Semantic Exploration of Death

A Critical Analysis of Kamal’s ‘Ode to Death’ through Leech’s Seven Types of Meaning

Abstract

This research presents a semantic analysis of the poem “An Ode to Death” by Pakistani writer Kamal. By employing Leech’s framework of seven types of meaning—denotative, connotative, collocative, affective, stylistic, thematic, and reflective—the study examines the linguistic, cultural, historical, and religious layers of the poem. Kamal’s poem reflects a unique perspective on death, influenced by his identity as a Muslim and Pakistani. The poem explores the inevitability of death, human helplessness before it, and the equality it enforces across social divides. Through detailed semantic exploration, the paper reveals the poet’s reflections on life, death, the grave, and the Day of Judgment, capturing the transient nature of human existence and the eternal peace of the afterlife. The study provides an in-depth interpretation of Kamal’s poetic message, connecting his religious beliefs to universal themes of mortality, offering a comprehensive understanding of the poet’s attitude towards life and death. This research is an analytical contribution to the study of poetry through the lens of semantics, with a particular emphasis on the Islamic perspective on death.