Abou Ben Adhem Q.A

Extract 1) “ Abou ………bold.
1.1) Who was Abou Ben Adhem? What is meant by ‘may his tribe increase’? What
is the attitude of the narrator to Abou Ben Adhem?
1.1) Abou Ben Adhem was a simple soul who led a humble life. He loved and cared
for his fellowmen.
It means that may there be more people like Abou Ben Adhem in this world.
The narrator is impressed with Adhem and his love for his fellowmen. The poem
has been written based on the second Commandment of Christ “ Love thy
neighbor as thyself”. Abou Ben Adhem, thus brings out this principle in a
humanistic way.
1.2) Explain the meaning of ‘deep dream of peace’. How could Abou have peace?
1.2) ‘deep dream of peace’ means a really powerful sleep, it could also be a
reference to a deep meditative state.
Abou could have peace because he was a simple soul, who truly cared for his
fellowmen. He did not care about worldly possessions and fame. Thus, he was
peaceful and content with all that he had.
1.3) Describe the effect of moonlight in Abou’s room. Why is moonlight compared
to a lily in bloom?
1.3) The moonlight brightened Abou’s room. He saw a vision of an angel whose
light was spectacular, just like a lily that was going to bloom.
Moonlight is compared to a lily in bloom as it is beautiful to behold-bright, white

and breathtaking- just like a beautiful white lily in bloom.
1.4) What does Abou Ben Adhem encounter upon awakening ?Give the
significance of the book of gold.
1.4) While awakening from a deep dream of peace, Adhem encounters an angel
whose moonlight like presence brightened the room.
The angel was writing something in a book of gold. The angel, a heavenly being
was writing the names of those who loved God in this book of gold. The book of
gold was going to be presented to God in Heaven by the angel, hence it was
significant.
1.5) The next night, the angel came again with a great awakening light. The angel
showed Adhem the names of those whom the love of God had blessed.
Surprisingly, Abou’s name appeared on the top of the list.
Next page please

Extract 2) ‘And - - - - - - - fellow men.’
(2.1) What is referred to as the presence in the above extract? What does Abou
say to the presence?
(Ans) The angel who made the room glow like a lily in bloom, is referred to as the
presence in the extract.
Abou asked the angel in the room, what he was writing.
(2.2) What is the vision referred to here? Why does it raise its head?
(Ans) The vision being referred to is the angel here.
When Abou asked the angel in the room, what he was writing, the vision raises its
head and looks at Abou with a face that evokes kindness. The angel answers that
he is writing the names of those who love the Lord.
(2.3) What does the angel tell Abou Ben Adhem in the above extract?
(Ans) In the above extract, the angel tells Abou Ben Adhem that he is writing the
names of those who love the Lord.
(2.4) What does Abou curiously ask the angel? What makes Abou low?
(Ans) Abou curiously asked the angel if his name is on the list of those who love
the Lord.
The angel replies that Abou’s name is not on the list. Abou is disappointed to hear
the answer this makes him low (sad).
(2.5) Does Abou feel disheartened at the angel’s reply? Which words tell you so?
What does Abou request the angel to do?
(Ans) Yes, Abou feels disheartened at the angel’s reply. The words that tell me so
are :- ‘ - - - Abou spoke more low’
However, the next moment, Abou cheerfully request the angel to write his name
as one who loves his fellowmen. Next page please
Extract 3) ‘The angel - - - - - - - - all rest.’
(3.1) What did the angel write? Describe what happened the night after the angel
vanished.
(Ans) As requested by Abou Ben Adhem, the angel wrote down his name as one
who loved his fellowmen. Then, it vanished.
The twist took place the next night, when the angel appeared once more, with a
great wakening light. It showed Abou another list which had the names of those
whom the love of god had blessed. Surprisingly, Abou Ben Adhem’s name
appeared at the top of the list, ahead all the other names.
(3.2) Briefly give a character sketch of Abou Ben Adhem.
(Ans) Repeat answer 1.1.
(3.3) Explain the following lines:
(i) It came again with a great wakening light.
(Ans) The next night the angel appeared once again, with a very bright light that
aroused Abou Ben Adhem from his sleep.
(ii) And lo! Ben Adhem’s name led all the rest.
(Ans) Suprisingly, Ben Adhem’s name appeared at the top of the new list, ahead of
all other names.
(3.4) What did the angel show Abou? How can ou look at the extract as the climax
in the poem?
(Ans) The angel showed another list which had the names of those whom the love
of god had blessed and Abou’s name led all the rest
Refers to the text leading up to an event, phrase, mood or feeling of importance in
prose or poetry. The last four lines of the poem can be seen as the climax. The
angel writes that Abou loves his fellowmen and vanishes. To everybody’s surprise,
the angel appears again the next night and with a new set of names of people who
have been blessed by God. The word “to” adds to the climax. The poet says, “And
lo! Ben Adhem’s name led all the rest.”
(3.5) On the basis of the above extract, bring out the main theme of the poem.
(Ans) True devotion to God – pg 135.
The poem Abou Ben Adhem, depicts that true devotion to Godis found in love for
one’s neighbour. It is only when you love your fellowmen, you become worthy to
be loved by God. The poem is a celebration of humanistic ideas. Abou Ben Adhem,
a simple soul, on realizing that his name is not in the list of people who love God,
says to the angel that he loves his fellowmen. The twist takes place the next night
when the angel returns with another list having been blessed by the love of God.
Surprisingly, in this list, Ben Adhem’s name appears at the top of others. The poem
thus brings out the message that love for one’s fellowmen matters greatly in those
who love their fellowmen, Love God.

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Extract 1) “ Abou ………bold.

Moonlight is compared to a lily in bloom as it is beautiful to behold-bright, white

Next page please

Abou asked the angel in the room, what he was writing.

(Ans) The vision being referred to is the angel here.

(3.2) Briefly give a character sketch of Abou Ben Adhem.

(Ans) Repeat answer 1.1.

(3.3) Explain the following lines:

(i) It came again with a great wakening light.

(Ans) True devotion to God – pg 135.

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