Sujata Bhatt’s poem "A Different History" explores the intricate interplay between culture, language, and colonization, delving into themes of reverence, identity, and historical trauma. Through evocative imagery, Bhatt portrays India as a land where the sacred and the everyday coexist, emphasizing the deep respect for nature, knowledge, and spirituality. The poem juxtaposes this sanctity with the violent legacy of colonialism, reflecting on the paradox of embracing a foreign language born out of oppression. Bhatt’s work prompts readers to question how languages, once tools of conquest, can transform into vessels of belonging and love for future generations, weaving together themes of survival, adaptation, and cultural hybridity.
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A Different History Poem Text
Great Pan is not dead;
he simply emigrated
to India.
Here, the gods roam freely,
disguised as snakes or monkeys;
every tree is sacred
and it is a sin
to be rude to a book.
It is a sin to shove a book aside
with your foot,
a sin to slam books down
hard on a table,
a sin to toss one carelessly
across a room.
You must learn how to turn the pages gently
without disturbing Sarasvati,
without offending the tree
from whose wood the paper was made.
Which language
has not been the oppressor’s tongue?
Which language
truly meant to murder someone?
And how does it happen
that after the torture,
after the soul has been cropped
with the long scythe swooping out
of the conqueror’s face –
the unborn grandchildren
grow to love that strange language.
Summary of A Different History
In the poem "A Different History" by Sujata Bhatt, the speaker begins by stating that the Greek god Pan, associated with nature and wildness, is not dead, but instead has simply moved to India. Here, in India, the gods continue to exist freely, often taking the form of snakes or monkeys. In this land, every tree is revered as sacred, and it is considered a sin to show any disrespect towards a book. Disrespecting a book includes actions such as shoving it aside with one's foot, slamming it down hard on a table, or tossing it carelessly across a room. Instead, one must learn to handle books with great care, turning their pages gently, so as not to disturb Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, or offend the tree from which the paper of the book was made. The poem then shifts focus to language, asking which language has not been used by oppressors as a tool of domination. It further questions which language has not been meant to destroy someone. The poet reflects on how, after the painful history of colonization, after the soul has been scarred by the conqueror’s violent forces, future generations—despite the oppression—grow to embrace and love the very language that was once imposed upon them.Line-by-Line Explanation of A Different History by Sujata Bhatt
Line 1-3:
Great Pan is not dead;
he simply emigrated to India.
- Explanation: Bhatt begins with an allusion to Pan, the Greek god of nature, fertility, and the wild. She suggests that although Pan is no longer worshiped in the West, his spirit has found a home in India, where the reverence for nature remains deeply ingrained. This sets the stage for a comparison between Western and Indian cultural attitudes toward spirituality and the natural world.
Line 4-5:
Here, the gods roam freely,
disguised as snakes or monkeys;
- Explanation: The poet emphasizes the omnipresence of gods in Indian culture, where deities are believed to manifest in various forms, including snakes and monkeys. Snakes often symbolize rebirth and fertility, with references like Vasuki (the serpent around Lord Shiva's neck) or Sheshnag (Lord Vishnu's cosmic serpent). Monkeys are associated with Hanuman, the monkey god known for his devotion, courage, and wisdom.
Line 6:
every tree is sacred
- Explanation: Trees hold profound significance in Indian traditions, often being viewed as sacred. For example, the Peepal tree is linked to Lord Vishnu, and the Bodhi tree symbolizes the place of enlightenment for Buddha. This reverence reflects India's ecological spirituality.
Line 7-12:
and it is a sin
to be rude to a book.
It is a sin to shove a book aside
with your foot,
a sin to slam books down
hard on a table,
- Explanation: The poet highlights the deep respect for books in Indian culture. Books are seen as embodiments of knowledge and treated with reverence. Disrespecting a book, such as tossing or slamming it, is considered a sin because it indirectly insults Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, learning, and wisdom.
Line 13-15:
a sin to toss one carelessly
across a room.
You must learn how to turn the pages gently
- Explanation: This reinforces the idea that books are sacred. The poet calls for a gentle and respectful approach when handling books, symbolizing an attitude of reverence toward learning and wisdom.
Line 16-17:
without disturbing Sarasvati,
without offending the tree
- Explanation: Bhatt explicitly mentions Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge. She is associated with wisdom, music, art, and learning. Saraswati is part of the Tridevi, alongside Lakshmi and Parvati. By connecting books to Saraswati and the trees from which paper is made, Bhatt ties the act of learning to both spiritual and ecological respect.
Line 18-19:
from whose wood the paper was made.
- Explanation: This line connects the spiritual reverence for books to the physical source of their creation, emphasizing the respect owed to nature for providing the materials that sustain knowledge.
