incorporating ordinary settings in his poetic lines. He engaged the readers with common instances that a pedestrian would relate to within the daily course of life instead of using extravagant imageries of grandeur and romantic affairs.

Even in this poem, he used the theme of a common household. He beautifully mentions what a common household in the evening looks like. The idyllic is juxtaposed by incorporating random relatable themes in the poem that easy to paint a picture in the mind of a pedestrian. One they can easily relate with.

Explain the undertones in the statement: ‘Wife and husband in unusual rapport State one unspoken thought’.

This statement refers to the mutual understanding that exists between a husband and a wife. This line mentions the unspoken words that are mutually agreed upon by both individuals in a relationship. In this instance, both the mother and the father unequivocally yet silently nod to the aspect that their bickering needs to be put to a halt and they also silently agreed that their child needs to be more disciplined.

When the child repeatedly nagged about having his dinner served both of them looked at each other and understood that their discussion is interrupted. They understood now it is their parenthood that binds them together.

Capitalisation of all the words in the line: ‘Children Must be Disciplined’.

This line is important to be maintained in the lives of every household be it wealthy or poor. The children must be brought up with discipline so they do not become greedy and not act like a brat. When the child interrupted their discussion they gave each other a silent look and they both agreed the child needs to be more disciplined. Capitalisation stresses the authoritative aspect of the parents for the betterment of their child.

What makes the urgency of the child’s demand seem logical?

The seven-year-old is young and impatient. The boy continued to nag about the food and then he threw the logic that he would not be hungry later on. This logic made both the parents burst out in laughter and they both agreed that he needs to be served food immediately for his logic and wit.

FAQs

Q1. How did the poem begin?

Ans. The poem begins on the note of a picturesque element of an evening in April, a casual summer evening where families gather together. It followed a regular conversation and bickering that happens among a husband and wife in an average-earning family.

Q2. How was the child acting like?

Ans. The mother told him to wait for five minutes but the child was acting like a spoiled brat who wanted his dinner right at that movement. However, this instance broke the heat between the husband and wife and the poem ended on a light note.

Q3. What is the theme of the poem?

Ans. The poem denotes simplicity that prevails in the daily life of middle-class families. Similarly, the narrator's family is not wealthy however they are content with what they have and that is enough to lead a peaceful and happy life together.