The Day of The Scorpion/В день скорпиона - Скот Пол Scott Paul

Several characters in The Day of the Scorpion are based on real life people. It is likely that Paul Scott used Abul Kalam Azad, a prominent Muslim politician who stayed with the Congress and opposed partition, as the basis for his portrayal of Kasim. Although Mohammed Kasim agrees with the overwhelming desire of Indians to rule their own country, and wants independence for India, he wants a unified India. ... The scorpion clearly symbolises the British Raj. When threatened by the flames of Indian independence, its antagonistic reactions hasten its own destruction. Ironically, the idea that the scorpion stings itself to death if surrounded by fire, is a myth. In fact it dies as a result of a reflex action