"The Professor" by Nissim Ezekiel

                                                         "The Professor" by Nissim Ezekiel

Introduction to the Poet:

Nissim Ezekiel is called as the “Father of post-independence Indian verse in English.” He wrote several Poetry Collections, plays, critical articles and worked as a broadcaster on Indian radio. Ezekiel translated poems of Jawaharlal Nehru from Marathi.

Introduction to the Poem:

“Remember me? I am Professor Sheth.”

The poem “The Professor” is a satire on typical Professors of India. It is a Dramatic Monologue. It is written in the form of a conversation between a retired professor namely Professor Sheth and his former student. The student fails to recognize him, and the poem begins with the Professor describing his life and old age.

Professor’s family and health:

“I am retired, though my health is good. My wife died some years back.”

            The speaker Professor Sheth once taught Geography. His wife died some years back and all his children are well-settled. He has five children. He also boasts that two of his sons own a car. He has eleven grandchildren.

First Son	Sales Manager
Second Son	Bank Manager
Third Son	Doing well, but not so well (Black sheep of the family)
Two Daughters: Sarala, Tarala	Married

 

Thoughts and Opinions:

“We have to change with times.”

            The Professor starts to express his opinions. Initially, he talks about Family planning stating that he is not against the thought. He talks about the changing times and the importance of change. He talks about how the whole world is changing along with India. He then talks about the change in values. Old values are being replaced by new values.

Effects of Old Age:

“This year I am sixty-nine”

            The Professor says that he hardly goes out because of his old age. He says proudly that he is healthy because of the good habits that he has cultivated since his youth. He is self-centred as he does not let his student speak.

Conclusion:

“Visit my humble residence also.”

            The poem thus talks about the typical Indian urban middle-class mentality. The Professor, here, has narrow, stereotyped thinking. His views are confined to his family, children, and material achievements. Thus, Ezekiel has intertwined satire, irony, humor and Indianized English to mock the typical Indian mentality.