Question

Read the following extract from Leigh Hunt's poem, ‘Abou Ben Adhem’ and answer the question that follows:

Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold, And to the presence in the room he said,

1. The poem begins with a blessing. What is this blessing? Explain its significance.    [3]
2. Explain in your own words the following lines and phrases from the poem:    [3]
   1. ‘Making it rich and like a lily in bloom,’
   2. A look made of all sweet accord
   3. A great wakening light
3. What was the angel doing in Abou Ben Adhem’s room? What did Abou ask the angel?   [3]
4. Why did Abou say to the angel, “Write me as one that loves his fellow men”? (Give the context)   [3]
5. Explain the last line of the poem: ‘And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.” If you had to give the poem a different title, what would you call it? Give a reason for your answer.   [4]

Answer 1

1. In Leigh Hunt's poem, "Abou Ben Adhem," the blessing referred to at the beginning is the "exceeding peace" that Abou Ben Adhem experiences upon waking and finding an angel writing in a book of gold. This profound sense of peace emboldens him to speak directly to the angel, an act that signifies his comfort and fearlessness in the presence of a divine entity.
   Significance of the Blessing:
   1. Spiritual Serenity: The "exceeding peace" highlights Abou Ben Adhem's inner tranquility and contentment, suggesting a life lived in harmony with his values and beliefs. This peace is so profound that it empowers him to interact confidently with the supernatural, reflecting his spiritual maturity and depth.
   2. Catalyst for Interaction: This peace serves as a catalyst for the interaction between Abou Ben Adhem and the angel. It is this calm and serene state that allows him to engage meaningfully with the angel, leading to significant spiritual revelations and further blessings as the poem progresses.
   3. Contrast to Fear: Typically, encounters with supernatural beings in literature are marked by fear or awe. However, in this poem, the blessing of peace removes any such fear, allowing a dialogue that is both bold and curious, setting the tone for a positive and enlightening interaction.
   4. Indicator of Virtue: The peace might also signify the purity of Abou Ben Adhem's character. It suggests that he is a virtuous and righteous man, which is later confirmed by the angel's revelations about those who love God and are loved by God.
      Overall, this initial blessing of peace is crucial for setting the thematic tone of the poem, emphasizing the virtues of peace, love, and divine favor, which are central to its message.
2. 
   

   1. In Leigh Hunt's poem "Abou Ben Adhem," the angel is found writing in a book when Abou Ben Adhem wakes up. This book, described as being golden, signifies its importance and divine nature, often interpreted as a ledger of those who love God.

      Upon seeing the angel, Abou Ben Adhem's curiosity and boldness, prompted by his peaceful state of mind, led him to engage directly with the celestial being. He asks the angel what it is writing. The angel replies that it is listing the names of those who love the Lord. Intrigued by this response, Abou further inquires if his own name is included in the list. The angel tells him that his name is not on that list. Subsequently, Abou Ben Adhem requests that the angel write his name as one who loves his fellow men. This exchange highlights Abou's selfless character and his priority of humanistic values over direct divine adoration.

   2. In Leigh Hunt's poem "Abou Ben Adhem," the below phrase enriches the narrative with vivid imagery and deep symbolism.

      This line refers to the profound and enlightening realization or insight that comes to Abou Ben Adhem, possibly through his interaction with the angel. The "great wakening light" metaphorically represents a sudden clarity or understanding, akin to an epiphany that illuminates his mind and soul. It signifies a transformative moment of spiritual awakening, possibly guiding Abou to a higher level of consciousness or a deeper spiritual path.

      These descriptions not only enhance the poem’s aesthetic and emotional depth but also contribute to its spiritual and moral undertones, depicting moments of divine interaction, enlightenment, and the beauty of spiritual purity.

   3. In Leigh Hunt's poem "Abou Ben Adhem," the below phrase enriches the narrative with vivid imagery and deep symbolism.

      This phrase describes the angel’s expression when interacting with Abou Ben Adhem. The term "sweet accord" conveys a sense of harmony and pleasant agreement. It suggests that the angel's look is gentle, peaceful, and full of benevolence, reflecting a deep understanding and a serene connection between the angel and Abou Ben Adhem. This look might also symbolize the angel's approval and support of Abou's curious and bold approach, highlighting a bond of mutual respect and kindness.

3. Abou Ben Adhem's request to the angel, "Write me as one that loves his fellow men," reflects a fundamental aspect of his character and philosophical outlook. When he learns from the angel that his name is not included in the list of those who love God, instead of showing despair or pleading for his name to be added, he asks to be recorded as someone who loves humanity. This request highlights several key points about his personality and values:
   1. Humanism: Abou Ben Adhem prioritizes human love and compassion over direct devotion to God. His request suggests that he believes loving and serving his fellow humans is a form of spiritual expression and perhaps even a way to show love for God indirectly.
   2. Self-Identity: His request reflects a self-awareness of his role and what he values most. Abou is confident in his identity as a lover of humanity, which he views as his most significant contribution and legacy.
   3. Inclusivity: By asking to be written as one who loves his fellow men, Abou is emphasizing an inclusive and universal approach to goodness and virtue, which transcends religious or sectarian lines. This approach is welcoming and open, focusing on the universal value of kindness and brotherhood.
   4. Spiritual Insight: This moment also underscores a spiritual insight that true devotion and righteousness might be measured by how one treats others, an idea that resonates with many religious and moral teachings around the world.
      Abou Ben Adhem's interaction with the angel, therefore, serves as a profound statement on the importance of humanistic values in religious and spiritual life, suggesting that love for one's fellow humans can be as sacred as love for God.
4. 
   
   1. The last line of Leigh Hunt's poem, "Abou Ben Adhem," which reads "And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest," reveals a significant and uplifting twist. This line comes after Abou Ben Adhem asks the angel to write his name as one who loves his fellow men, rather than as one who loves God directly.
   2. The angel returns the following night and shows Abou that his name now not only appears in the book of those who love God but actually leads all the others. This suggests that his genuine love for humanity, his altruism, and his selflessness have elevated him to the highest place in the divine ledger, even above those who might focus solely on their devotion to God. It underscores the idea that loving and caring for one's fellow humans is deeply valued in the eyes of the divine, perhaps even considered the highest form of love.
   3. If I had to give the poem a different title, I might call it "The Highest Love." This title reflects the poem’s central message that love for fellow human beings is perhaps the highest form of love and devotion, transcending even direct worship or adoration of God.
   4. It encapsulates the theme of universal love and its divine recognition, which is eloquently conveyed through the story of Abou Ben Adhem and his interaction with the angel. This title would highlight the moral that true greatness and spiritual leadership come from selfless love and benevolence towards others, aligning with the poem's emphasis on the impact and value of humanistic virtues.

5. In Leigh Hunt's poem "Abou Ben Adhem," the below phrase enriches the narrative with vivid imagery and deep symbolism.

   This line describes the book that the angel is writing in, presumably a holy or divine ledger. The metaphor of a lily in bloom suggests purity, beauty, and a flourishing state, implying that the book is not only filled with sacred content but is also blossoming with goodness and spiritual wealth. It indicates that the names recorded in the book are thriving in their spiritual journey, much like a lily reaching its full and beautiful bloom.