blessing Flashcards
Q: What is the main theme of Blessing?
A: The poem explores themes of deprivation, poverty, hope, religion, and the significance of water as a life-giving force.
Q: What is the structure of the poem?
A: The poem consists of four stanzas of varying lengths, with short stanzas reflecting water scarcity and longer ones mirroring abundance when the pipe bursts.
Q: How does Dharker establish the theme of deprivation at the start of the poem?
A: The poem begins with the image “The skin cracks like a pod,” using a simile to emphasize the harsh, dry conditions and lack of water.
Q: How does the poem use religious imagery?
A: The phrase “the voice of a kindly god” personifies water as divine, and the word “blessing” reinforces the spiritual significance of water.
Q: What is the significance of the burst water pipe?
A: The municipal pipe bursting represents a rare moment of abundance, and the community rushes to collect water, highlighting their desperation.
Q: How does Dharker use sound imagery in the poem?
A: Words like “drip,” “splash,” and “roar of tongues” use onomatopoeia to create an auditory experience of water scarcity and abundance.
Q: What does the phrase “silver crashes to the ground” suggest?
A: The metaphor compares water to something precious like silver, emphasizing its value in the community.
Q: How does the poem depict the community’s reaction to water?
A: People rush with “pots, brass, copper, aluminium,” showing their eagerness to collect as much water as possible, reinforcing the theme of scarcity.
Q: How does Dharker use enjambment in the poem?
A: Enjambment mimics the continuous flow of water and excitement of the people, reflecting movement and energy.
Q: What does the image of “naked children screaming in the liquid sun” convey?
A: It suggests both joy and vulnerability, as the children enjoy the water while their “small bones” hint at malnourishment and poverty.
Q: How does Blessing compare to Prayer Before Birth?
A: Both poems explore human suffering, but Blessing has a moment of hope and joy, whereas Prayer Before Birth presents a pessimistic view of life.
