Introduction of the Poem: An early poem, My Cat appeared in Ezekiel’s first anthology, Sixty Poems (1953). Here the poet describes an unusual cat he had as a pet when, during his student days in England (1948-52), he lived in a basement room in London. Critical Summary: Lines 1-4: Ezekiel’s pet cat in his … Read more
Two Nights of Love Introduction of the Poem: Written in free verse, Two Nights of Love appeared in Ezekiel’s second anthology, Sixty Poems (1953). Here we have curious combination of the sensuous and the spiritual, of the secular and the religious of the earthly and the heavenly. It is an interesting and intriguing poem of … Read more
Introduction of the Poem: In this monologue from Ezekiel’s Collected Poems (1989), a railway clerk expresses his discontent and unhappiness at the kind of life he has to lead and the difficulties and problems he faces. Even though he carries out the orders of his superiors, he is criticized when anything goes wrong. It is … Read more
Introduction of the Poem: Case Study, which appeared in The Unfinished Man, is the portrait of a man who could not make up his mind about his career or mission in life; he is, indeed, the unfinished man— weak – willed, wavering and irresolute. Believed to be the poet himself in disguise, he arouses considerable … Read more
Introduction of the Poem: The poem appeared in The Unfinished Man (1965). It deals with the ecstasies of marriage in the beginning and the disillusionment that sets in later, Ezekiel, however, does not go into the causes of disillusionment in married life. Critical Summary Lines 1-4: When a man and a woman are in … Read more
Introduction of the Poem: The Visitor appears in The Exact Name (1965). The poem is based on a common Indian superstition that, if we hear a crow cawing on the roof or a wall in our house in the morning, it is a sign that a visitor would arrive during the day and that we … Read more
Introduction of the Poem: Anthologised in Hymns in Darkness (1976), Poem of the Separation is a love – poem. It is predominantly touching and poignant, with a touch of humour and irony in the last few lines. Critical Summary: The poet addresses a woman he used to love but who has now deserted him, though … Read more
Introduction of the Poem: “Background, Casually,” an autobiographical poem, was included in Hymns in Darkness (1976). Following the tradition of confessional poetry, such as Robert Lowell’s Life Studies, Ezekiel here refers to himself as “a mugging Jew among the wolves” when he was a student at a Roman Catholic school. He was shabbily and callously … Read more
Shelley believed in a Soul of the Universe, a Spirit in which all things live and move and have their being which, as one feels in the Prometheus, is unable, inconceivable even to man, for “the deep truth is imageless.” His most passionate desire was not, as was Browning’s, for an increased and ennobled individuality, … Read more
Shelley does not commit himself to definite pantheism anywhere. But there are passages which seem to come near to pantheism. He often conceives of a Spirit diffused through, and permeating the universe — a Spirit that seems also to impel human thoughts. Shelley pays homage to such a Spirit in his Hymn to Intellectual Beauty. … Read more