Critical Appreciation of the Poem “A Different History” by Sujata Bhatt

Critical Appreciation of the Poem “A Different History” by Sujata Bhatt

Sujata Bhatt’s poem “A Different History” is a thoughtful and symbolic poem that explores Indian culture, respect for nature and knowledge, and the impact of colonialism on language and identity. The poem beautifully blends spirituality with history and expresses the poet’s inner conflict about the English language — a language that once represented oppression but has now become part of her identity.

The poem begins with the line “Great Pan is not dead; he simply emigrated to India.” Pan, the Greek god of nature, represents freedom, music, and life. By saying that Pan has come to India, the poet means that the spirit of nature and divinity still lives strongly in Indian culture. In India, gods are believed to move freely in the form of animals like snakes or monkeys, and every tree is considered sacred.

The poet emphasizes that it is a sin to treat books carelessly — because books are made from trees, and trees are part of divine nature. Throwing a book, hitting it, or touching it with the foot are all forms of disrespect, not only toward knowledge but also toward nature and the gods. This shows the deep spiritual connection between learning, nature, and divinity in Indian culture.

In the second part of the poem, Bhatt raises serious and emotional questions about language and oppression. She asks:

“Which language has not been the oppressor’s tongue?”

Here, she refers to how conquerors have often used their language as a weapon to dominate others. The English language, during British rule in India, became a tool of control and suppression.

Bhatt wonders how people, after suffering so much under colonial rule, could later begin to love and use the same foreign language. The line “the unborn grandchildren grow to love that strange language” shows the irony that future generations, who were never directly oppressed, start to cherish the very language that once symbolized slavery.

Through this, the poet expresses her confusion and sadness — she feels both grateful for English (because it helps her express herself) and guilty, knowing it once belonged to the oppressor. This creates a powerful emotional tension in the poem.

Sujata Bhatt’s language is simple yet rich in symbolism. She uses strong images from both Indian culture (Sarasvati, trees, snakes, monkeys) and Western mythology (Pan) to connect two worlds — East and West. Her tone shifts from calm and devotional in the beginning to questioning and reflective in the second part. The poem is written in free verse, which gives it a natural rhythm and allows the poet to express her thoughts freely.

The repetition of the word “sin” in the first part highlights the importance of respect, while the repeated questions in the second part emphasize doubt and moral conflict. The poem’s structure mirrors the poet’s divided identity — one rooted in Indian tradition and the other shaped by the English language.

 “A Different History” teaches us to respect our culture, nature, and the sources of our knowledge. It also reminds us of the deep scars left by colonialism and makes us question our relationship with language and identity. Sujata Bhatt celebrates India’s spiritual heritage while also expressing the pain of losing one’s native connection under foreign influence.

The poem ends with a message of understanding — that even after oppression, humans have the power to forgive, adapt, and transform what once hurt them into something meaningful.

Thus, Bhatt’s poem is both a celebration of Indian culture and a meditation on the history of language and identity. It speaks to readers of all generations, reminding them that true respect for knowledge and nature lies in humility, awareness, and gratitude.

🌿 Critical Appreciation of the Poem “A Different History”

The poem “A Different History” is written by Sujata Bhatt, an Indian-born poet who writes about identity, language, and culture. In this poem, she beautifully combines Indian traditions with the painful history of colonialism. The poem shows how India respects nature, books, and knowledge, and at the same time how the English language — once forced on Indians — has now become a part of Indian life.

In the first part of the poem, Bhatt describes the Indian way of life. She says that in India, every tree is sacred and every book is holy. People believe that gods live in animals and trees, like snakes or monkeys. Therefore, it is considered a sin to treat books or trees carelessly. The poet reminds us that knowledge and nature are both forms of the divine. We must treat them with love and respect.

In the second part, the tone of the poem changes. Bhatt asks some deep and painful questions about language and oppression. She asks which language in history has not been used by conquerors to rule others. She wonders how it happens that after years of torture and slavery, the same people begin to love the language of their oppressors. This shows the poet’s sadness and confusion about the loss of cultural identity.

The poem reflects two sides of India — the spiritual and the historical. On one side, there is respect for books, nature, and gods. On the other side, there is the memory of foreign rule and how English became a part of Indian culture. The poet wants us to think about our roots and our present identity.

The language of the poem is simple but full of meaning. It has many images from nature and Indian culture — trees, monkeys, snakes, and Goddess Sarasvati. The tone moves from peaceful to serious. The poem teaches us to respect our culture and to understand the power of language.

 “A Different History” is a thought-provoking poem that celebrates India’s love for nature and knowledge, while also reminding us of the painful effects of colonial rule. Sujata Bhatt’s poem tells us to value our culture, our language, and our history — and to remember that both nature and words deserve respect.