Tissue + Ozymandias

Question 1

Point 1

Answer 1

Both poems present the idea that political power is unstable (present a negative attitude towards power / negative impact of power)

Question 2

Point 2

Answer 2

Both poems present the idea that intellectual power is more stable (positive attidude/impact)

Question 3

Tissue evidence 1

Answer 3

“If buildings were paper…easily they fall away on a sigh”

Question 4

Tissue analysis 1

Answer 4

Here, ‘buildings’ could be interpreted to be a representation of political institutions, which are presented to be quite fragile. The fact that they can be made to ‘fall’ by a ‘sigh’ (a gentle exhalation that is not very powerful) implies the buildings, and the institutions they represent, were weak and unstable. This is further exaggerated by the soft ‘f’ sounds in this stanza that build a sense of fragility that causes power to constantly ‘shift’. The description of the ‘wind’ causing the ‘sigh’ implies this is a natural and frequent occurrence, as wind changes direction often. By presenting political power as unstable, Dharker’s speaker could be arguing that political institutions should not overestimate their power.

Question 5

Ozymandias evidence 1

Answer 5

“Round the decay of that colossal wreck”

Question 6

Ozymandias evidence 1

Answer 6

The statue in Ozymandias represents the continuation of Ozymandias’s power. The use of the word ‘decay’ to describe it indicates his power has been lost for a long time as ‘decay’ is a long process. The natural connotations of ‘decay’ presents power as being inevitably transient, as it will naturally be lost over time. The word ‘round’ could be suggesting a cyclical aspect of empires and power, implying a natural, continual shifting of power. However, the jarring sounds in ‘colossal wreck’ suggest this is a harsh reality, and that it possibly involves conflict. Through doing this, the narrator shows that although the loss of power may take time and involve destruction, it is inevitable and the institutions holding the power will eventually collapse.

Question 7

Tissue evidence 2

Answer 7

“well-used books…written in the names and histories”
“pages smoothed and stroked and turned transparent with attention”

Question 8

Tissue analysis 2

Answer 8

The ‘well-used books’ containing ‘names and histories’ create legacy for people in the past. Dharker’s narrator shows how people can survive through books, although their power is gone, their knowledge can continue to be passed on.
The imagery of pages that are ‘smoothed and stroked’ clearly shows the care and love for the knowledge they provide. They are described to turn “transparent with attention”, which implies they provide a closer sense of reality with more use, as transparent has connotations of clarity. Through presenting the use of these books in this way, Dharker’s illustrates that knowledge is important and much more long-lasting as it improves over time, and the narrator encourages listener to consider the increase stability in this intellectual power compared to political.

Question 9

Ozymandias evidence 2

Answer 9

“half-sunk”
“Passions…survive”
“sculptor”
“Mocked

Question 10

Ozymandias analysis 2

Answer 10

In Ozymandias, the statue described is ‘half-sunk’, indicating the power has been lost, however, it still provides information and creates a legacy for the ruler. Although the ruler no longer has power, the art immortalises his history. It is significant, however, that it is the ‘sculptor’ that controls which ‘passions…survive’. His hand is said to have ‘mocked them’. The word ‘mocked’, meaning to mimic scornfully, could indicate the sculptor was not fully accurate with his representation of Ozymandias. The artist has the greater impact on the legacy as the artist chooses how to depict the ruler, and chooses how the world will understand the ruler. In writing this poem, Shelley demonstrates the impact of art and the intellectual power of the artist, and suggests this is more influential and long-lasting than political power, as it leaves a legacy behind.