Summary
English Lit: AQA GCSE Poetry - Power & Conflict, topic 11.1.1
Summary of Tissue
Tissue is an impressionistic poem by Imtiaz Dharker that comments on the conflicts and troubles of the modern world.
Summary
- The speaker looks out at the modern world and makes many comparisons between what she sees and tissue.
Imtiaz Dharker
- Dharker was born in Pakistan and raised in Glasgow.
- She writes about issues such as terrorism, identity, freedom, and religion.
The poem
- “Tissue” is an impressionistic poem (using images and symbols to convey ideas rather than recreating physical reality) and is therefore full of symbolism.
- Some of Dharker’s concepts can be difficult to grasp and her poetry is open to multiple interpretations.
- The poem comes from her collection, “The Terrorist at my Table”, which explores the roots of terrorism and fundamentalism.
Key Ideas in Tissue
Many interpretations of the poem have been suggested. An overarching theme is that paper, or tissue, is a symbol for human life or power.
Importance of paper
- It explores the importance of paper in our lives (e.g. maps, money, recording history) but remarks how paper is ultimately fragile.
Nature of human power
- It explores the insignificance and ephemeral (short-lasting) nature of human power when compared to the power of nature.
- It encourages us not to hang on too tightly to power or control because, ultimately, nothing, including humans, are meant to last.
Cause of conflict
- There is a suggestion that humans cause their own conflict by assigning power to things that do not warrant it.
Paper symbolism
- “Turned into your skin”.
- Paper acting as a metaphor for human life is crystallised here.
Test yourself on Summary
Who wrote Tissue?
Which of these are true about the poem Tissue?
Which of these are true about Imtiaz Dharker?
What phrase strongly suggests that paper is a symbol for human life in Tissue?