11.1.3

Religion & Conflict

Test yourself

Religious Imagery

Dharker uses light imagery to comment on the power of God and religion.

Illustrative background for Light metaphor Illustrative background for Light metaphor  ?? "content

Light metaphor

  • "Paper that lets the light / shine through, this / is what could alter things."
  • If the “light” is a metaphor for God, this could be read as a comment on the power of religion to change things.

Human Greed for Control

Dharker uses these techniques to comment on human greed for control and power:

Illustrative background for SimileIllustrative background for Simile ?? "content

Simile

  • "what was paid by credit card / might fly our lives like paper kites”.
  • This simile could suggest how humans are dominated and controlled by money.
  • The poet could be suggesting that humans have caused conflict by assigning significance to such things.
Illustrative background for ListingIllustrative background for Listing ?? "content

Listing

  • “the marks / that rivers make, roads, / railtracks, mountainfolds”.
  • This list highlights the idea that man is determined to control, dominate and make sense of nature.

Jump to other topics

1Ozymandias - Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822)

2London - William Blake (1757-1827)

3Storm on the Island - Seamus Heaney (1939-2013)

4Exposure - Wilfred Owen (1893-1918)

5War Photographer - Carol Ann Duffy (born 1955)

6My Last Duchess - Robert Browning (1812-1889)

7The Prelude - William Wordsworth (1770-1850)

8Charge of the Light Brigade - Alfred Tennyson

9Bayonet Charge - Ted Hughes (1930-1998)

10Poppies - Jane Weir (Born 1963)

11Tissue - Imtiaz Dharker (Born 1954)

12The Emigree - Carol Rumens (Born 1944)

13Kamikaze - Beatrice Garland (Born 1938)

14Checking Out Me History - John Agard (Born 1949)

15Remains - Simon Armitage (Born 1963)

16Grade 9 - Themes & Comparisons

16.1Grade 9 - Themes & Comparisons

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson