Background, Casually by Nissim Ezekiel
The poem titled "Background, Casually" serves as a confessional and autobiographical piece. Within its verses, the poet bears witness to his inherent Indianness and unwavering dedication to India. The verses serve as a testimony to both the poet's achievements and setbacks. The poem becomes a vessel for the poet to articulate his deep affection for the land, emphasizing his firm connection to the Indian diaspora. Extensively delving into his past, the poet narrates his background, underscoring his allegiance to both country and chosen city. The poem vividly captures the essence of Bombay, portraying it with authenticity and a wealth of emotions. Furthermore, the poem becomes a poignant illustration of cultural and social estrangement, as the poet grapples with a sense of alienation among both Muslims and Hindus.
The poet humorously labels himself as a "poet, rascal, and clown," reflecting on his childhood characterized by fear and physical frailty. As a timid child, he struggled to sleep and eat, remaining lean and thin. Unlike other healthy children, he couldn't engage in physical activities and humorously laments his inability to fly kites or spin a top. Due to financial constraints, he had to borrow playthings from other boys since he couldn't afford his own.
His poverty denied him the opportunity to partake in games, and as a Jew in a Roman Catholic school, he faced discrimination. Christian boys, viewing Jews as Christ betrayers, subjected him to abuse. Despite being an innocent figure among hostile peers, he persevered with his studies, focusing on lessons. The cruelty of his classmates, however, persisted, with the irony lying in the fact that this Jewish boy excelled in learning scriptures, including both the Old and New Testaments. The momentary joy of winning a prize for scriptural knowledge was short-lived, as a muscular Muslim boy promptly assaulted and beat the poet in the next instant.
The poet characterizes Hindus as formidable bullies, noting their physical strength despite being undernourished. Despite their physical prowess, he holds a condescending view towards them, perceiving their propositions as consistently misguided and deeming them inactive and lethargic individuals. Recounting a noisy altercation, he recalls having to defend himself with a knife against their aggression.
Reflecting on his background, the poet shares that societal expectations pegged him as a potential Rabbi. However, upon introspection, he acknowledges his own flaws and endeavors to improve by seeking guidance from Hindu yogis and Jewish priests. Despite these efforts, he remains unchanged, recognizing a lack of the dedication required for priesthood and an absence of religious fervor. As time progresses, he completes his school days, and at the age of twenty-two, a family friend assists in sending him to England for further studies, covering his fare.
In England, the poet's narrative unfolds with memorable and oft-quoted descriptions. He recounts how philosophy, poverty, and poetry became his constant companions in a basement room in London. Despite his humble surroundings, he finds the city to be welcoming and hospitable. In this new environment, he observes the external world with keen interest and curiosity, a theme he later incorporates into several of his poems, often using the imagery of the basement room.
Ezekiel endured two challenging and desolate years in London, isolating himself from the vibrant life surrounding him. Recognizing his perceived failure, he decided to return to India. Lacking the financial means for the journey, he secured passage by working as a menial servant on a cargo ship transporting French guns and mortars to India. Despite the humble nature of his tasks, such as scrubbing the ship, he found contentment in his work. After two years, he returned to India, marked by a sense of failure.
Although he had studied some philosophy, he found it impractical in real life, contributing more to his confusion than clarity. Adjusting to his circumstances became a significant challenge, and he grappled with finding his place and sense of belonging. Despite these difficulties, Ezekiel maintained a strong attachment to India, the country he had chosen, and the city of Bombay, his residence. In time, he married, a decision he regarded as his worst folly. He underwent frequent changes in jobs and professions, navigating the uncertainties that life presented.
In constructing a more comprehensive depiction of his background, Ezekiel delves further into his childhood experiences and ancestral roots. He reveals that his forebears were engaged in pressing oil from seeds as a means of livelihood. His vivid memories include observing a bullock, tirelessly driving the machine that extracted oil from seeds during his childhood. Recollections extend to the Major of the British army, who recounted unsettling stories of the Boer war in Africa. These narratives deeply affected the young Nissim, haunting his dreams with visions of a fierce man binding his hands and feet. Although these were childhood nightmares, he contrasts them with his current dreams as a poet, now centered solely on words. However, he acknowledges the potential deception of words, realizing that they can be misleading. His dedication to poetry reaches a point where he loses touch with reality, missing out on worldly success and labeling himself a failure in the tangible world.
