Grade-7 English, Abou Ben Adhem (1834)

 

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:

 

Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,

And to the presence in the room he said,

"What writest thou?"—The vision raised its head,

And with a look made of all sweet accord,

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 cheerly still; and said, "I pray thee, then,

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,

And showed the names whom love of God had blest,

And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.

 

~ Leigh Hunt

 

Summary-

"Abou Ben Adhem" is a poem written by Leigh Hunt in 1834. It tells the story of a man named Abou Ben Adhem who had a special encounter with an angel in the middle of the night. Here's a summary of the poem:

 

Abou Ben Adhem, one night, woke up from a peaceful dream and saw an angel in his room, bathed in moonlight, writing in a golden book. This angel was writing down the names of people who loved God. Abou, feeling bold and curious, asked if his name was on the list. The angel, however, replied that his name was not there.

 

Abou was not discouraged. Instead, he asked the angel to write his name down as someone who loves his fellow human beings. The angel then disappeared.

 

The following night, the angel returned with a bright light and showed Abou a list of names. To Abou's surprise, his name was at the top of the list, leading all the others. This suggests that by showing love and kindness to his fellow humans, Abou had earned a special place in the eyes of God and the angel.

 

In essence, the poem teaches us that acts of kindness and love towards others are highly regarded, and they can make a person truly special in the eyes of God. It encourages us to be compassionate and caring towards our fellow human beings.

 

Exercise

 

Q.1:  Who is the main character in the poem?

Answer: The main character in the poem is Abou Ben Adhem.

 

Q.2: What happens to Abou Ben Adhem in the middle of the night?

Answer: Abou Ben Adhem wakes up one night from a deep dream of peace and sees an angel in his room.

 

Q.3: What is the angel doing in Abou's room?

Answer: The angel is writing in a book of gold, recording the names of those who love the Lord.

 

Q.4: What does Abou Ben Adhem ask the angel?

Answer: Abou asks the angel if his name is on the list of those who love the Lord.

 

Q.5: Is Abou's name on the angel's list of those who love the Lord? Why or why not?

Answer: No, Abou's name is not on the list initially because he asked specifically if his name was there, and the angel only recorded the names of those who loved God.

 

Q.6: What does Abou Ben Adhem ask the angel to do after learning that his name is not on the list?

Answer: Abou asks the angel to write his name as one who loves his fellow men.

 

Q.6: What happens on the next night after Abou's request to the angel?

Answer: The angel returns with a bright light and shows Abou a list of names, with Abou's name at the top, leading all the others.

 

Q.7: What does the fact that Abou's name is at the top of the list indicate?

Answer: It indicates that Abou's love and kindness towards his fellow human beings have made him highly regarded in the eyes of God and the angel.

 

Q.8: What is the main message or lesson of the poem?

Answer: The main message of the poem is that acts of kindness and love towards others are highly valued, and they can earn a special place in the eyes of God. It encourages us to be compassionate and caring towards our fellow human beings.

 

Q.8: What is the significance of the angel appearing in the moonlight in Abou Ben Adhem's room? How does this setting contribute to the poem's mood?

Answer: The significance of the angel appearing in the moonlight in Abou Ben Adhem's room is that it creates a tranquil and ethereal atmosphere. The moonlight symbolizes serenity and spiritual insight, enhancing the poem's mood of peace and spirituality.

 

Q.9: Describe the symbolism of the angel writing in a book of gold. What does the golden book represent in the poem?

Answer: The angel writing in a book of gold symbolizes the divine record of those who love God. The golden book represents the sacred nature of this record, suggesting that it holds great importance in the spiritual realm.

Q.10: How does the poet use dialogue between Abou and the angel to convey the poem's central message? Provide examples from the poem.

Answer: The poet uses dialogue between Abou and the angel to convey the poem's central message of the value of love for fellow human beings. For example, when Abou asks the angel to write him as one who loves his fellow men, it emphasizes the idea that love for others is as important as love for God.

 

Q.11: Identify any metaphors or similes used in the poem. How do these figurative language techniques enhance the reader's understanding of the poem?

Answer: The poem uses metaphor when it describes the angel's look as "made of all sweet accord," comparing the angel's expression to harmony and concord. There are also similes, such as when the angel's presence is described as "like a lily in bloom," which creates a vivid image of the angel's appearance.

 

Q.12: What is the rhyme scheme in "Abou Ben Adhem"? How does the rhyme scheme contribute to the flow and musicality of the poem?

Answer: The rhyme scheme in "Abou Ben Adhem" is AAABBB, where the last word of the first and second lines of each stanza rhyme with each other (e.g., "increase" and "peace"), contributing to the poem's rhythmic and musical quality.

 

Q.13: Explain how the poet uses repetition in the poem, such as the repetition of the word "name." What effect does this repetition have on the reader?

Answer: The poet uses repetition of the word "name" to emphasize the importance of one's name being written in the angel's book. This repetition underscores the significance of being recognized for one's love, whether for God or fellow humans.

 

Q.14: Explore the theme of spiritual love and love for fellow humans in the poem. How does the poet use these themes to convey a deeper message?

Answer: The theme of spiritual love and love for fellow humans underscores the idea that compassion and kindness towards others are highly regarded in the eyes of God. The poem conveys the message that these forms of love are interconnected and equally important.

 

Q.15: Discuss the role of light in the poem, both in terms of the angel's appearance and the "great wakening light" mentioned. How does light symbolize enlightenment or revelation in the poem?

Answer: Light in the poem symbolizes spiritual awakening and revelation. The angel's appearance in moonlight and the "great wakening light" on the next night signify moments of divine insight and enlightenment for Abou.

 

Q.16: Analyze the structure of the poem. How does the poet use stanzas and line breaks to create pacing and emphasize key moments in the narrative?

Answer: The structure of the poem consists of three quatrains (four-line stanzas) followed by a final couplet (two-line stanza). This structure creates a sense of balance and progression, with the final couplet emphasizing the culmination of Abou's spiritual journey.

 

Q.17: How does the title of the poem, "Abou Ben Adhem," relate to the poem's content and themes? What is the significance of using the protagonist's name as the title?

Answer: The title "Abou Ben Adhem" is significant because it identifies the protagonist of the poem. It suggests that the poem is focused on Abou's character and experiences, particularly his journey of discovering the importance of love for fellow humans in addition to his love for God.