The theme of social conformity is evident through the interactions between the speaker and the shopkeeper, revealing societal expectations and the pressure to conform to perceived norms. Initially, the speaker desires the shopkeeper to conform to his expectations by remaining civil and acknowledging the defective soap. By the poem's end, the speaker feels reluctantly obliged to give in.

The speaker's attempts to communicate the soap's defect showcase his adherence to his standards of quality and his expectation that the shopkeeper should accept these standards. Even in the face of rudeness, the speaker maintains a level of politeness that emphasizes his desire for a civilized resolution that aligns with his expectations of social conduct.

However, the dynamics shift as the conflict escalates. The shopkeeper challenges the speaker to step outside. This altercation introduces a physical dimension to the confrontation. The looming threat of a fight prompts the speaker to recognize the implicit power dynamic.

As the conflict spills onto the streets, a crowd gathers, adding a communal dimension. The speaker, faced with the growing audience, conforms to the societal expectation of pacification. Despite maintaining the stance that he is right, he ultimately gives in to the pressure and chooses to accept the defective soap. This resolution underscores the societal pressure to conform, even when faced with an unjust situation.

Ezekial's exploration of conformity becomes particularly relevant in a world marked by diverse cultural and linguistic nuances. The poem reflects the universal struggle individuals face in balancing personal integrity with societal pressures. The theme of social conformity, as depicted in "Soap," invites readers to contemplate the implications of conforming to societal expectations and the absurdity that can accompany such behavior.

The theme of communication challenges in "Soap" shows how difficult it can be to talk to someone, especially when working across different languages. In the poem, the speaker tries to tell the shopkeeper about the bad soap, but it gets tricky because they have to talk in Hindi, a language the speaker is not very good at. The communication barrier makes it hard for him to express himself as he wants. The speaker wants to keep the situation from escalating and tries to accomplish this with polite but direct language. This strategy fails, partly due to some form of linguistic miscommunication.

The communication issues in "Soap" offer insights into society and human nature. The poem suggests misunderstandings and conflicts can arise when people struggle to communicate effectively. This reflects a universal challenge in human interactions. While the shopkeeper's inner thoughts are unavailable to the reader, he may misunderstand the speaker's intentions. It is also possible that the shopkeeper is not as impolite as the speaker believes and that something important to mutual understanding is lost in translation.

Moreover, the poem reflects on power dynamics tied to language proficiency. It is subtly suggested that the shopkeeper and the speaker judge each other based on their socioeconomic backgrounds reflected in their differing language proficiencies. Ezekiel's exploration of communication challenges invites readers to consider the broader implications of linguistic dynamics and how they can help or hinder communication, urging them to reflect on the complexities of navigating conversations in a world marked by diverse languages and cultural backgrounds. The poem suggests that by acknowledging and addressing these challenges, people can foster a more inclusive and harmonious social environment.

The problems in communication cause both characters in the poem to believe that they are in the right and that the other person is being rude. The antagonism could have been avoided if they could more easily understand each other. With this in mind, "Soap" is a reminder to be patient, gracious, and understanding when communicating across linguistic and social barriers.