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Leigh Hunt
Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
Explanation:
The poem starts by introducing the protagonist, Abou Ben Adhem, in a positive
and respectful tone. The poet wishes for Abou's prosperity. One night, Abou
experiences a peaceful dream. He awakens and notices a presence in his room
illuminated by moonlight, which is described as being beautiful and reminiscent
of a blooming lily.
An angel writing in a book of gold;
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the presence in the room he said,
"What writest thou?" The vision raised its head,
Explanation:
Abou realizes that the presence is an angel who is writing in a book made of
gold. The tranquility of the dream has emboldened Abou, and he bravely asks the
angel what it is writing. In response to his question, the angel raises its
head.
The angel answered, "The names of those
Who love the Lord." "And is mine one?" said Abou.
"Nay, not so," replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerily still; and said, "I pray thee, then,
Explanation:
Abou inquires about what the angel is writing, and the angel responds that it
is recording the names of those who love God. Abou asks if his name is among
them, expressing his desire to be counted as one who loves God. The angel
informs him that his name is not on the list. Abou, instead of becoming
disheartened, speaks with a lower tone but remains cheerful. He politely asks
the angel to write his name down.
Write me as one that loves his fellow men."
The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
Explanation:
Abou, understanding that his name is not listed among those who love God,
suggests to the angel that it should write him down as someone who loves his
fellow human beings. The angel complies and writes down his request. Then, the
angel disappears. The following night, the angel returns with a bright and
awakening light.
And showed the names whom love of God had blest;
And, lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.
Explanation:
On the second night, the angel reveals a list of names of those who have been
blessed by their love for God. To Abou's astonishment, his name is at the top
of the list, leading all the rest. This signifies that his act of loving his
fellow humans is recognized and cherished by God, placing him in a position of
high honor and grace.
"Abou Ben Adhem" may his tribe increase!
Awoke one night— it was at that time of the year
When the nights are longest, and there is most darkness,
And saw an angel standing in the moonlight;
Explanation:
The poem concludes by repeating the initial wish for Abou's prosperity. It sets
the scene by mentioning the time of the year when the nights are longest and
the darkness is most profound. Abou's encounter with the angel is restated,
emphasizing the angel's presence in the moonlight.
He said, "What writest thou?" The angel did not answer,
But wrote down the names of those who love the Lord.
And Ben Adhem's name was one among them.
Explanation:
The poem ends with a repetition of Abou's question to the angel, "What
writest thou?" However, this time, the angel doesn't respond to his
question. Instead, it writes down the names of those who love God. And once
again, the poem confirms that Abou's name is indeed among those who love God.
In
essence, "Abou Ben Adhem" conveys the idea that love for fellow
humans is as valuable as love for God. Abou's act of showing kindness and love
to his fellow men is regarded with equal importance and is recognized by the
divine. The poem underscores the notion that acts of compassion and benevolence
hold a significant place in the realm of spirituality and are worthy of divine
appreciation.
Question and Answers
Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold;
Q-1 Who was Abou Ben Adhem?
What is meant by 'may his tribe increase'?
Ans:-
In the 8th century, there lived a Sufi mystic named Abou Ben Adhem from Balkh,
belonging to royal heritage.
He
deeply cared for his tribe, who esteemed him as their spiritual leader. His teachings
centered on peace, unity, and aiding those in need. The phrase 'May his tribe
increase' expresses a wish for more individuals to adopt his teachings and walk
his path.
Q :- 2 Describe the phrase
that has been used by the poet to describe the great charm of the angel?
Ans:-
In this stanza,
In
the poem, the poet employs a simile when he describes the angel's enchanting
presence as 'like a lily in bloom'. A simile is a literary device where two
unlike things are compared using 'like' or 'as'. In this case, the poet draws a
comparison between the angel's beauty and the graceful sight of a blooming
lily, which is a flower. This simile accentuates the angel's charm by likening
it to something delicate and visually appealing like a lily in full bloom.
