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Jayatee Bhattacharya, Lovely Professional University Unit 9: Poems

Unit 9: Poems Notes

CONTENTS

Objectives
Introduction
9.1 ‘Abou Ben Adhem’ by James Henry Leigh Hunt
9.1.1 About the Poet
9.1.2 Summary and Analysis of the Poem
9.1.3 Keywords

9.1.4 Review Questions
9.2 The Tiger by William Blake
9.2.1 About the Poet

9.2.2 Summary and Analysis of the Poem
9.2.3 Keywords
9.2.4 Review Questions

Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:

z Realise the moral of the poems- ‘Abou Ben Adhem’ and ‘The tiger’
z Appreciate the lyrical composition of the poems

Introduction

A poem is a piece of writing that partakes of the nature of both speech and song, and that is
usually rhythmical and metaphorical. It conveys ideas, experiences and emotions. In this unit we
will read two such poems: Abou Ben Adhem and The Tiger.
Abou Ben Adhem is a poem with a religious concept. The poet has conveyed the ideas of

happiness, peace and love through easy and flowing rhymed couplets.
The Tiger,” originally called “The Tiger,” is a lyric poem focusing on the nature of God and his
creations. It was published in 1794 in a collection entitled Songs of Experience.

9.1 ‘Abou Ben Adhem’ by James Henry 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,
An angel writing in a book of gold:—
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,

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