I.A. Richards Figurative Language -(poems):
Hello learners. I'm a student. I'm writing this blog is given by Dilip sir Barad. Click here. (Teacher's blog).
Real poem :
Oh Jerusalem, the city of sorrow:
Summary :
Nizar Qabbani’s “Jerusalem! My Love, My Town” mourns the suffering of Jerusalem, a sacred city ravaged by violence. Through vivid imagery, he laments the loss of its sanctity, symbolized by "bloody walls" and sacred texts under threat. The poet calls for an end to aggression, reflecting on humanity’s failure to protect innocence and preserve peace.
Analysis :
Nizar Qabbani’s “Jerusalem! My Love, My Town” mourns the suffering of Jerusalem, portraying it as a sacred city desecrated by violence. The poet uses symbols like "bloody walls," tears, and sacred texts to emphasize loss and the violation of religious and cultural sanctity. Through rhetorical questions, he critiques humanity’s failure to protect innocence and preserve peace. The poem blends grief with urgency, calling for justice, unity, and an end to aggression, while highlighting Jerusalem’s universal significance.
Glossaries:
Jerusalem : City of peace
Aggression : Attacks
Pearl : Judaism , Christianity and islam
Bloody walls : literal and metaphorical refference to the violence and bloodshed in Jerusalem.
Safeguard the Bible : a plea to protect the sacred scripture of Christianity.
Symbols :
1. Jerusalem
Symbolism:
Jerusalem itself is the central symbol in the poem, representing a city of immense historical, religious, and cultural significance. It is a symbol of both unity and division, a place that holds deep spiritual meaning for Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike.
Interpretation:
As a symbol, Jerusalem embodies the innocence and sanctity that have been repeatedly attacked and desecrated by violence and conflict. It is both a physical city and a metaphor for the collective spiritual and moral struggles of humanity.
2. Bloody Walls
Symbolism:
The "bloody walls" symbolize the violent and destructive forces that have ravaged the city. The image evokes both the physical destruction of Jerusalem’s sacred spaces and the broader idea of moral decay and bloodshed in the name of power or religion.
Interpretation:
These walls are a metaphor for the suffering and sacrifice endured by the people of Jerusalem, as well as the violation of the city’s sacred and spiritual essence. The bloodshed reflects the ongoing cycles of conflict that stain the city’s history.
3. Christ
Symbolism:
Christ is a symbol of innocence, sacrifice, and redemption in Christianity. In the poem, Christ represents the enduring figure of peace and love, who has been betrayed and killed by humanity.
Interpretation:
By asking "Who will save Christ, from those who have killed Christ?", Qabbani highlights the paradox of repeated betrayals and violence, reflecting on how human society continually fails to protect what is sacred, innocent, and just.
4. The Bible and Quran
Symbolism:
These sacred texts represent the moral and spiritual teachings of Christianity and Islam. They are symbols of faith, peace, and the shared values of humanity.
Interpretation:
The poet’s plea to “safeguard the Bible” and “rescue the Quran” is a call to protect not just religious scriptures but the universal values of peace, tolerance, and justice that they represent. The destruction of Jerusalem is a metaphor for the loss of these core values.
5. Tears
Symbolism:
The "big tear wandering in the eye" is a symbol of sorrow, grief, and helplessness. It represents the personal and collective mourning over the destruction of Jerusalem.
Interpretation:
The tear is both a literal and figurative expression of the sadness
Difficulties about the poem :
(1).How does the historical and religious significance of Jerusalem influence the meaning of the poem?
(2).How does the imagery of tears and blood evoke the emotional tone of the poem?
(3).How do the unanswered questions about saving Christ, the Bible, and the Quran reflect humanity's moral failures?
(4).How does Qabbani’s depiction of Jerusalem challenge or affirm your own perceptions of the city ?
No comments:
Post a Comment