Q-3 Describe the imagery of
the scene.
Ans:-
The stanza vividly describes a powerful and meaningful scene. The first line
introduces Abou Ben Adhem with a parenthesis that emphasizes his strong
spiritual beliefs and values. Then, the stanza goes on to depict his moonlit
room and the angel's enchanting presence using captivating and clear imagery.
Q: 4. What does the last
line mean here?
Ans:-
This means that Abou Ben Adhem's reaction to the angel is different from what
one might expect from a regular person. His strong dedication to peace and
unshakeable faith in God make him unique. Because he hasn't done anything
wrong, he isn't afraid or worried by the angel being in his room. He possesses
great bravery, enabling him to confront even the most unusual experiences in
life.
Q: 5. Give the significance
of the 'book of gold' in the poem.
Ans:
The
'book of gold' is like a special record of people who truly love God. Its
importance comes from the fact that it only lists those who love God with a
pure heart and real dedication. When the angel tells Abou Ben Adhem that his
name isn't on the list of God's lovers, he isn't worried. He believes that the
'book of gold' also includes people who show love and kindness to others. This
means the book isn't just about those who love God, but also those who follow
the best ideals that lead to God's path.
And to the presence in the room he said,
"What writest thou?" The vision raised its head,
The angel answered, "The names of those
Who love the Lord." "And is mine one?" said Abou.
"Nay, not so," replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerily still; and said, "I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow men."
Q: 1 What does the words
'presence' and 'vision' refer to here? What made Abou bold?
Ans:-
In this stanza, 'presence' and 'vision' mean the angel being there and what he
sees. These words are used to say the angel's appearance is really bright, not
like a normal person. Abou's strong commitment to peace makes him bold.
Q: 2.What is the vision
doing? Why is Abou Ben curious? What does he say to the vision?
Ans:-
The vision is writing something in a book of gold. Abou Ben is curious as he
wants to know that what the vision is writing in the book of gold. After this
Abou questions the vision. "What writest thou?" or what are you
writing?
Q:-3 Why does the vision
raise its head? What did you note about its nature?
Ans:-
In
the poem "Abou Ben Adhem" by Leigh Hunt, the line "The vision
raised its head" is a metaphorical expression that refers to the
appearance of an angel in Abou Ben Adhem's room. The angel comes with a message
of love from God and is there to write down the names of those who love God.
The phrase "raised its head" implies that the angel's presence
becomes noticeable and significant, as if it were awakening from an unseen or
unnoticed state.
·
As for the nature of the vision or the angel, the poem does not provide
extensive details about its appearance or characteristics. It's portrayed more
as a spiritual and ethereal being, symbolizing a divine presence. The focus of
the poem is on Abou Ben Adhem's interaction with the angel and the message of
love and blessings it conveys, rather than on elaborate descriptions of the
angel itself.
Q: 4. What does the vision
reply to Abou? What made Abou low?
Ans:-
In "Abou Ben Adhem," after Abou Ben Adhem sees the angel in his room,
he asks the angel how many people's names are in the book of those who love
God. The angel responds, "The names of those who love the Lord." In
other words, the angel's reply is straightforward, indicating that the book
contains the names of people who love God.
·
As for what made Abou Ben Adhem "low," the term
"low" in the context of the poem refers to his humility or feeling of
unworthiness. When Abou Ben Adhem learns that his name is not among those who
love God in the angel's book, he feels disheartened and believes that he is not
deserving of God's love and blessings. This sense of humility and self-doubt is
what makes him feel "low."
Q5. What does Abou request
to the vision? What happens next?
Abou
Ben Adhem, upon realizing that his name is not among those who love God in the
angel's book, requests the vision or angel to write down his name as one who
loves his fellow human beings. He asks the angel if his name could be included
in the list of people who love their fellow men.
