GOODBYE PARTY TO MS. PUSHPA T.S - Poem - by Nissim Ezekiel - Notes - SUMMARY

GOODBYE PARTY TO MS. PUSHPA T.S  

                                                                                                      -- Nissim Ezekiel

Nissim Ezekiel’s poem “Goodbye Party to Ms. Pushpa T.S” is a satire on the use of Indianisms in English and how they distort the meaning and create a humorous effect. Indians are also known for mixing up the formal and informal spheres. 

Addressing a colleague as ‘dear sister, is typically Indian.  Reference to Ms. Pushpa’s ‘high family’, her father’s profession and native place also create a humorous effect. 

           Indians have a habit of using Present Progressive Tense in stead of Simple Present. Expressions such as ‘knowing’, ‘remembering’ and ‘feeling’ and ‘wishing’ etc. are repeatedly used in the poem. Then, there is refernce to Ms. Pushpa’s ‘sweetness’, her ‘smiling without reason’, her ‘popularity with men’, and ‘never saying no to anything’ suggest just the opposite of the intended meaning. 

             There are several other expressions such as ‘family members’, ‘cooking nicely’, and ‘summing up’ show the use of Indian English.  Thus the writer ridicules the typical use of Indian English in the poem.

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Noojilla Srinivas

Lecturer in English

Govt. Degree College - Alamuru

M: 7981862200

email: noojillasrinivas@gmail.com