Poem The Hunt by Daud Kamal

The Hunt by Daud Kamal

The poem ‘The Hunt’ by Daud Kamal is a short but powerful piece that explores the theme of violence and its impact on the human psyche. The poem is set in the context of the Partition of India in 1947, which resulted in the creation of Pakistan and India as two separate nations, and the subsequent mass migration, communal riots, and bloodshed that ensued. The poem uses vivid imagery and poetic devices to convey the horror and trauma of witnessing such atrocities, as well as the sense of loss and displacement that the poet feels.

Analysis 

The poem consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is abab, which creates a sense of rhythm and continuity but also contrasts with the chaotic and disturbing content of the poem. The first stanza introduces the speaker as a hunter who is pursuing a deer in the forest. The deer is a symbol of innocence, beauty, and grace, while the hunter represents the aggressor, the predator, and the oppressor. The speaker uses a simile to compare the deer’s eyes to “two drops of dew”, which suggests purity and freshness, but also fragility and vulnerability. The speaker also uses an oxymoron to describe the deer’s “gentle speed”, which implies that the deer is not a threat, but rather a victim.

The second stanza reveals that the speaker is not alone in his hunt, but is accompanied by other hunters who are armed with guns. The speaker uses a metaphor to compare their guns to “flutes”, which creates a sense of irony and contrast, as flutes are musical instruments that produce soothing and harmonious sounds, while guns are weapons that produce loud and violent noises. The speaker also uses personification to describe how the guns “sing” and “dance”, which suggests that the hunters are enjoying their hunt and are oblivious to the pain and suffering they are causing. The speaker also uses alliteration to emphasize the sound of the guns, such as “spit”, “spatter”, and “splinter”.

The third stanza shifts the scene from the forest to the city, where the speaker witnesses another form of violence: communal riots. The speaker uses imagery to describe how he sees “blood on every wall” and “flames licking at every door”, which creates a sense of horror and destruction. The speaker also uses anaphora to repeat the phrase “I saw”, which indicates that he is traumatized by what he sees and cannot escape from his memories. The speaker also uses a paradox to describe how he sees “men killing men / In the name of God”, which implies that he is confused and disillusioned by how religion can be used to justify violence and hatred.

The fourth stanza concludes the poem by revealing that the speaker has lost his home, his identity, and his sense of belonging. The speaker uses a rhetorical question to ask “Where shall I go?”, which expresses his despair and hopelessness. The speaker also uses repetition to state that he has “no country” and “no flag”, which indicates that he feels alienated and displaced by the Partition. The speaker also uses an antithesis to contrast his past and present situation: he used to have “a house” and “a garden”, but now he has “a tent” and “a desert”. The speaker also uses a metaphor to compare his life to “a broken mirror”, which suggests that he is shattered, fragmented, and distorted by his experiences.

Conclusion

The poem ‘The Hunt’ by Daud Kamal is a powerful example of Pakistani English literature that reflects on the historical and cultural context of Pakistan’s birth as a nation. The poem also contributes to the discourse of literature in Pakistan by addressing the themes of violence, trauma, loss, displacement, identity, religion, and nationalism. The poem also demonstrates the poet’s skilful use of imagery and poetic devices to create a vivid and emotional impact on the reader. The poem is a testament to the poet’s sensitivity and awareness of the human condition in times of crisis and conflict.