OTHER TORMENTS AND OTHER JOYS: THE DIALECTIC OF HOPE AND SELF IN THE POETRY OF FAIZ AHMED FAIZ

Abstract

The study analyses the poems from first two collections of poems of Faiz Ahmed Faiz translated by V.G. Kiernan through the lens of Marxist dialectics. The study focuses on two poems from each collection. The study shows – through a stylistic and thematic analysis – that the poems of Faiz are deeply embedded with a dialectical consciousness of history, life and the self. The study focuses on the contradictory elements within the poems of Faiz such as use of opposing metaphors in order to show how Faiz highlights contradictions within his poems. Furthermore, the study focuses on how the structure of the poems of Faiz is dialectical as well. The study also shows that the themes of Faiz’s poems are also dialectical. The theoretical framework chosen for the study is dialectical materialism proposed by Karl Marx and Engels. First two volumes of the poems of Faiz are chosen for the study as it provides sufficient substance for the analysis of the study. In conclusion the study highlights the Marxist dialectical underpinnings in the poems of Faiz.