Essay Questions

Hunt's poem has been compared to a fable in both its narrative and its style. Why is this?

It is perhaps not surprising that this poem, or any of Leigh Hunt's poems, be compared to a Fable; after all, he spent much of his literary career translating original Greek prose and poetry into English, much of which had a fable-like leaning and form. Traditionally, a fable is a sort of teaching tool; a story with a moral to it; this poem is no different. It teaches using examples of behavior that is considered either correct or incorrect.

The people on the first list say that they love God, This, you would think, would be rewarded with God's blessings. Abou Ben Adhem is not on the list, and asks that he is put on the list of those who love their fellow man. The people on the second list are blessed by God. The narrative implies that the people who love God will be the most blessed, but they are not; Abou Ben Adhem's name is at the top of the second list and so the "moral" of the story is that the best way to demonstrate one's love for God is to love one's fellow man. This is not so much a poem, as a fable, which is why Hunt's work is often considered in that light.

Abou Ben Adhem is a great man. What in the poem tells us this?

There are several ways in which the goodness of Abou Ben Adhem is emphasized in the poem. At the beginning, the speaker wishes that his tribe may increase; this suggests that he is so good that the world can do with many more men like him. Another example of his goodness is the fact that he awakens from a sleep that was deep and peaceful. This shows that he is not kept awake at night by thoughts of conflict or of things that he is regretful about. He is comfortable and confident in himself because he is not frightened of anything. This, too, shows that he is a good man.

Another indication of Abou Ben Adhem's greatness is the fact that an angel appeared to him Angels are emissaries of God and so the fact that God sent an angel to him shows that he is both blessed, and considered great in himself.

Discuss the supernatural element in Abou Ben Adhem.

The background to Hunt's Abou Ben Adhem is highly religious and the narrative of the poem takes place in the night, in Abou Ben Adhem's bedroom, the factors which set a supernatural context to the poem.

Despite the presence of the faint "moonlight in [Abou Ben Adhem's] room", it becomes unnaturally white "like a lily in in bloom." The writer's reference to the unexpected bright light in somebody's room at night draws upon supernatural elements. On the other hand, the reference to a "lily" also sets an ominous theme to the poem as lilies are a symbol of death. However, the sinister picture drawn in the first few lines of the poem soon vanishes when the reader is told about the "angel" who is writing in a "book of gold." Though these are happy and positive images, they refer to unworldly things: angels exists in religious contexts and fairy tales. Moreover, the "book of gold" may represent the Bible, and therefore, the angel and the book draw religious connotations.

How does Abou Ben Adhem’s humility play a crucial role in the poem’s resolution?

The poem's resolution depends heavily on Abou Ben Adhem's humility since it turns the emphasis from self-glory to sincere compassion. His first cry for attention is replaced with a selfless need to be counted among those who genuinely care about other people. His name will be honored in a greater context as a result of his modest desire, which is in line with heavenly ideals. His humility guarantees that he is blessed not only for his recognition of God but also for his profound empathy for others, demonstrating that genuine spiritual favor is bestowed via altruism and kindness rather than selfish goals.