Line 20-21:
Which language
has not been the oppressor’s tongue?
- Explanation: Bhatt shifts to the theme of colonization and linguistic imperialism, asking a provocative question about how dominant powers have historically used language to suppress native cultures and identities.
Line 22-23:
Which language
truly meant to murder someone?
- Explanation: This rhetorical question critiques the violent history of language as a tool of control and erasure, used by colonizers to impose their will on subjugated populations.
Line 24-27:
And how does it happen
that after the torture,
after the soul has been cropped
with the long scythe swooping out
- Explanation: Bhatt uses the metaphor of a scythe to describe the cultural and emotional trauma inflicted by colonizers. The "soul being cropped" symbolizes the erasure of native identities, traditions, and languages under colonial rule.
Line 28-30:
of the conqueror’s face –
the unborn grandchildren
grow to love that strange language.
- Explanation: In a poignant conclusion, Bhatt reflects on the paradox of cultural assimilation. Despite the oppression and trauma associated with colonial languages, future generations often embrace these languages as their own, integrating them into their identities. This highlights the complex legacy of colonialism.
Gods Mentioned in the Poem:
- Pan: The Greek god of nature, fertility, and the wild, representing untamed landscapes and rustic spirituality.
- Saraswati: The Hindu goddess of knowledge, wisdom, music, art, and learning. She is part of the Tridevi, which includes Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) and Parvati (goddess of power).
- Hanuman: The monkey god known for his devotion, strength, and wisdom, symbolizing courage and loyalty.
- Snakes: Representing Vasuki (the serpent around Lord Shiva's neck) and Sheshnag (Lord Vishnu's cosmic serpent), snakes symbolize eternity, power, and divine protection.
Major Themes in A Different History by Sujata Bhatt
1. Reverence for Nature and Spirituality
The poem emphasizes the deep reverence for nature in India, where gods are believed to manifest in the natural world. Deities like Pan (Greek god of nature) are said to have "emigrated" to India, where nature and the environment are seen as sacred. The imagery of gods roaming as snakes or monkeys and trees being sacred reflects the integral connection between spirituality and nature in Indian culture.
- Sacredness of Trees: The reverence for trees is central to the poem. Trees in India are often sacred, such as the Peepal tree (linked to Lord Vishnu) or the Bodhi tree (associated with the Buddha's enlightenment). This theme underscores the ecological spirituality of Indian traditions.
- Connection to Saraswati: The mention of Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, art, and wisdom, suggests that learning and nature are intertwined in a spiritual context. The respectful handling of books, which embody knowledge, mirrors the cultural reverence for both knowledge and nature.
2. Respect for Knowledge and Learning
Bhatt highlights the sacredness of books and knowledge in Indian culture, where it is considered a sin to disrespect books. The act of gently turning the pages without disturbing Saraswati reflects the reverence for learning in India. The handling of books as sacred objects is tied to the idea that knowledge is divine and deserving of utmost respect.
- Respect for Books: The poem emphasizes that treating books carelessly is akin to disrespecting sacred knowledge. The careful handling of books represents a respect for learning, wisdom, and the pursuit of knowledge, which are highly valued in many cultures, especially in India.
- Symbolism of Saraswati: Saraswati's presence in the poem connects books and knowledge with the divine. As the goddess of wisdom, music, and arts, Saraswati embodies the reverence for intellectual and artistic pursuits in Indian spirituality.
3. Colonialism and Language as a Tool of Oppression
The poem delves into the painful legacy of colonization, using language as a central metaphor. Bhatt questions which language has not been used as the "oppressor's tongue" and which language was not meant to "murder" someone, suggesting the violent history of linguistic imperialism. This theme critiques the use of language as a tool for subjugation and cultural erasure by colonial powers.
- Oppression through Language: The poem critiques the role of language in colonial domination, where the languages of the oppressors were forced upon the colonized. Language becomes a symbol of the violent history of colonialism, stripping people of their native identities.
- Cultural Loss and Assimilation: The poem reflects on the paradox of cultural assimilation, where despite the trauma of colonization, future generations end up adopting and even embracing the colonizer's language. This transformation speaks to the resilience and adaptability of culture, but also to the lasting impact of colonialism on cultural identity.
4. Paradox of Post-Colonial Identity
Bhatt explores the complex relationship between colonization and cultural identity. The final lines highlight the paradox of future generations growing to love the very language that was used to oppress their ancestors. Despite the violence and trauma associated with colonial languages, these languages become an integral part of the identities of the colonized.
- Cultural Reconciliation: The poem hints at the unintended consequence of colonialism: the adoption and normalization of the colonizer's language by subsequent generations. This reflects a deep, complex reconciliation with the colonial legacy, where the colonized culture begins to reclaim and adapt the tools of their oppression.
