Fadwa Tuqan: Poems Literary Elements

The poem Hamza is written from the first person perspective, giving a narrative of another character 'Hamza.'

Hamza is written as a narrative, in three separate stanzas that reveal the progression of events.

Hamza is described as 'just an ordinary man / like others in my hometown.' This simile shows his everyday nature and his representation as a symbol for the population to rise up against those persecuting and controlling them. He is also described in the simile 'like a rock on his own back.'
The metaphor 'when the rose of blood / blooms on the wound.,' represents regeneration and new growth.

The alliteration 'scattered by frivolous fate,' emphasizes the almost light-hearted adjective 'frivolous,' compared to the sad tone of the poem Longing: Inspired by the Law of Gravity.

It is ironic that Hamza presents the hope to Turqan, yet he is the one who ends up hurt at the end of the poem.

Hamza is a narrative, a fictional story. The genre is contemplative poetry.

Hamza is set in 'Palestine,' and takes place over a number of days.

Labor pains presents a melancholic and sad tone.

Hamza is the protagonist and the authorities are the antagonist.

In the poem Hamza, there is a major conflict between the protagonist Hamza and 'The military ruler of [their] town,' and 'armed soldiers.' This represents the conflict between authority, perhaps corrupt, and the people of Palestine.

In Hamza the climax is when Hamza refuses to leave his home, crying "in this house my children / and I will live and die / for Palestine." The drama ensues when 'the rooms were blown to pieces in the sky,' and 'the stones all burst forth.'

Hamza is told to leave ''in an hour, yes!'' otherwise his house will be destroyed. Turqan then reveals 'An hour later, impeccably, / the house came crumbing down.' This fulfills the foreshadowing.

The use of the adjective 'ordinary,' and its repetition is an understatement as 'Hamza-the-ordinary,' is really a very brave man. However the understatement gives those who live everyday lives under this authority a symbol of bravery in everyday life to aspire to and an example to follow, as well as a tangible hope.

The prayer-like exclamation 'O God, don't let me be a burden,' is a religious allusion.

'The law of the universe,' which is gravity, which is lost in the poem Longing: Inspired by the Law of Gravity represents the loss of an important part of Turqan's life and the aspects of society and humanity that bind their society.

The land of Palestine is described in the personification 'our land has a throbbing heart, / it doesn't cease to beat, and it endures / the unendurable.'

The hyperbole of 'the rooms were blown to pieces in the sky, / and the bricks and the stones all burst forth, / burying dreams and memories of a lifetime,' parallels the hyperbolic and unnecessary actions of the authorities. It also shows the devastation of the destruction caused.

The sound effect of a 'bang,' is used in the poem Hamza to display a sudden action, rather than onomatopoeia.