Despite these setbacks, he expresses a desire for a second chance, vowing not to repeat the same mistakes. Despite disappointments and bitterness, he remains committed to gaining a clearer vision and a deeper understanding of life's complexities. While some may perceive him as foolish, he believes that true wisdom lies in making the most of one's opportunities. Consequently, he utilizes both internal and external experiences to articulate his emotions, passions, frustrations, failures, and the challenges that real life presents. The poem encapsulates the diverse array of experiences that have shaped the poet's life.
Nissim's dedication to his chosen country and city mirrors his commitment to his profession. Despite the intense heat that sears his eyes and the challenging living conditions, he endures and surprises his foreign friends who visit or correspond with him. While these friends may emphasize the difficulties, Nissim perceives himself as an integral part of the country, gracefully accepting all the challenges. He takes pride in his country and its environment, having made India his home with a firm resolve to continue residing in his chosen city. Through his poems, he faithfully recounts the life he has encountered in the city of Bombay, offering a genuine portrayal of his experiences and a deep connection to the place he now calls home.
Critical Appreciation of Poem:
Background, Casually is among the biographical poems penned by Ezekiel, featured in the sixth volume of his poems titled "Hymns in Darkness," published in 1976. Within this poetic piece, the author offers a retrospective account of his life experiences, starting from his boyhood and extending beyond. The poem serves as a testament to Ezekiel's inherent Indianness and his unwavering commitment to India. Throughout its verses, the poet reflects on both his successes and failures, providing an outlet for his deep affection for the earth. He explicitly asserts his Indianness, emphasizing that his roots are firmly intertwined with the Indian diaspora.The poet's journey from childhood to adulthood unfolds against a backdrop of religious and communal discrimination. As a Jew in a non-Jewish school, he faced unkindness from Christian boys who attributed the death of Christ to him, revealing a lack of Christian charity. Similarly, Muslim and Hindu boys were inconsiderate, with the poet ironically highlighting the prevalence of communal discrimination in India.
Despite the bullying from Hindu boys, the poet looked down upon them, criticizing their misguided propositions and perceiving them as dull and passive. An altercation necessitated his use of a knife for self-defense, illustrating the harsh realities of his school life. Friday night prayers at home highlighted his perceived wickedness, and exposure to the teachings of Hindu yogis and Jewish priests failed to instill religious zeal in him.
Upon spending two desolate years in London, the poet experienced a profound sense of failure and hardship. His study of philosophy proved futile in practical life, contributing to his exasperation. Returning to India, he found himself in utter confusion, grappling with the challenge of adjusting to his circumstances. Despite these difficulties, the poet expressed a deep identification with India, dreaming only of words that, in his belief, could not betray.
Continuing to compose poems, the poet became fully dedicated to his chosen profession of poetry. Unconcerned about others labeling him a fool, he embraced his inner tensions, frustrations, failures, and difficulties, utilizing them for creative expression. Proud of the Indian environment, he remained committed to both his craft and the chosen city of Bombay, exemplifying his unwavering dedication to poetry and India.
The poem offers a detailed biographical account, delving into various facets of the poet's past. Childhood memories resurface as he reflects on being a timid child easily frightened. Financial constraints prevented him from owning toys, and he struggled to learn common childhood activities like flying a kite or making a top spin.
Moving into his school days, the poet recalls attending a Roman Catholic school where he diligently memorized lessons but endured callous treatment from classmates. Accusations from Christians about his association with the race responsible for Christ's Crucifixion added to his hardships. Despite winning a prize for learning the Old and New Testaments, joy was short-lived, as he faced physical aggression from a Muslim peer.
Lonely moments in London for two years are remembered, where he encountered a woman who heightened his awareness of manhood. Undertaking menial jobs on a cargo ship to afford passage to India marked a challenging period. Memories of a Major in the British army linger, influencing the poet's shift from a carefree and spontaneous style of poetry to a more worldly and considered approach, driven by a desire to avoid losing control over his writing.
The poet's allegiance to both his chosen country and city matches his dedication to his profession. Despite the intense heat that sears his eyes and the challenging living conditions, he perseveres, surprising his foreign friends who visit or correspond with him. While these friends may emphasize the difficulties, the poet views them as integral parts of the country, accepting them with grace. He takes pride in his country and its environment, consciously deciding to make India his home.
The poet's artistic expression serves as a powerful tool for capturing the essence of Bombay. Within the lines of his poems, he not only outlines the challenges faced by the city but also delves into its emotional depth. Each verse becomes a nuanced exploration of the urban tapestry, revealing the intricate interplay of human emotions, the city's pulse, and the unique character of Bombay. Through his poetic lens, the poet unravels the layers of this dynamic city, offering readers a vivid and evocative portrayal of Bombay's multifaceted reality.
