Tissue Flashcards
Context
Conflict is now caused by a range of sources; war, terrorism, politics, money, identity and religion. Humans think they are in control but they must learn that they are insignificant in the grand scheme of life. All should question their attitudes, beliefs and opinions. What are they founded on and are they reasonable.
Plot
The poem covers many ideas that are viewed as true and constant. Religious books, maps, buildings and borders are just some things that people depend on to define themselves. Everything is made out of a material that can eventually deteriorate and become worth nothing in the eyes of men
Form
On going monologue
Enjambment
Internal rhyme
Structure
9 4 line and 1 1 line stanza
Tone
Detached/nonchalant
Cynical
Fear
Frustration
Disgust
Themes
Power of humans
Power of memory
Identity
Education
Key Quote-“Paper that lets the light shine through, this
is what could alter things. Paper thinned by age or touching”
The paper is an extended metaphor for our life. The light shining through evokes an image of knowledge and positivity. It could also relate to God and how paper can be used for important things such as religion. Age and touching means that overtime, the meanings can become weakened or changed. It could also represent us as humans as the thin paper represents old age. Things can be altered as paper can change peoples lives ad they grow older and wiser. This can also refer to how things like money that causes a lot of problems because paper is what “alters things”.
Key Quote-“The back of the Koran where a hand has written in the names and histories, who was born to whom”
The indefinite article “a” emphasises that the person writing the information is not as important as the paper that stands the test of time (identities). The use of the definite article “the” in reference to the “Koran” shows the lasting power of the books. It also entails the records of peoples lives long after they’re gone which again shows how power stands the test of time (identities). It also may refer to holy book prophesy; our future has been written for us and we have no control or power over this world. There is a shift in focus between power of God and power of man and this refers to how insignificant we are in the grand scheme of things.
Key Quote-“Maps too. The sun shines through their borderlines “
The sun shining can represent hope and how transparent artificial things can become rather than the permanent object we see them to be. It can also show how transparent society could be if we remove all borders between ourselves as humans and become united as one. Maps are a symbol of mankind; they mark out natural barriers and in doing so, create borders that divide humans. The fact that the sun shines through the map shows that nature overpowers mankind. Alternatively, the flimsy map shows countries and places that are the root of billions of identities; impossible without the use of paper.
Can compare to….
Ozymandias-Power of humans vs Power of nature
London-Critical of human desire for power
The emigree- Abuse of power
