Abstract
Content is regarded as the driving force behind linguistic formation and stylistic impact, carrying the depth and distinctive characteristics of a literary work. Form, however, is not merely a superficial manifestation of textual structure; rather, it conveys multiple connotations, expressive possibilities, and unique features of its own. This study explores poetic language and style through an examination of the dynamic interaction between form and content, which forms the basis of the title “Poetic Themes and Their Impact on the Linguistic Formation of Lutfi Zaghloul’s Poetry.”
Adopting a descriptive-analytical approach, the study arrives at several key findings. Most notably, the diversity of themes in Lutfi Zaghloul’s poetry reflects the suffering of the Palestinian people and their broader human experience, with the homeland constituting one of the central axes of his poetic vision. Zaghloul articulates his deep attachment to his homeland by depicting the pain caused by occupation and continuous hardship, rendering his poems powerful expressions of loss and heartbreak. In addition, he addresses themes of love and womanhood, through which he expresses passion, desire, and the significance of emotional communication in human relationships. This enhances the profound bond between poet and reader and embodies the poet’s comprehensive human experience.
Social and cultural concerns are likewise embedded in Zaghloul’s poetic language, as he draws upon religious and historical heritage to construct rich and evocative poetic imagery. By invoking historical and religious symbols, Zaghloul deepens the expressive power of his poems and conveys the suffering and aspirations of the Palestinian people, allowing his poetry to become a vessel of identity and belonging. This dynamism is most clearly reflected in his style, which combines classical and modern techniques, demonstrating a strong interaction between form and content while emphasizing emotional depth and enriching the reader’s engagement with the profound meanings of his poetry.
Keywords: Lutfi Zaghloul; form; content; style; structure
Introduction
Lutfi Abd al-Latif Saeed Zaghloul (1938–2021) was a Palestinian poet and writer whose works vividly express the suffering of his people and their aspirations for freedom and justice. His poetry embodies a literary vision that addresses both national and universal human concerns. This study examines poetic language and style through a close analysis of the interaction between form and content.
Content functions as the guiding and motivating force behind linguistic formation and stylistic effect, carrying the depth and distinctive qualities of the literary work. Form, by contrast, is not merely a superficial reinforcement of textual structure; rather, it encompasses a wide range of meanings, expressions, and stylistic particularities. Linguistic studies emphasize the communicative function of language, which manifests through its various forms and transformations. At times, language is praised for its effectiveness, precision, and persuasive power; at other times, it is criticized for its inability to achieve these aims. Such evaluations depend on multiple factors, including the speaker’s circumstances, the listener’s condition, and the specific context in which the linguistic message is produced.
The language of a literary work—whether poetic or prose—is inseparable from the work itself and constitutes one of its fundamental components. Observing the evolution of Arabic literary language across historical periods reveals significant transformations that have enriched its structure and introduced new expressive dimensions. Poetic language has moved from confined expressive realms to broader and more diverse horizons, intertwining with the spirit of the age and the characteristics of the surrounding environment. These elements merge with the poet’s linguistic tools during the creative process, collectively shaping the poem as a work of art that emerges from the poet’s consciousness and manifests within the space of imagination and perception.
Poetic vision arises from a unique lived experience, fully internalized by the poetic self in all its details. Each poet’s vision is distinguished by a particular quality conveyed through language that reflects individual identity. The poet does not impose rigid control over form; rather, the poem develops organically according to the logical progression and dramatic coherence of its content. Even when poets address the same subject, each imbues it with a distinctive tone shaped by personal experience. While ideas may be shared, their artistic embodiment renders them unique to each author, forming an individual aesthetic system.
Content plays a primary role in shaping form, alongside personal factors related to the poet’s individuality and their engagement with the poetic conventions of their time. Here, “content” refers to the combination of subject matter and the emotional state surrounding it. Semantic and emotional variations are evident when comparing different poetic works. This raises a fundamental question: how does poetic language itself differ in formulation, structure, and harmony?
Research Methods and Objectives
This study adopts a descriptive-analytical method and arrives at several significant conclusions. Most notably, Lutfi Zaghloul’s poetry presents a wide range of themes that reflect the suffering of the Palestinian people and their shared human experience, with the homeland serving as a central pillar of his poetic production. Zaghloul conveys his profound love for his country by portraying the pain caused by occupation and continuous adversity, transforming his poems into expressions of loss and fragmentation.
In addition, his poetry addresses themes of love and womanhood, through which he articulates passion, desire, and the importance of emotional connection in human relationships. This deepens the bond between poet and reader and reflects the poet’s comprehensive human experience. Social and cultural themes are also embedded in Zaghloul’s poetic language, as he draws upon religious and historical heritage to create rich and evocative imagery. Through the use of historical and religious symbols, he intensifies the emotional impact of his poems and conveys the suffering and aspirations of the Palestinian people, allowing his poetry to embody identity and belonging.
This dynamic is most evident in his stylistic approach, which combines classical and modern techniques, demonstrating a strong interaction between form and content. The emotional depth of his poetry enhances the reader’s experience and draws attention to the profound meanings embedded within his poetic texts.
Research Findings and Discussion
The poet successfully employs religious and historical heritage in its various dimensions to serve multiple purposes, including inspiring enthusiasm, exposing the fragility of contemporary Arab and Islamic reality, and highlighting the spirit of rebellion and resistance, as well as the Palestinian people’s refusal to submit to Zionist colonialism. While clearly influenced by certain classical poets, Zaghloul is not merely an imitator; rather, he demonstrates innovation by integrating personal experience into inherited imagery, allowing him to convey his own emotions and ideas with originality.
His poetic imagery is marked by richness, diversity, and suggestiveness, enabling readers to appreciate its aesthetic value. These images transcend decorative function to become dynamic artistic constructions. Zaghloul succeeds in creating imagery that is both detailed and imaginative, revitalizing reality and extending it into the realm of creative imagination. Among the most prominent features of his poetry are personification, embodiment, and concretization, which he employs to shape and enrich his poetic images. Through these techniques, his poetry becomes a gallery of artistic expression that unites diverse rhetorical and poetic devices.
Moreover, Zaghloul effectively conveys his thoughts and emotions through sensory imagery, with particular emphasis on visual and auditory elements. By blending stillness and movement according to contextual demands, he creates a vivid poetic experience that enables readers to grasp ideas and emotions in a comprehensive and engaging manner. This fusion of imagery infuses his poetry with vitality and emotional intensity, enhancing its expressive and aesthetic impact.
Keywords
Main Subjects
The Sources and References
A: books
B: Articles
)