"Tonight" by Agha Shahid Ali

"Tonight" is a ghazal written by Agha Shahid Ali, a poet from Kashmir. A ghazal is a type of poem with
rhyming couplets, where each couplet can have its own meaning but still connects to a central theme.

This poem is about loss, exile, and longing. The poet talks about feeling alone and separated, possibly
referring to the pain of Kashmir’s troubled history. He uses symbolism from different cultures, including
references to Biblical, Islamic, and literary figures like Ishmael from Moby-Dick and Emily Dickinson's
poetry.

Throughout the poem, the repeated word "tonight" creates a sense of urgency and sadness. The poet
questions love, faith, and destiny, showing his deep emotional suffering. He also blames God for his pain,
which makes the poem feel both personal and universal.

The last line, “God sobs in my arms. Call me Ishmael tonight,” suggests the poet sees himself as an exile,
much like Ishmael, rejected and wandering without a home.

Notes on "Tonight" (Easy Explanation)

1. Form & Style

o The poem is a ghazal (a traditional form of poetry from Arabic and Persian literature).
o It uses refrain (the word "tonight" is repeated at the end of each couplet).
o Each couplet is independent but still connects to the theme of loss and exile.
2. Themes
o Loss & Exile – The poet feels displaced and alone.
o Love & Separation – He talks about lost love, both romantic and spiritual.
o Faith & Doubt – He questions God and destiny, feeling abandoned.
o Memory & Identity – The poet remembers Kashmir, his homeland, and its struggles.
3. Symbolism & References
o "Call me Ishmael" – A reference to Moby-Dick, symbolizing exile.
o Biblical & Islamic references – Themes of suffering and faith.
o Emily Dickinson’s poem – The poet questions beauty and adornment, relating it to Kashmir.
o "God sobs in my arms" – A powerful image of deep sorrow and divine suffering.
4. Mood & Tone
o Melancholic (sad, longing for something lost).
o Elegiac (like a song of mourning).
o Reflective (the poet thinks about his past, his pain, and his identity).

Overall, "Tonight" is a deeply emotional poem that blends personal sorrow with the historical pain of
Kashmir. It uses rich imagery and cultural references to create a sense of longing, making it powerful and
timeless.

Probable Questions and Answers on "Tonight" by Agha Shahid Ali

1. What is the significance of the Ghazal form in "Tonight"?

Answer: "Tonight" follows the traditional ghazal structure, which consists of rhyming couplets (shers) with
a repeated refrain (radif). Each couplet is independent but contributes to the overall theme of loss, exile, and
longing. By using the ghazal form, Agha Shahid Ali connects with the classical poetic tradition of Arabic,
Persian, and Urdu literature while adapting it to contemporary English poetry.

2. How does Agha Shahid Ali use intertextuality in "Tonight"?

Answer: The poem references various literary and religious texts, blending Eastern and Western influences:

• Laurence Hope’s “Kashmiri Song” (opening lines) to evoke nostalgia.

• Emily Dickinson’s poem to discuss beauty and loss.
• Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick (“Call me Ishmael tonight”) as a symbol of exile.
• Religious imagery (God, angels, Jezebel, executioners) to explore faith and suffering.
This intertextuality deepens the poem’s meaning, linking the poet’s personal grief with broader literary
and historical traditions.

3. How does the repetition of the word "tonight" contribute to the poem’s meaning?

Answer: The word "tonight" functions as a radif, creating a sense of immediacy, urgency, and emotional
intensity. It symbolizes the poet’s state of exile, heartbreak, and longing, making the sorrow feel ongoing and
unresolved. Each repetition suggests a new layer of despair, reinforcing the feeling that the poet’s suffering
is eternal and inescapable.

