Blessing Objectives: By the end of today’s lesson you will be able: By Imtiaz Dharker Objectives: By the end of today’s lesson you will be able: Identify and understand the imagery in the poem ‘Blessing’ Make notes in the form of a Symbolic Story.

Context Born in Pakistan, Imtiaz Dharker grew up a Muslim/Calvinist in a Lahori household in Glasgow and eloped with a Hindu Indian to live in Mumbai. She is now making a new life between India, London and Wales. She is an accomplished artist and documentary film-maker, and all her books – all published by Bloodaxe – Postcards from god (including Purdah), I Speak for the Devil and The terrorist at my table, include her own drawings.

Dharavi, in the city of Mumbai, is the largest shanty town in Asia with almost 1 million inhabitants In November 2006 it was estimated that there was only one toilet per 1,440 residents Therefore most residents use the canals for defecating and for drinking water

Blessing noun a short prayer of thanks the formal act of approving; "he gave the project his blessing” a desirable state; "enjoy the blessings of peace“

In a village during a drought, a water pipe bursts and the people rush to collect it, play in it and celebrate the value of water in such times.

Symbolic Story: I will read the poem to you (slowly). You need to draw the images or take notes (not writing) in a way that will allow you to recite the poem back to me; Make notes using only pictures or symbols, no words Obviously you need to listen carefully so no talking Your finished work should allow you to recite a version of the poem as close the original as possible.

Blessing - Imtiaz Dharker Words with religious connotations Blessing - Imtiaz Dharker The skin cracks like a pod. There never is enough water. Imagine the drip of it, the small splash, echo in a tin mug, the voice of a kindly god. Sometimes, the sudden rush of fortune. The municipal pipe bursts, silver crashes to the ground and the flow has found a roar of tongues. From the huts, a congregation: every man woman child for streets around butts in, with pots, brass, copper, aluminium, plastic buckets, frantic hands, Simile onomatopoeia Alliteration: like the sound of water Metaphor The act of giving to beggars, real value Pace picks up as the water begins to flow Commas break up the sentences, making it actually flow Pun All these implements reflect poverty

Enjambment reflecting excitement innocence and naked children screaming in the liquid sun, their highlights polished to perfection, flashing light, as the blessing sings over their small bones. Unusual adjective Alliteration Third person omniscient narrator – allows reader to appreciate the wider effect of a drought

Imagery Simile = “The skin cracks like a pod” Metaphor • “the voice of a kindly god” (the sound of water) • “silver crashes to the ground” • “the liquid sun” • “as the blessing sings” Narrator Third person omniscient narrator – allows reader to appreciate the wider effect of a drought Alliteration • “small splash” (“s” sound like the splash of water) •“polished to perfection”

Themes/Interpretation What does Dharker say the poem is not about? What is the main theme of the poem, according to Dharker?

Tone Ideas: Attitudes: Feelings: In a society where water is sometimes scarce it becomes the most precious commodity (water = “silver”) During a drought a sudden supply of water is cause for major celebration Attitudes: There is no sense of recrimination about the lack of water, only joy when it finally arrives Self-preservation (“every man woman child … butts in”) Feelings: Hope / desperation (“Imagine the drip of it”) Joy / excitement (“roar of tongues”, “naked children / screaming in the liquid sun”) Relief (“as the blessing sings / over their small bones”)

Interpretation (the theme of the poem) Why is the poem called ‘Blessing?’ Language (how the poem is told eg. register, tense, poetic voice, 1st or 3rd person) The poetic voice is a third person omniscient narrator. What is the effect of this?

Imagery (the pictures created in the reader’s mind eg Imagery (the pictures created in the reader’s mind eg. simile, metaphor, personification, symbols) What is the effect of the metaphor, ‘the voice of a kindly god?’ Structure (how the poem is put together eg. assonance, alliteration, enjambment, rhyme, rhythm) What is the effect of the alliteration, ‘small splash’ and ‘polished to perfection’

Tone/Mood (the attitude of the writer towards the subject and the effect of this on the reader) Do you think the author feels angry about the level of poverty in Dharavi?