Honour Killing

Question 1

Honour Killing

Answer 1

Interp 1: in relation to contemporary news story of family killings to maintain honour. Rejection of these cultures that formerly held her back

Interp 2: Honour killing is symbolic of her removal of her former identity. She has a duty to free herself from her oppressive identity.

Question 2

At last…

Answer 2

ADVERBIAL shows a struggle over time. She is now free and has achieved her long struggle.

Question 3

the black coat of a country
that I swore for years was mine

Answer 3

Universal idea of multiple faiths restricting her. Black coat shrouds her real self - In relation to a Burka.
“black “ represents impenetrable darkness of her time during her internal conflict. Void of internal meaning

“swore” PAST VERB shows complete disowning of nation and culture. Strong, absolute verb shows how vast her change in character has become.

Question 4

these lacy things
that feed dictator dreams

Answer 4

“feed” metaphorically she had to give her true self up to others. Their desires weakened and removed who she really was.
“Dictator” reveals oppressiveness faced by women in her country

Question 5

the mangulsutra and the rings

Answer 5

Signs of ownership. She wants to remove this objectification.

Question 6

tin cup of needs
that beggared me

Answer 6

IMAGERY of beggar. She never received emotional love and was discarded.

Question 7

I’m taking off this skin…the womb

Answer 7

Metaphoric removal of race and femininity. Dharker is resolutely removing every aspect of her former self.

Question 8

let’s see…/ let’s see…/
what am I ….

making
crafting,
plotting
at my new geography

Answer 8

Youthful excitement conveyed “lets see”.

“crafting”, “plotting” ACTION verbs show new responsiveness to her life now that she is free. TRICOLON

“geography” new whole world is available to her now.

Question 9

Structure 1

Answer 9

SYNTACTIC PARALLELISM - steady removal of all her parts of her former-self that had suppressed her freedom.

The first 3 stanzas clothing, the last her physical identity (sex, race)

Question 10

Structure 2

Answer 10

ENJAMBMENT throughout each stanza.
Reflects the multitude of interlinking effects/causes of her internal conflict.
Her life and thoughts were chaotic during her internal conflict

Reveal her healing is a continual process