# CVII explained — The Luzumiyat

> Chapter companion for The Luzumiyat by Abu al-ʻAlaʼ al-Maʻarri.

## What happens

The chapter reflects on the cyclical nature of hatred passed from father to son, portraying all men as sparks from the same log of evil, and expresses a wish for the entire race to be extinguished.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Resilience

The chapter depicts the perpetuation of hatred and evil across generations, highlighting the suffering inherent in human existence.

### Critique of Power and Hypocrisy

The portrayal of all men as 'sparks of the log of evil' serves as a critique of humanity's moral failings and the hypocrisy of claiming virtue.

## Key lines

> And in the labyrinth both son and sire Awhile will fan and fuel hatred’s fire;

Both father and son, lost in a maze, will for a time stoke the flames of hatred.

_This line illustrates the generational transmission of enmity and conflict._

> Sparks of the log of evil are all men Allwhere⁠—extinguished be the race entire!

All people everywhere are merely sparks from the same log of evil; may the whole human race be put out!

_The poet condemns all of humanity as inherently evil and wishes for its annihilation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_luzumiyat_se/chapters/cvii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_luzumiyat_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_luzumiyat_se/chapters