Imtiaz Dharker: 'Tissue' Mr Bruff Analysis

Summary

In this video, the poem ‘Tissue’ by Imtiaz Dharker is analyzed through the lens of power and conflict. The speaker explores the fragility of human power, symbolized by paper, and contrasts it with the enduring power of nature. The poem’s symbolism is unpacked, including references to religion, government, and commerce, all of which illustrate mankind’s illusions of control. The analysis also considers how the poem reflects the causes of conflict, such as fundamentalism and the divisions created by political, religious, and economic power. The video offers insights into the complex metaphors and structure of the poem.

Takeaways

• 😀 *Tissue* is one of the most complex poems in the *Power and Conflict* cluster, filled with symbolic meaning and multiple interpretations.
• 😀 The poem is often analyzed through two main lenses: power and conflict, with a focus on how paper symbolizes fragile human power and the forces that drive conflict.
• 😀 The title *Tissue* refers to both thin paper and human tissue, drawing attention to the fragility of human existence and control.
• 😀 The poem critiques human power, highlighting how mankind's creations, like maps, buildings, and receipts, represent control but are ultimately fragile and temporary.
• 😀 The use of light in the poem, referencing both religious and natural symbolism, suggests the power of God and nature as more enduring than human-made power.
• 😀 Enjambment and free verse in the poem undermine the idea of human control, reflecting how structures and power dynamics are not as controlled as we believe.
• 😀 The reference to the *Koran* and the act of writing in religious books serves as a metaphor for the fragility of religious and historical power.
• 😀 The poem suggests that human conflict arises from our tendency to elevate fragile systems (like religion, politics, and economics) to positions of power, leading to division and strife.
• 😀 *Tissue* also explores the causes of fundamentalism and terrorism, suggesting that the divisions created by religion, borders, and economic systems can fuel global conflict.
• 😀 Ultimately, the poem encourages reflection on the fragility of human-made structures and challenges us to recognize the enduring power of nature and the futility of human attempts at control.

Q & A

What is the central metaphor of the poem *Tissue* by Imtiaz Dharker?

The central metaphor of the poem *Tissue* is paper, which symbolizes the fragility of human power. The poem explores how human constructs like buildings, maps, and receipts, though perceived as powerful, are ultimately as fragile as paper.

How does the poet use the symbolism of 'light' in the poem?

The poet uses 'light' as a symbol of both religious and natural power. In religious texts like the Bible and the Koran, light represents the divine or God, suggesting that God's power can 'alter things.' Throughout the poem, light also symbolizes nature, which overpowers human-made structures.

What poetic technique is used in the first stanza to emphasize the fragility of human constructs?

Enjambment is used in the first stanza to create a flowing, disjointed structure that reflects the fragility and lack of control of human-made constructs. The sentences flow over the lines and stanzas, suggesting that human power lacks order and stability.

What is the significance of the title 'Tissue'?

The title 'Tissue' is significant because it has a double meaning. It refers both to thin paper, which symbolizes human fragility, and to human tissue, which emphasizes the inherent vulnerability of mankind. The dual meaning reinforces the central theme of fragility.

How does the poem depict the conflict between human power and nature?

The poem depicts the conflict by illustrating how human power, symbolized by paper, is overpowered by nature. For example, 'the sun shines through maps' and 'daylight breaks through capitals and monoliths' to show how nature's forces are permanent and overpower human constructions.

What does the reference to 'maps' symbolize in the poem?

The reference to 'maps' symbolizes human attempts to divide and control the natural world. Maps create artificial boundaries, representing mankind's desire to exert power over nature and to segregate land, cultures, and peoples.

Why does the poet mention the Koran and religious books in the poem?

The mention of the Koran and religious books serves to highlight the power of religion as a human construct. These books, like paper, are fragile, but they hold immense symbolic power. The reference also connects the theme of human fragility with religious power.

What role does the idea of 'transparency' play in the poem?

The concept of 'transparency' plays a dual role in the poem. Literally, it describes the thin, transparent paper. Figuratively, it suggests honesty and clarity. The repetition of 'transparent' may be a critique of human power, urging those in power to be clear and honest.

How does the poem relate to other works like *Ozymandias* and *The Prelude*?

Like *Ozymandias* and *The Prelude*, *Tissue* explores the theme of the fragility of human power. In *Ozymandias*, the remnants of a grand statue symbolize the decay of human pride and power. Similarly, in *Tissue*, human power is fragile and transient, overshadowed by the permanence of nature.

What is the poem's view on the causes of conflict in the world?

The poem suggests that human-made constructs like religion, political systems, and economic power cause conflict. These systems, represented by fragile objects like paper and receipts, divide and control people, leading to tensions and strife. The poem critiques mankind's failure to recognize the fragility of these systems.