8. For Elkana - Poetry - Class 11 - Woven Words

BhashaLab
Jun 30
4 min read

Updated: Jul 1

Poet: Nissim Ezekiel

Textbook: Woven Words

Genre: Poem (Domestic / Humorous / Reflective Poetry)

Summary

Nissim Ezekiel’s poem For Elkana offers a charming and humorous glimpse into a typical family interaction. On a warm April evening, the poet and his wife sit in the garden, enjoying the breeze. The calm atmosphere sets the stage for everyday family life. The wife points out a broken windowpane and suggests some chores that the poet, like every husband, fails to attend to. Instead of responding, he retreats into his thoughts. Meanwhile, their seven-year-old son boldly interrupts, demanding dinner with the firm line: “I want my dinner, now.” The parents share a moment of silent agreement—“Children Must be Disciplined”—but hesitate to act. The mother tries to delay him by five minutes, but the child’s logical response, “In five minutes I won’t be hungry any more,” surprises them. The poet is secretly impressed and emotionally moved by his son’s logic and resemblance to himself. The situation ends with shared laughter and a sense of family unity as they return indoors. The poem highlights everyday domestic tensions, the innocence of children, and the quiet love that holds families together.

Character Sketch

The Speaker (Father):

Reflective, humorous, and somewhat passive, the speaker avoids small conflicts with his wife and finds joy in observing his family. He admires his son’s honesty and identifies with him emotionally.

The Wife:

Practical, assertive, and affectionate, she manages the household with care. She gently criticizes her husband and shows firm but loving discipline toward their child.

The Son:

Innocent yet bold, logical, and expressive, the boy stands his ground with clarity. His straightforward demand and sharp reasoning highlight his emerging personality and charm.

Themes

Theme	Description
Domestic Life	The poem captures a slice of everyday family interaction with warmth and humor.
Communication and Silence	Much is communicated through gestures, silence, and shared understanding rather than direct speech.
Innocence and Logic of Children	The poem celebrates a child’s clarity of thought and fearless honesty.
Emotional Bonding	The poem shows how love and laughter unite a family in small moments.

✨ Literary Devices / Poetic Devices

Device	Example / Explanation
Understatement	“Wife and husband in unusual rapport” subtly hints at shared understanding.
Irony	The husband agrees silently with his wife’s opinions to avoid conflict.
Enjambment	Lines flow into one another, creating a natural, conversational tone.
Metaphor	“The more attractive view that opens up behind my eyes” suggests mental escape.
Humour	The playful exaggeration in the boy’s demand adds comic relief.
Capitalisation	“Children Must be Disciplined” mimics a rulebook or social norm.

Title Justification

The poem is titled For Elkana, most likely named after the poet’s son. The entire poem lovingly captures a moment of family life where the child Elkana displays wit and determination. The title personalizes the poem and frames it as a tribute or memory dedicated to the child. It suggests intimacy and affection, underlining that the seemingly ordinary events hold deep emotional value for the poet. The title connects directly to the heart of the poem—family bonds and parental pride.

One-Mark Questions

What do the speaker and his wife do at the start of the poem?
They bring their chairs outside on a warm April evening to enjoy the breeze and relax on the lawn. This sets a peaceful and familiar scene.
Why does the speaker choose not to argue with his wife?
He accepts that she is “always right” and avoids conflict by withdrawing mentally. Instead of replying, he retreats into his thoughts.
What does the son demand from his parents?
The seven-year-old son stands firmly and says, “I want my dinner, now.” He repeats his request, refusing to wait five minutes.
How do the parents react to the boy’s statement?They silently agree that “Children Must be Disciplined,” but hesitate to act. The wife tries to postpone dinner while the father is amused.
What causes the poem to end on a note of unity and warmth?
The mother's laughter at the boy’s logic brings the family together. They all rise and go inside, ending the moment with shared joy.

Three-Mark Questions

How is communication within the family portrayed in the poem?
The poem uses subtlety and silence to reflect how family members communicate. The wife criticizes gently, and the husband listens without arguing. They exchange glances to convey unspoken thoughts. Even their approach to disciplining the child is silent but mutually understood. This quiet interaction shows the depth of understanding in long relationships.
Why is the child’s logic so impressive to the poet?
The boy argues that if he waits for five minutes, he may no longer be hungry. This simple but sharp reasoning shows his clarity of thought. The poet sees himself in his son and admires the honesty. It surprises and delights the parents, especially the father. His logic breaks the usual pattern of discipline.
Explain the tone and mood of the poem.
The tone is light-hearted, warm, and humorous. The poet uses gentle sarcasm, subtle wit, and affectionate observations. The mood shifts from calm and quiet to amused and loving. The family’s laughter and togetherness create a sense of peace and contentment. The poem captures the beauty of small moments in daily life.

Value-Based Question

What does the poem teach us about family relationships and parenting?

The poem reminds us that love, patience, and humor are essential in family life. Parenting is not just about setting rules but also about listening and understanding children’s perspectives. The poet shows that affection and shared laughter build stronger bonds than strict discipline. Respecting each other's space and accepting small imperfections help maintain harmony. True connection lies in the little moments of togetherness.

End

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