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 bilingual Indian poet who wrote in both English and Marathi. His poetry is known for its sharp imagery, ironic tone, and deep exploration of social and existential themes. His most celebrated works include Jejuri (1976), which won the Commonwealth Poetry Prize, and Kala Ghoda Poems (2004). Kolatkar’s poetry captures the everyday life of India with a keen eye for detail and an unflinching portrayal of the human condition. His works often reflect themes of decay, alienation, and spiritual quest.
Background of the Poem
“An Old Woman” is a poignant poem by Arun Kolatkar that reflects on the harsh realities of poverty, age, and human indifference. The poem was published in Jejuri, a collection based on the poet’s visit to the pilgrimage town of Jejuri in Maharashtra. The poem captures a brief but intense encounter between a tourist and an old beggar woman, serving as a critique of social apathy and the degradation of human dignity.
Summary of the Poem
The poem depicts a persistent old woman who clings to a tourist, begging for money in return for showing him around the shrines of Jejuri. Initially, the tourist feels irritation at her persistence, but as he looks closer, he is struck by the deep lines on her face, which seem to hold an entire history of suffering and resilience. The realization dawns upon him that she symbolizes the relentless passage of time, the decay of human life, and the neglect faced by the marginalized. The encounter transforms the tourist’s perspective, making him confront an uncomfortable truth about human suffering and his own indifference.
Main Themes
- Poverty and Marginalization – The poem highlights the plight of the poor, particularly elderly women who are often reduced to begging for survival.
- Human Indifference – The tourist’s initial reaction reflects society’s apathy toward the suffering of the marginalized.
- Decay and Mortality – The old woman’s face becomes a metaphor for the inescapable passage of time and the inevitable decline of the human body.
- Epiphany and Transformation – The tourist undergoes a moment of realization, moving from irritation to profound awareness.
- Critique of Pilgrimage and Religion – The setting of the poem subtly critiques the commercialization of pilgrimage sites and how they fail to address the poverty surrounding them.
Poetic Devices Used in the Poem
- Imagery – Vivid descriptions of the old woman’s face create a strong visual impact.
- Symbolism – The old woman symbolizes the ignored and neglected sections of society.
- Irony – The contrast between the sacred pilgrimage site and the desperate state of the old woman highlights societal contradictions.
- Enjambment – The continuous flow of lines mirrors the persistence of the old woman and the relentless nature of time.
- Contrast – The difference between the tourist’s initial indifference and his eventual realization enhances the poem’s emotional impact.
Essay Questions for Further Exploration
- How does Arun Kolatkar use imagery and symbolism in “An Old Woman” to highlight themes of poverty and decay?
- Discuss the transformation of the tourist’s perspective in the poem. What does this reveal about human perception?
- Analyze the significance of the poem’s setting in a pilgrimage town. How does it contribute to the poem’s message?
- What role does irony play in “An Old Woman”?
- How does the poem reflect the socio-economic realities of India?
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Where is the poem “An Old Woman” set? a) A bustling marketplace
b) A railway station
c) A pilgrimage town
d) A village
Answer: c) A pilgrimage town - What does the old woman offer to do in exchange for money? a) Sing a song
b) Show the tourist around the shrines
c) Sell him flowers
d) Read his fortune
Answer: b) Show the tourist around the shrines - What is the tourist’s initial reaction to the old woman? a) Sympathy
b) Anger
c) Annoyance
d) Fear
Answer: c) Annoyance - What realization does the tourist have by the end of the poem? a) The importance of religion
b) The transient nature of life and the suffering of marginalized people
c) The beauty of the shrines
d) The power of faith
Answer: b) The transient nature of life and the suffering of marginalized people - What literary device is predominantly used to describe the old woman’s face? a) Hyperbole
b) Metaphor
c) Alliteration
d) Personification
Answer: b) Metaphor - What does the old woman’s presence symbolize? a) Religious devotion
b) The persistence of tradition
c) The suffering and neglect of the poor
d) The wisdom of old age
Answer: c) The suffering and neglect of the poor - Which poetic technique is used to maintain the poem’s fluidity? a) Rhyme scheme
b) Enjambment
c) Caesura
d) Refrain
Answer: b) Enjambment - How does the poem critique the commercialization of pilgrimage sites? a) By showing the grandeur of temples
b) By highlighting the poverty surrounding religious places
c) By describing the rituals in detail
d) By praising the religious atmosphere
Answer: b) By highlighting the poverty surrounding religious places