Structure and Language in "Tissue" by Imtiaz Dharker
This page provides an in-depth analysis of the structure and language in the power and conflict poem "Tissue" by Imtiaz Dharker. The poem is rich in symbolism and explores themes of impermanence, identity, and the power of paper.
The poem's structure mirrors its content, with layers of meaning built up through repetition and imagery. Dharker uses various types of tissue as metaphors throughout the poem, creating a complex web of associations.
Highlight: The repetition of "paper" throughout the poem reinforces the central theme and creates a sense of layering, mirroring the physical properties of tissue.
The language used in the poem is carefully crafted to emphasize light and transparency. Dharker employs words like "luminous" and phrases such as "let the daylight break through" to create a sense of fragility and impermanence.
Vocabulary: Luminous - giving off light; bright or shining
The poem draws parallels between the work of poets and architects. Both are portrayed as creators who build layers of meaning, whether through words or physical structures.
Quote: "Work of poet mirrors the work of the architect - poet builds layers of words and meanings, where an architect designs"
Dharker uses gentle verbs and repetition to emphasize the importance of paper in recording human history. The poem describes pages being "smoothed and stroked and turned," suggesting a reverence for the information contained within.
Example: The poem references the Koran, describing how hands have written names and histories in its pages, emphasizing the role of paper in preserving family histories and cultural heritage.
The poem also explores the concept of impermanence through the metaphor of paper buildings. It suggests that if structures were made of paper, people would be more aware of their temporary nature.
Definition: Sepia - a reddish-brown color associated with old photographs, used in the poem to evoke a sense of history and nostalgia
The final stanza introduces the image of paper kites, using a simile to compare our lives to these delicate objects. This reinforces the theme of impermanence and suggests that our existence is as fragile and subject to external forces as a paper kite in the wind.
Highlight: The poem's structure and language work together to create a powerful meditation on the role of paper in human life, from the sacred to the mundane, and its ability to both record and shape our experiences.
