Blessing Flashcards
(12 cards)
Poet
Imtimiaz Dharker
Summary
This poem illustrates a scene in India, of which a poor community rejoices when a water pipe bursts and people rush to collect the water that flows out;
it represents how precious water is to them.
(Suffering of people in deprived areas of th world (like WP but in a differerent context))
Structure and Form
- FREEVERSE poem
lack of regular structure which could convey the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the people’s lives in the village - IRREGULAR STANZAS and LACK OF CONSISTENT RHYME SCHEME
could reflect the fragility and inconsistency of their lives as well as reflecting the SCARCITY of water and HOPE
What’s the address
It is in the THIRD PERSON which creates an observational and descriptive account, as well as changing the address
to include the READER to evoke strong emotions.
‘The skin cracks like a pod’
- No personal pronoun, unified like a community
- Senses are evoked, ‘cracks’ is an ONOMATOPOEIA. This includes the reader, allowing them to feel the painful and vivid images.
The SIMILE exaggerates the dryness and malnutrition of both children and adult.
- NaturaL IMAGERY conveys fragility instead of growth, conveying physical pain and suffering, creating a serious TONE.
REPETITION of PLOSIVE sounds mimics the dry and harsh landscape.
The TWO LINE STANZA and SHORT SENTENCES could reflect the scarcity of water, deprivation and poverty.
‘Imagine the drip of it’
IMPERATIVE, puts the reader in the position of people in the village, and makes them EMPATHISE with the feelings of those suffering from dehydration.
‘Sudden rush of fortune’
- ENJAMBMENT of sudden rush to fortune, makes the line stand out, wanting the READER to visualise the desperation for water, that its going to end as quickly as it comes.
The CAESURA could suggest the anticipation of the burst of water.
- Water is seen as precious, their wealth and currency. HYPERBOLE suggests water is seen as costly and a valuable resource, emphasising the significance of the CAESURA, further enabling the reader to be put in the position of the people.
‘Silver’
- Water is described as silver, not the highest level of wealth, suggesting what their water is not going to stay.
‘A roar of tongues’
- People panicking due to the sudden rush of water, CONNOTES animals, which HIGHLIGHTS their desperation.
- Portrays excitement, suggests it is not often they get water.
‘Frantic hands and naked children’
- Expresses vulnerability and innocence causing the READER to feel sympathy.
Emphasises the desperation and hysteria upon receiving the blessing water.
- The STANZA length and use of ENJAMBMENT could convey the fast movement pf people and water, reminding the reader of the suffering, poverty and fragility.
-This is further strengthened by the RHYME of ‘ground’ and ‘found’ conveying the RHYTHM go flowing water.
‘Liquid sun’
- METAPHOR creates a symbol of positivity and happiness, symbolising spirituality and a more hopeful future.
Glowing IMAGERY suggests beauty and renewal, water’s scarcity provides a temporary relief.
- Links back to the heat and dryness; suggests a need for water.
‘Over their small bones’
- Illustrates how water is a blessing
- Small bones stresses the notion they are undernourished, HIGHLIGHTING poverty, the need for water to grow.
It emphasises the fact that even if the community got the blessing of water they still need much more, but if it runs out the problem runs deeper.
