The right word

Mother Civilian Fellow soldier Wounded person government

Set against the sensitive post-9/11 backdrop of political and religious tensions, ‘The Right Word’ seems at first to contradict this description. The use of questions and alternative ways of describing someone suggests a poem full of doubt, where nothing can be pinned down with certainty. Confusion, fear and distrust prevail. However, the poem dramatises the search to know one’s own mind, the process of moving from uncertainty to certainty. It is when it moves from considering the problem at the political level (‘one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom-fighter’) to the personal (‘I saw his face’) that the doubt and fear is removed.

Key vocabulary Martyr Freedom fighter Guerrilla militant People who fight against an oppressive or unfair government Someone who suffers due to their religion/beliefs Surprise/unexpected tactics, Often against a larger army People who aggressively defend and fight for a cause/beliefs

verbs Lurking taking (shelter) Waiting Waving watchful Defying standing eating steps What is her impression of this person from their actions?

What does Dharker’s rhetorical question mean when she describes words as ‘no more than wavering flags’? Think about the role of a flag, and the role of a name/term of address.

Something changes in the penultimate stanza. What change takes place? Why is this change a positive thing?

1.The poet suggests that the only way to put a stop to fear and violence is to treat people with love and friendship. 2.The poem shows that conflict and violence are based on fear and prejudice. 3.The poem suggests that faith in God can lead us towards peace. 4.When we respect our enemies they will treat us with respect too. 5.A key idea in the poem is that the word we use to label a person can blind us to the truth about them.

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