·
The angel then obliges Abou's request and writes his name in the golden
book. The next night, when the angel returns, he shows Abou that not only is
his name recorded among those who love God, but it is also at the top of the
list of those who love their fellow men. This twist in the story emphasizes the
idea that loving and serving humanity is just as important as loving God, and
Abou's compassion and kindness have earned him a special place in both
categories.
The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blest;
And, lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.
Q :- 1. What happens after
the angel disappeared? What did it show Adhem?
Ans-
After the angel disappeared, Abou Ben Adhem woke up the next morning and found
himself alone in his room. He began to doubt whether the encounter with the
angel had been real or just a dream. However, as he looked around, he saw
something extraordinary — the words "Abou Ben Adhem" at the top of
the list of those who love God. This showed him that the encounter with the
angel was indeed real, and his name had been inscribed as one who loved God.
·
Furthermore, when the angel reappeared the next night, he showed Abou
the second part of the message: his name was also at the top of the list of
those who love their fellow men. This revelation affirmed that Abou's request
to the angel to include him as one who loves humanity had been granted. The
angel's actions revealed that God values not only love and devotion toward Him
but also love and compassion for fellow human beings. This message brings
comfort and joy to Abou Ben Adhem, reassuring him of his place in both God's
and humanity's esteem.
Q-2. Describe the effect of
"a great wakening light".
Ans:-
The phrase "a great wakening light" from the poem "Abou Ben
Adhem" by Leigh Hunt refers to the sudden and profound illumination that
Abou experiences when the angel appears in his room. This light is not just a
physical brightness but also carries symbolic and spiritual significance.
·
The "great wakening light" represents a transformative moment
for Abou Ben Adhem. It signifies the awakening of his spiritual awareness, his
realization of the divine presence, and the significance of the angel's
message. This light serves as a metaphor for enlightenment, understanding, and
revelation. It suggests that Abou's encounter with the angel has brought him a
deeper understanding of love, both in its connection to God and in its
connection to his fellow humans.
Q: 3. How can you look at
the extract as the climax in the poem?
Ans:-
he climax is the point of highest emotional intensity and significance in a
story or poem. Here's how this moment serves as the climax:
Build-up: Throughout the poem, Abou
Ben Adhem is portrayed as a humble and kind-hearted person who cares about his
fellow human beings. He demonstrates his compassion by requesting the angel to
write his name as someone who loves humanity.
Conflict: The conflict in the poem
revolves around Abou's concern about whether his love for God and humanity is
recognized and acknowledged. This internal conflict creates tension and
anticipation in the narrative.
Climactic Moment: The climax occurs when the
angel appears and shows Abou his name at the top of both lists — those who love
God and those who love humanity. This revelation is the culmination of Abou's
internal struggle and desire for validation.
Emotional Impact: The moment is emotionally
charged because it addresses Abou's anxieties, doubts, and hopes. His encounter
with the angel and the subsequent revelation bring a mix of relief, joy, and
spiritual fulfillment. It's a moment of profound realization and transformation
for Abou.
Q:
4. What did you understand about the
character of Abou Ben Adhem?
Ans
:- characteristics that define the character of Abou Ben Adhem:
Compassion: Abou demonstrates deep
compassion for his fellow human beings by requesting the angel to write his
name as someone who loves humanity.
Humility: He exhibits humility by
questioning whether his name is among those who love God and by not presuming
that his love is automatically acknowledged.
Spiritual Awareness: Abou's openness to divine
experiences and his willingness to engage with the angel's message reflect his
spiritual awareness and connection.
Kindness: His concern for the
well-being of others and his desire to be counted among those who love humanity
showcase his genuine kindness.
Q :- 5. What message does
the poem bring?
In short, the poem "Abou Ben Adhem" conveys the message that love for both God and fellow humans is interconnected and equally important. Acts of compassion and kindness hold spiritual significance, and humility enhances the value of these actions. The poem highlights the idea that recognition and blessings often come to those who selflessly serve humanity and embrace love in its various forms.
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