Lecture Notes: The Soft Storm Poem by Abi Subedi

Introduction

• Poet: Abi Subedi, a prolific critic and poet from Nepal.
• Relevance: Played a significant role in Nepalese literature; was a department head at Q for 40 years.
• Poem: "The Soft Storm" is a free verse poem without a rhyming scheme.
• Themes: Explores tumult and absurdities in Nepalese society, including anarchy, disorder, poverty, and gender discrimination.

Poetic Journey

• Setting: Describes a nighttime journey through the narrow lanes of Thamel, Kathmandu.
• Expression: The poet becomes "soft" as he absorbs the chaotic environment.
• Contrasts: External chaos vs. internal calmness.

Key Themes and Imagery

Chaos and Disorder

• Environment: Described as tumultuous, with commotion and anarchy.
• Human Nature: Inhumanity is depicted as people are self-serving and ignorant.

Nature

• Silent Struggle: Nature tries to rejuvenate and renew despite human chaos.
• Flowers on Stone: Symbolizes unnatural changes due to human actions.

Political and Social Critique

• False Promises: Political posters give false dreams, showcasing cultural and political violations.
• Law and Order: Constitutionally, rights exist but are not implemented, reflecting societal malpractice.

Helplessness and Empathy

• Class Disparities: Describes starving children vs. people in power behaving recklessly.
• Empathy Decline: Society’s decline in empathy and humanity.

Personal Conflict

• Internal Conflict: Poet struggles with the inability to enact change.
• Rebellion: A desire for revolutionary change amidst helplessness.

Symbolism and Metaphors

• Soft Storm: Represents the internal and societal turmoil.
• Helpless Debris: Symbolizes buried cultural values and ethics.
• Transistor Child: A metaphor for gender discrimination and social neglect.

Conclusion and Call to Action

• Awareness: The poem serves as a call to awaken societal consciousness.
• Transformation: Urges society to transform chaos into harmony.
• Ripple Effect: The poet desires his words to create awareness and change.
• Final Message: Encourages being the change one wants to see in the world.

Final Thought: Abi Subedi uses "The Soft Storm" to critique societal ills and inspire individuals to work towards a harmonious society.