COURSE : Fables , Wisdom , literature & Epic
Assignment Topic : A Bird’s Complaint ( Poem )
Submitted By :
Adan Naveed ( 39 )
Zara Zahid ( 02 )
Haiqah Aitzaz ( 13 )
Eman Fatima ( 26 )
Sadia Nawaz ( 28 )
Salma Sarwar ( 31 )
Submitted To : Mam Labeeca Khalid
Semester : Second Regular
Department : Insitute of Food Science & Nutrition
,INTRODUCTION :
Allama Muhammad Iqbal was one of the greatest poets,
philosophers and thinkers of the Muslim world. He is widely
known as the “Poet of the East” because of his inspiring poetry
and deep philosophical ideas. His famous poetry collection
Bang-e-Dara which means “The Call of the Marching Bell,” was
originally written in the Urdu language. This collection contains
poems related to nature, patriotism, spirituality, self-respect,
freedom and human emotions. Iqbal used simple yet
meaningful language to express powerful ideas that could
inspire people emotionally and intellectually. His poetry
awakened political and spiritual consciousness among Muslims
of the subcontinent. “A Bird’s Complaint” is one of the most
emotional and memorable poems included in Bang-e-Dara. The
poem is admired because of its touching message, beautiful
imagery and emotional depth. Through symbolic language and
natural imagery, Iqbal successfully highlights the importance of
liberty and emotional attachment to homeland.
“A Bird’s Complaint” is a symbolic and emotional poem in
which a bird expresses its sorrow after being trapped inside a
cage. The bird remembers the beautiful gardens, flowers,
companions and peaceful life it once enjoyed before losing its
freedom. Through the voice of the bird, Iqbal presents feelings
of loneliness, separation, helplessness and longing for liberty.
The cage symbolizes imprisonment and oppression, while the
garden symbolizes freedom, peace and happiness. Although
the poem appears to describe the suffering of a bird, it actually
represents oppressed people and nations deprived of
independence. Iqbal uses emotional language to create
sympathy in the reader’s heart and to show the pain caused by
separation from one’s homeland. The poem also highlights the
emotional and psychological effects of captivity. Because of its
universal themes and touching emotions, the poem remains
one of the finest works of Urdu literature.
, CHARACTER ANALYSIS :
1. The Bird : The bird is the central character of the poem
and represents innocence, sensitivity and emotional
suffering. It is deeply attached to freedom, nature and its
homeland. Throughout the poem, the bird remembers the
joyful days when it lived freely in gardens among flowers
and companions. These memories make the bird emotional
because its present life inside the cage is completely
opposite to its happy past. The bird does not wish for
wealth or luxury; it only desires liberty and peace. Its
emotional expressions create sympathy in the reader’s
heart and make the pain of captivity feel real and
meaningful. The bird also symbolizes oppressed human
beings and nations that are deprived of freedom and forced
to live under control. Through the bird’s voice, Iqbal
presents the emotional pain caused by oppression and
separation.
Symbolic Elements Related to the Bird :
The Cage : The cage is one of the most important
symbolic elements in the poem. It represents imprisonment,
restriction, helplessness and oppression. The cage has taken
away the bird’s freedom and separated it from its natural
environment. Inside the cage, the bird feels lonely, silent
and emotionally disturbed. The dark atmosphere of the cage
contrasts sharply with the lively beauty of the garden.
Through this contrast, Iqbal highlights the painful effects of
captivity on emotional and mental life. The cage also
symbolizes colonial rule and political oppression during