Strangers Forever Flashcards
(17 cards)
What does the quote ‘at night we are all strangers, even to ourselves’ imply?
It suggests that our self-perception changes in different contexts, particularly at night.
Who is Amin Kassam?
A widely published poet from East Africa, of Indian descent, raised as Muslim.
What themes are prevalent in Kassam’s poetry?
Social relationships and interpersonal dynamics.
What is the primary metaphor used in ‘Strangers Forever’?
A train journey representing life and the uncertainty of human existence.
What literary device is employed in the line ‘who travel without arriving’?
It emphasizes the idea of perpetual journey and uncertainty.
How does the structure of the poem contribute to its meaning?
The free verse and alternating line lengths mimic the movement of a train and create rhythm.
What does the rhetorical question in line 10 signify?
It reflects the speaker’s contemplation about understanding others’ hidden thoughts.
What does ‘one small part that remains your own’ refer to?
It indicates the part of ourselves that is inaccessible to others and even to ourselves.
Fill in the blank: The title ‘Forever Strangers’ is inverted at the end of the poem, indicating _______.
finality.
What emotional tone is conveyed in the poem?
Sadness and loss.
True or False: The poem suggests that we can fully know ourselves and others.
False.
What does the use of pronouns in the poem create?
A sense of inclusivity and connection with the reader.
What does the speaker’s shift from ‘we’ to ‘you’ signify?
A more personal and intimate focus on the individual reader’s experience.
What does the indentation in the poem visually illustrate?
The sense of isolation and separation from others.
What does the poet suggest about the nature of human connections?
They are fraught with miscommunication and a lack of complete understanding.
Fill in the blank: The speaker observes that we are all _______ on a metaphorical train journey.
strangers.
How does the poem address the concept of alienation?
By highlighting the inherent inability to fully connect with others.
