A Democratic Vision of Self in Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Wallace Steven's Poetry

Abstract

The purpose of this research paper is to explore the differences in a democratic vision of self in an Eastern Poet, Philosopher Allama Muhammad Iqbal and American Modern Poet, Wallace Stevens. These poets belonged to two cultural backgrounds yet they are contemporary as well. The researcher probes into the democratic vision of selves in the poetry of Allama Muhammad Iqbal with special reference to his book ‘Secret of the Self’ and from some of the selected works of Wallace Stevens that are relevant to the topic. An important aspect in relation to the qualitative research is to lay bare how human consciousness and imagination work in understanding and influencing the democratic vision of self. The object of the research is also that an individual self develops by the influence of community and divinity. The research shows how Iqbal and Stevens’ autonomies develop throughout their life span. These two epoch-making and influential poets mingle their visions of self with the universal love. The researcher, therefore, throws light on how these poets take up the common man’s vision of life to promote the lasting and universal message of love and peace for humanity. This is the essence of the message of two poets under study.