An Old Woman by Arun Kolatkar

An old woman grabs
hold of your sleeve
and tags along.

She wants a fifty paise coin.
She says she will take you
to the horseshoe shrine.

You’ve seen it already.
She hobbles along anyway
and tightens her grip on your shirt

She won’t let you go.
You know how old women are.
They stick to you like a burr.

You turn around and face her
with an air of finality.
You want to end the farce.

When you hear her say,
‘What else can an old woman do
on hills as wretched as these?’

You look right at the sky.
Clear through the bullet holes
she has for her eyes.

And as you look on,
the cracks that begin around her eyes
spread beyond her skin.

And the hills crack.
And the temples crack.
And the sky falls

With a plate-glass clatter
Around the shatterproof crone
who stands alone

And you are reduced
to so much small change
in her hand.

About the Poet

Arun Kolatkar (1932–2004) was a prominent Indian poet known for his bilingual work in both Marathi and English. His poetry often explored urban and rural life, focusing on themes of social injustice, human suffering, and the spiritual decay of modern civilization. His most celebrated work, Jejuri, won the Commonwealth Poetry Prize in 1977 and brought him international recognition. Kolatkar’s poetry is marked by its sharp imagery, minimalistic style, and deep concern for the marginalized sections of society.

Background of the Poem

An Old Woman is one of Arun Kolatkar’s most famous poems, extracted from his collection Jejuri. The poem reflects the stark reality of poverty and suffering in India, symbolized by an old beggar woman who clings to a passerby, insisting he give her money. Kolatkar critiques the indifference of society toward the underprivileged while subtly exploring existential and philosophical questions.

Summary of the Poem

The poem describes a persistent old woman who clings to a tourist at a temple, asking for money. Initially, the man finds her irritating and tries to ignore her, but her relentless insistence forces him to truly see her. As he looks into her eyes, he sees the hardship, suffering, and decay of not just her life but of the larger human condition. The moment becomes transformative, forcing him to confront his own perceptions of poverty and mortality. The woman is not just a beggar but a symbol of endurance, suffering, and the neglected sections of society.

Main Themes

1. Poverty and Marginalization – The old woman represents the suffering of the poor and their neglect by society.
2. Social Indifference – The poem critiques the apathy of privileged individuals toward the underprivileged.
3. Aging and Decay – The woman’s physical deterioration symbolizes the inevitable decay of life.
4. Existential Realization – The moment of recognition forces the tourist to confront deeper truths about life, suffering, and human existence.
5. Contrast Between Appearance and Reality – The tourist initially sees the woman as an annoyance but later understands her deeper significance.

Poetic Devices Used in the Poem

1. Imagery – Vivid descriptions of the old woman’s physical state evoke a strong emotional response.
2. Symbolism – The old woman symbolizes not only poverty but also endurance and the neglected parts of society.
3. Contrast – The perspective shift from irritation to realization highlights the deep thematic concerns of the poem.
4. Enjambment – The continuous flow of lines mirrors the persistence of the woman and the unending nature of suffering.
5. Irony – The speaker initially dismisses the woman, but she ultimately forces him into a moment of profound reflection.

Essay Questions for Further Exploration

1. How does An Old Woman reflect the theme of social injustice and neglect?
2. Analyze the role of imagery in the poem. How does Kolatkar use descriptive language to create an emotional impact?
3. Discuss the transformation of the tourist’s perspective throughout the poem.
4. How does the poem use the figure of the old woman to critique modern society?
5. Compare An Old Woman with another poem that deals with themes of poverty and suffering.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. Who wrote An Old Woman? a) Nissim Ezekiel
   b) Arun Kolatkar
   c) Kamala Das
   d) A.K. Ramanujan
   Answer: b) Arun Kolatkar
2. Where does the poem An Old Woman take place? a) A marketplace
   b) A bus stop
   c) A temple
   d) A railway station
   Answer: c) A temple
3. What is the old woman asking for in the poem? a) Food
   b) Money
   c) Shelter
   d) Medicine
   Answer: b) Money
4. How does the tourist initially react to the old woman? a) He is kind and offers help
   b) He finds her amusing
   c) He is irritated and dismissive
   d) He is immediately empathetic
   Answer: c) He is irritated and dismissive
5. What realization does the tourist have at the end of the poem? a) That the woman is an important historical figure
   b) That poverty and suffering are universal and unavoidable
   c) That he should donate more money to charity
   d) That he should leave the temple immediately
   Answer: b) That poverty and suffering are universal and unavoidable
6. What literary device is most prominent in the poem? a) Metaphor
   b) Alliteration
   c) Satire
   d) Imagery
   Answer: d) Imagery
7. Which theme is NOT present in the poem? a) Aging and decay
   b) Social apathy
   c) Romantic love
   d) Existential realization
   Answer: c) Romantic love
8. What impact does the old woman have on the tourist? a) She changes his perspective on life and suffering
   b) She convinces him to donate money
   c) She frightens him away from the temple
   d) She tells him a historical story
   Answer: a) She changes his perspective on life and suffering