Understanding the Poem 'Tissue' by Imtiaz Dharker
I can explain how Dharker presents her attitude towards power and conflict in 'Tissue'.
Understanding the Poem 'Tissue' by Imtiaz Dharker
I can explain how Dharker presents her attitude towards power and conflict in 'Tissue'.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- This poem is part of Dharker’s collection 'Terrorist at My Table' written at a time when her partner was terminally ill.
- The speaker in this poem uses tissue as an extended metaphor for life.
- Dharker uses the homonym "tissue" to draw parallels to the fragility of both paper and human life.
- Imtiaz Dharker was born in Pakistan but moved to Glasgow when she was under a year of age.
- Dharker turned down the Poet Laureate role in 2019 in order to maintain the personal nature of her work.
Keywords
Poet Laureate - an honorary position given by the monarch; the poet is tasked with writing poems about state occasions
Displacement - a situation where people are forced to leave the place they normally live
Connotations - the ideas and feelings a word evokes in addition to its literal meaning
Extended metaphor - a version of a metaphor that is developed throughout a piece of writing
Homonym - a word that is spelled and sounds the same as another but has a different meaning (e.g. bat)
Common misconception
There is a single, clear interpretation of 'Tissue'.
There are varied interpretations of the poem and - as long as they are supported by evidence - they are valid. Students may focus on the comparison of power to paper or on the similar fragility between paper and human life.
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Understanding the Poem 'Tissue' by Imtiaz Dharker, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Understanding the Poem 'Tissue' by Imtiaz Dharker, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
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Explore more key stage 4 english lessons from the Power and conflict poetry continued unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the poem 'Tissue' by Imtiaz Dharker which can be found in the AQA 'Power and Conflict' poetry anthology for GCSE.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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