CEILING IS LEAKING
SHUSHILANAL SHARIF
The roof is leaking
with ignorance
The roof is leaking
The roof is leaking
There is no one to strengthen the timber
In this darkness that surrounds me
I cannot climb up there
The wooden beam eaten
by termites is broken
The bolts holding the
beam have given away
The frame for the thatched tiles has holes in
it
I cannot climb up
there
The dry grass on the
roof is filled with filth
And is torn and ants are all over it
The mud is not able
to hold the water
The inside and the outside have become one
Oh mother! Listen to
me with mercy
Heavy rains have come
down on me
But I have faith in
Shishunaaladeesha
He will protect me.
DETAILED SUMMARY
"Ceiling is Leaking" by Shushilanal
Sharif is a poem that uses the imagery of a dilapidated, leaking roof to convey
feelings of helplessness, despair, and the need for faith in difficult times.
The poem vividly portrays a scene where the roof of a house is in severe
disrepair, symbolizing both physical and metaphorical challenges in life. The
speaker of the poem expresses their struggles, highlighting the overwhelming
sense of neglect and decay, but ultimately places hope in a higher power,
trusting that they will find protection and salvation.
The poem opens with the repeated line,
"The roof is leaking," setting the tone of the poem with an immediate
sense of urgency and discomfort. The repetition emphasizes the gravity of the
problem, showing that the leaking roof is not just a minor issue but a serious
and ongoing one. The roof, a fundamental element of shelter and security, is
failing, which signifies the speaker's vulnerability and the collapse of basic
protection in their life.
The phrase "The roof is leaking with
ignorance" introduces a deeper layer of meaning to the physical problem of
the leaking roof. Here, the word "ignorance" suggests that the
problem has been neglected for a long time, either by the speaker or by others
around them. It may also point to societal or communal negligence, where
critical issues are ignored until they become crises. The leaking roof is
symbolic of larger problems—whether personal, social, or spiritual—that have
gone unattended for too long, leading to their deterioration.
As the poem progresses, the speaker describes
the specific conditions of the roof. The timber that holds up the roof is
weakened, "eaten by termites," and the bolts that secure it have come
loose. The roof is barely holding together, with the frame that supports the
thatched tiles also full of holes. The imagery of decay and disintegration
reflects the fragility of the speaker's situation. Everything that once
provided stability and security is falling apart, and the speaker feels
powerless to stop it.
The speaker confesses that they cannot climb
up to fix the roof, which symbolizes their helplessness in addressing the
problems they face. The darkness around them further reinforces the sense of
isolation and despair, making it impossible for them to take control of the
situation. The darkness may also represent a lack of understanding or clarity,
as the speaker struggles to find solutions amidst the chaos.
Further describing the state of the roof, the
speaker notes that the dry grass on top is torn and filthy, with ants crawling
all over it. The mud, which should help seal the roof and prevent leaks, is
ineffective and unable to hold the water. This part of the poem conveys a sense
of futility—everything that should work to keep the house intact is failing.
The line "The inside and the outside have become one" suggests that
the barriers between safety and danger, security and insecurity, have collapsed.
The speaker is exposed to the elements, both literally and metaphorically, as
the forces of nature and life press in on them without any protection.
In the midst of this despair, the speaker
calls out to their mother, pleading for mercy. This cry for help underscores
the vulnerability and childlike desperation of the speaker. The mother figure
could represent a source of comfort and nurturing, someone who might be able to
provide relief from the storm. However, the mother’s ability to intervene is
uncertain, which deepens the speaker's feeling of isolation.
Despite all the challenges, the poem ends on
a note of faith. The speaker expresses trust in Shishunaaladeesha, likely a
reference to a divine or spiritual figure, in whom they have placed their hope
for protection. The mention of this figure suggests that while the speaker
feels powerless in their current situation, they still believe that a higher
power will intervene and offer salvation. The final lines reveal a deep
reliance on faith as the only remaining source of strength in a time of great
difficulty.
In summary, "Ceiling is Leaking" by
Shushilanal Sharif uses the image of a broken and leaking roof to explore
themes of neglect, helplessness, and the need for faith in challenging times.
The physical decay of the roof reflects the speaker's inner turmoil and sense
of vulnerability. Although the speaker is unable to fix the roof or escape the
storm on their own, they ultimately place their trust in a higher power, hoping
for protection and salvation. The poem resonates with readers who have
experienced moments of powerlessness, reminding them that even in times of
despair, faith can offer a sense of hope.
ONE-MARK QUESTIONS:
1. Who is the poet of "Ceiling is
Leaking"?
Answer:
Shushilanal Sharif.
2. What is the main issue described in the
poem?
Answer:
The roof is leaking.
3. What symbolizes ignorance in the poem?
Answer:
The leaking roof.
4. Which insects are mentioned as being
present on the roof?
Answer: Ants.
5. What does the speaker call out for in the
poem?
Answer: The speaker calls out to their mother
for mercy.
TWO-MARK QUESTIONS:
1. What does the phrase “The roof is leaking
with ignorance” imply?
Answer:
It implies that neglect and unawareness have contributed to the deterioration
of the roof, representing larger societal or personal issues that have been
ignored.
2. What condition has the wooden beam of the
roof suffered from?
