Tissue - Imtiaz Dharker Flashcards
‘paper thinned by age’
verb thinned - paper is fragile, and must be taken great care of , it a resource that is very important to humans
‘smoothed and stroked and turned’
triplet of verbs emphasises everything that paper has had to withstand, suggesting that is it now weak however, it holds so much power
“Let the daylight break through capitals and monoliths”
verb - break shows that nature will always be more powerful than human governments and buildings, these things are just temporary compared to the sun which is eternal
‘paper that lets the light shine through this is what could alter things’
The noun ‘light’ connotes positivity and knowledge. It shows hope and redemption and without darkness there no light. The noun ‘paper’ is not completely transparent and meanings are sometimes unclear or unfinished. The personification of ‘lets’ that we acquire knowledge but the paper is a barrier to learning. The verb ‘shine’ evokes images of Jesus and Heaven is the clouds together with ‘paper’ is the clouds. This shows that ‘alter things’ means that paper can change lives.
‘on which sepia date’
The adjective ‘sepia’ suggest faded of yellowed with age. This implies that it is handed down and shows that paper outlives their creators. Even though the paper has faded the paper is still relevant and it means that the test of time has only just failed the paper. So many years after the creator has passes there dates and information about people are still handed down.
‘maps too.’ and ‘direction of the wind’
Both quotes connotes ideas of movement and direction. ‘Maps too’ shows that humans need to control and constrain the poem throughout uses contrasting themes of nature and humans lust of power. As well as the caesura raises ideas about separation which links to borders which stop the free movement of people.
context:
Imitaz herself was born in Pakistan and moved to Glasgow, in her works she brings up issue of religion and identity . She symbolises the layers of tissue to reflect her layered identity.
free verse
acts as natural speech, the author did not want to try and create a power imbalance between themselves and the reader, instead they wanted an equal relationship, so she could hare her message effectivley
