skern meaning "mockery." The verb form of scorn entered Middle English from the Old French word escharnir, which is also derived from one of the Germanic words like skern. The Germanic word itself derives from the Latin word scornare meaning "treat with contempt."

Let's go a little deeper into the meaning and look at the synonyms that keep coming up, contempt, disdain and mock. The word "contempt" means having the feeling that someone or something is the object of complete disrespect; worthless or vile; despised. The word "disdain" also means to despise and treat as being completely unworthy. The word "mock" means to attack or treat someone or something with ridicule; to challenge or defy someone or something.

Now to your question. Someone whose eyes sparkle--or flare--with scorn for anyone and anything that crosses his path is likely to speak contemptuously, be antagonistic, be insulting, pick quarrels, always speak in a offensive manner, feel superior and arrogant, not make friends, not smile, sneer, frown, get into fights if the recipient of the insults is on the aggressive side.

Does this quote reference describe Yevgeny Yevtushenko or another individual in the autobiography? If it describes Yevtushenko, the above list is well suited because his biographers say he spent his young years in street fights with the other boys and that he had a way of speaking unpopular truths in school that got him into trouble.