- Generational Memory: The poem highlights how the trauma of the past continues to affect future generations. Despite the oppression, the poem also conveys how new generations may come to internalize the language of their oppressors, even as they retain their love for it, reflecting the complexity of post-colonial identity.
5. The Continuity of Colonial Influence
The poem suggests that the influence of colonialism is ongoing, as seen in the enduring presence of the oppressor's language. Despite the passage of time and the seeming death of the colonial system, the language continues to dominate and shape the cultural landscape, symbolizing the lasting effects of imperialism on identity and society.
- Enduring Legacy: The poet suggests that colonialism's influence is not merely historical, but continues to shape the cultural and linguistic landscape. The "strange language" of the colonizers becomes a new medium through which future generations navigate their identities.
- Adoption of Oppressor’s Language: The idea that future generations "grow to love" the language of the oppressor suggests the inescapable nature of colonial influence. Language, as a tool of imperialism, is absorbed and reshaped by the colonized, reflecting the deep and lasting impact of colonial domination.
Critical Analysis of A Different History
"A Different History" by Sujata Bhatt is a thought-provoking poem that delves into themes of cultural identity, language, and the impact of colonization. The poem presents a contrasting view of religious and cultural practices, particularly through the figure of Pan and the gods in India. It emphasizes the sacredness of nature, as well as the reverence for books and language.Bhatt's poem challenges the notion of a dominant language by questioning the history of oppression and violence associated with certain languages. It explores the complexities of language and its relationship to power, highlighting the impact it can have on individual and collective identities.
The poem's structure, with its two distinct stanzas, highlights the different aspects of the subject matter. The first stanza explores the interplay between religion, nature, and human behavior, showcasing the interconnectedness of these elements. The second stanza focuses on the historical and sociopolitical implications of language, raising important questions about the influence and consequences of linguistic dominance.
Bhatt's use of vivid imagery and metaphors adds depth to the poem, enabling readers to engage with the ideas on multiple levels. The juxtaposition of Pan's migration and the sacredness of language challenges preconceived notions and invites readers to reflect on their own cultural heritage and the power dynamics inherent in language.
"A Different History" prompts critical reflection on the complexities of cultural and linguistic identity, urging readers to consider the legacy of colonization and the evolving nature of language in shaping our understanding of the world.
Language in A Different History
• Quite literal language but a few memorable figurative aspects• Personification: ‘offending the tree’, ‘rude to a book’
• Simile: ‘as snakes or monkeys’
• Repetition:
• 1st Stanza: ‘a sin’ repeated four times
• 1st Stanza: ‘without’ repeated twice
• 2nd Stanza: ‘Which language’
• Juxtaposition: ‘love that strange language’
Structure of A Different History
• No evident rhyme scheme• Indentation: Line 3/10/12/14
• Enjambment: Line 9+10/11+12/13+14/15+16
Sound devices in A Different History
• No rhymes• Sibilance: ‘a sin to slam’
• Power of 3: ‘shove’, ‘slam’, ‘toss’
• Alliteration: ‘whose woods’
Attitudes/feelings in A Different History
First stanza
• Love and Respect for nature: ‘turn the pages gently’, ‘without offending the tree’• Reverence for religion: ‘Great Pan’ (Greek God of Nature), ‘without disturbing Sarasvati’ (Hindu Goddess of the Arts), ‘a sin’ (word from Christianity)
• Almost like a sensei teaching a grasshopper to be calm: ‘sacred’, ‘gently’, ‘disturbing’, ‘offending’
• Sense of freedom too: ‘roam freely
Second stanza: completely different
• There is an air of darkness: ‘murder’, ‘torture’, ‘scythe’• It is also very literal in the sense that she (an Indian) uses the language of those (The British) that conquered and killed her own ancestors
• A sense of hypocrisy as she is using the language in the poem
• Leaves a dirty taste in the mouth
Linking poems
• ‘Horses’, ‘Pike’, ‘Hunting Snake’ and ‘Thought Fox’: have mention of an animal• ‘Pied Beauty’ and ‘Summer Farm’: appreciation of nature and God
• ‘The Planners’ and ‘The City Planners’: how man can destroy things, even themselves
• ‘A Birthday’: Both have a strange twist in there 2nd stanza
• ‘The Woodspurge’: Have a link between religion
• ‘Where I Come From’: Have a link between the Man and Nature aspect
Sujata Bhatt
• Many of her poems contain love and violence (interesting combination)• Known for exploring racism and cultures around the world in her poems
• Considered ‘one of the finest poets alive
For more read: Sujata Bhatt: A Multicultural Poet's Journey
