tissue Flashcards
what is tissue about
Tissue paper is used as an extended metaphor for life to show that although fragile, humans have a large amount of power to change things
context on author
Dharker was born in Pakistan but grew up in Glasgow and describes herself as “Scottish, Pakistani, Muslim, Calvinist”. Most of her poetry concentrates on identity and home which is significant given her ability to reconcile her conflicting identities as well as dividing her time between Wales, India and London
significance of time it was written
poem comes from the 2006 collection “The terrorist at my table” which is focused on global politics, terrorism, extremism, religion and fundamentalism. Tissue is the first poem in the collection so acts as a preface to explore the source of fundamentalism (the abuse of power). She presents the idea that humans do not have the right attitude to life, we see it as permanent and an opportunity to gain power
structure
The whole poem is written in quatrains which provides a consistent structure to show how restrictive human power and control can be. The final line is only a single line to emphasise and isolate its meaning. This shows it breaking free from the controlling structure and implies that there is a need to break free from the control of human power
main idea 1
power of nature
shown through light
could also show power of religion
’ let the daylight break through capitals and monoliths’
metaphor shows overwhelming power of light
Light is used as a symbol of truth and enlightenment to show how the world should be viewed. This has religious ties as God is described in terms of light in both the Muslim and Christian holy books (this links to Dharker’s upbringing). The poem could be interpreted to also be a source of enlightenment to the listener of a new way of living in which God is able to permeate through life and materialism. There is no reference to a specific God in this poem which reflects Dharker’s exploration and criticism of fundamentalism in the collection.
main idea 2
‘if buildings were paper… they fall away on a sigh’
shows how physical/ material properties are temporary, society should stop placing such heavy emphasises on factors that are not important
Dharker sets out what she believes would make an ideal society. The metaphor of buildings being able to “fall away on a sigh” implies that buildings should be able to change and adapt easily. Here, buildings are a symbol of permanence that should be abolished. Dharker explicitly states that society should become more transparent and this is emphasised by the harsh alliterative consonants in “turned transparent
shows delicacy of life,
natures power is everlasting
main idea 3
fragility of life
’ and thinned to be transparent
turned into your skin’
The final line is left separate to make it clear to the listener that they are meant to consider the meaning of the poem in relation to their life.
skin= interconnectedness with everything surrounding us
pause= breaks structure to show the power of human =living power embedded within humans, not physical properties