4. What role does religious imagery play in "Tonight"?

Answer: Religious symbols in the poem reflect themes of faith, doubt, and suffering:

• "God sobs in my arms" – A shocking reversal where God, instead of being all-powerful, becomes
vulnerable, sharing the poet’s sorrow.
• "Archangels—their wings frozen—fell tonight" – Suggests divine abandonment and despair.
• "Executioners near the woman at the window" – Possibly references biblical stories (Elijah and
Jezebel), reinforcing themes of persecution and judgment.
• "Only we can convert the infidel tonight" – Challenges religious dogma, questioning the power
dynamics between faith and humanity.
These elements highlight the poet’s struggle with faith in a world filled with suffering.

5. How does Agha Shahid Ali’s Kashmiri identity shape the themes of "Tonight"?

Answer: Ali’s deep connection to Kashmir’s history of violence, displacement, and loss is central to the
poem. The longing for a lost homeland mirrors the ghazal tradition, where the lover longs for the beloved. His
experiences of exile and identity crisis reflect in the poem’s melancholic tone and sense of yearning, making
it both a personal and political statement.

6. Discuss the significance of the closing line: "God sobs in my arms. Call me Ishmael tonight."

Answer: This line blends religious, literary, and personal themes:

• “God sobs in my arms” – A bold reversal, portraying God as a sufferer rather than a savior.
• "Call me Ishmael" – A reference to Moby-Dick, where Ishmael is a survivor and wanderer,
symbolizing exile and displacement.
• “Tonight” – Reiterates the ongoing pain of exile and sorrow.
This conclusion emphasizes the poet’s alienation from his homeland and faith, reinforcing the
themes of loss, suffering, and identity crisis.

7. How does Agha Shahid Ali modernize the ghazal form in "Tonight"?

Answer: While maintaining the formal structure of a ghazal, Ali introduces modern themes and diction:

• Personal and political themes (exile, identity, loss of faith).

• Intertextuality with Western literature (Moby-Dick, Emily Dickinson).
 • Experimental language that blends classical and contemporary expressions.
By doing so, Ali bridges the gap between classical ghazal traditions and modern poetry, making
the form more accessible to contemporary readers.

8. Compare "Tonight" with traditional Urdu and Persian ghazals. How does Ali’s approach differ?

Answer:

• Similarities:
o Uses the traditional ghazal structure (couplets, rhyme, refrain).
o Themes of love, loss, and longing (common in ghazals).
o Symbolism of exile and separation (as seen in poets like Ghalib, Rumi, and Faiz).
• Differences:
o Written in English, expanding the reach of the ghazal.
o Intertextual references to Western literature (not common in classical ghazals).
o More explicit political undertones relating to Kashmir.
Ali’s approach modernizes the ghazal, making it relevant to contemporary themes while
respecting its traditional roots.

9. What is the role of exile and displacement in Agha Shahid Ali’s poetry?

Answer: Exile and displacement are central themes in Ali’s work, especially in The Country Without a Post
Office and Call Me Ishmael Tonight. Being a Kashmiri living in the US, he constantly grapples with nostalgia,
identity crisis, and cultural loss. In "Tonight," this theme manifests through:

• A sense of homelessness (emotional and physical).

• Religious and literary references that emphasize alienation.
• A melancholic, elegiac tone, mourning both personal and collective loss.
This makes Ali’s poetry deeply autobiographical and politically resonant.

10. How does "Tonight" reflect themes of memory and nostalgia?

Answer:

• Use of past literary references (Emily Dickinson, Laurence Hope) creates a dialogue with history.
• Symbolism of exile and longing reflects the poet’s nostalgia for Kashmir.
• Repetition of "tonight" makes memory feel immediate and inescapable.
• Religious and mythical imagery reinforces the poet’s yearning for the past.
Memory in "Tonight" is not just personal, but also a cultural and political act, preserving a lost
homeland and identity.

Conclusion

These questions and answers explore thematic depth, literary devices, and cultural influences in "Tonight."
Agha Shahid Ali’s ghazal is a masterpiece of modern poetry, blending classical traditions with contemporary
concerns of identity, exile, and loss.