Tissue Flashcards
Context of Tissue
Most of Dharkers poetry concentrates on identity & home which is significant given her ability to reconcile her conflicting identities as well as dividing her time between Wales, India & London (she lived all over the place, and so has a mixture of different cultures/religions. This is why she despises the idea of a paper border (passports)
Tissue explores the source of fundamentalism (abuse of power) - the idea that humans dont have the right attitudes to life, we see it as permanent & as an opportunity to gain power.
Key quotes of Tissue
“Paper that lets the light shine through” and can “alter things” - portrays paper to be powerful & versatile. Paper is flimsy and physically vulnerable like humans.
“Fly our lives like paper kites” - metaphor, critisises the significance humanity places on money, and how we let it control our lives
Paper lets “daylight break through capitals and monoliths” - the overwhelming power of nature (daylight, a concept people cannot control)
“maps” “sun shines through their borderlines” power of nature. Implies humans need guidance
“Turned into your skin.” - short sentence as it’s own stanza to cement the message of the poem - LIFE IS FRAGILE, temporary, but can be utilised for great things
Form of Tissue
Poem is an Allegory - has a hidden meaning of revealing the transience of life. Urging readers to break free from materialistic life & focus on the bigger picture.
Structure of Tissue
Whole poem is written in quatrains (4 lines) - consistent lengths to show how restrictive human power & control can be
Final line is a single line to isolate/highlight the overarching message of the poem - breaking free from the controlling structure of the rest of the poem, urging readers to do same (from the control of human power)
Enjambment unifies lines showing the poets view that humans should be united as one. Flowing of lines into another, represents freedom
No rhythm - freedom, no restrictions. Almost as if breaking away from traditional poem rhythm, reflecting how humans too should break away from materialistic life.