Answer:
The wooden beam has been eaten by termites, leading to its weakness.
3. Why does the speaker feel helpless?
Answer:
The speaker feels helpless because they cannot climb up to fix the roof and are
surrounded by darkness and decay.
THREE-MARK QUESTIONS:
1. How does the poem portray the theme of
despair?
Answer:
The poem portrays despair through vivid imagery of a leaking roof in disrepair,
the darkness surrounding the speaker, and the inability to fix their situation.
The breakdown of the roof symbolizes their feelings of vulnerability and
hopelessness, reflecting a lack of support and care.
2. What does the line “The inside and the
outside have become one” suggest?
Answer:
This line suggests a loss of boundaries between safety and danger, indicating
that the speaker’s home is no longer a place of refuge. It signifies that the
problems they face have invaded their space, leaving them exposed and
vulnerable.
3. What role does faith play in the poem?
Answer:
Faith serves as a source of hope for the speaker amidst their struggles.
Despite the dire situation, the speaker places their trust in Shishunaaladeesha,
believing that this higher power will provide protection and support during the
heavy rains.
FOUR-MARK QUESTIONS:
1. Discuss how the poem uses imagery to
convey feelings of neglect and despair.
Answer:
The poem uses powerful imagery to illustrate the neglected state of the roof,
describing the broken wooden beams, holes in the frame, and filthy dry grass.
This imagery evokes a sense of decay and hopelessness, suggesting that the
speaker's situation has been left unattended for too long. The dark
surroundings further enhance the feelings of isolation and vulnerability,
creating a vivid picture of despair.
2. Analyze the significance of the speaker's
plea to their mother in the poem.
Answer:
The plea to the mother highlights the speaker's vulnerability and longing for
comfort and protection. The mother figure symbolizes care and nurturing,
representing the hope that someone will listen and help alleviate their
suffering. This cry for mercy underscores the depth of the speaker's despair,
emphasizing their need for support in a time of crisis.
3. What does the poem suggest about the
relationship between nature and human experience?
Answer:
The poem suggests a close relationship between nature and human experience,
where the external environment reflects internal struggles. The leaking roof
represents the chaos and challenges of life, while the heavy rains symbolize
overwhelming difficulties. The inability to maintain the roof mirrors the
speaker's feelings of helplessness and neglect, indicating that the natural
world and personal experiences are interconnected.
TEN-MARK QUESTION:
Q: Examine how Shushilanal Sharif uses the
metaphor of a leaking roof to explore themes of neglect, despair, and faith in
"Ceiling is Leaking."
Answer: In “Ceiling is Leaking,” Shushilanal
Sharif employs the metaphor of a leaking roof to delve into profound themes of
neglect, despair, and faith. The poem opens with the striking line, “The roof
is leaking,” which serves as a repeated refrain throughout the poem,
emphasizing the urgency and seriousness of the issue. The leaking roof is not
merely a physical problem; it symbolizes the emotional and spiritual neglect
experienced by the speaker, indicating larger issues of ignorance and
unawareness that have led to this deterioration.
The phrase “leaking with ignorance” suggests
that the speaker's circumstances have not only been ignored by others but
perhaps also by themselves. This neglect manifests in the physical state of the
roof, which is described as having beams eaten by termites and bolts that have
given way. These images vividly convey a sense of decay and the fragility of
the speaker's situation, reflecting how neglect can lead to the breakdown of
safety and security. The roof, a fundamental source of shelter, becomes a powerful
symbol of the speaker's vulnerability and the dire consequences of allowing
problems to fester without attention.
As the poem progresses, the imagery continues
to portray despair. The speaker describes the surrounding darkness and their
inability to climb up and repair the roof, reinforcing their helplessness in
the face of overwhelming circumstances. The line “The inside and the outside
have become one” further illustrates the collapse of boundaries between safety
and danger. The speaker is left exposed to the elements, both literally and
metaphorically, as the challenges of life invade their personal space. The mud
unable to hold the water symbolizes how ineffective their defenses have become,
highlighting the futility of their situation.
Amid this despair, the speaker calls out to
their mother, asking her to listen with mercy. This plea emphasizes their
vulnerability and the yearning for nurturing and support. The mother figure
represents a source of comfort in times of crisis, reflecting the natural human
desire for protection and care. However, the speaker’s isolation remains
palpable, as the call for mercy suggests a deep need for help that may not be
forthcoming.
Despite the grim circumstances, the poem
concludes with a note of faith. The speaker expresses their trust in Shishunaaladeesha,
believing that this divine figure will offer protection against the heavy
rains. This faith serves as a lifeline for the speaker, providing hope in a
seemingly hopeless situation. The acknowledgment of faith amidst despair
highlights the resilience of the human spirit, suggesting that even in the face
of overwhelming challenges, belief can provide solace and strength.
In summary, Shushilanal Sharif’s “Ceiling is
Leaking” uses the metaphor of a leaking roof to explore themes of neglect,
despair, and faith. The poem vividly illustrates the consequences of ignorance
and the feeling of vulnerability that arises when personal circumstances
deteriorate. Yet, through the invocation of faith, the poem ultimately conveys
a message of hope, demonstrating the enduring strength of belief even in the
darkest of times.
