Question 1: Briefly explain the context of 'Tissue' within the Power and Conflict anthology. What do you think the poet is trying to convey about human life and material objects?

Answer: The poem reflects on the fragility and impermanence of human life and material things, emphasizing their vulnerability and the importance of understanding their transient nature.

Question 1: Line 1: "Paper thins and opens / like the skin of a wound." What does this metaphor suggest about the nature of paper and its connection to human vulnerability?

Answer: The metaphor compares paper to skin and wounds, highlighting fragility and the delicate, vulnerable aspects of both human life and material objects.

Question 2: Line 4: "The sun shines through the cracks in the wall." How does this imagery contribute to the poem's themes?

Answer: It symbolizes hope, light, and the possibility of change or renewal penetrating fragile structures, reinforcing themes of impermanence and resilience.

Question 3: Quote Explosion: 'Structure never meant to last / like the weight of history.' Analyze the significance of the keywords 'structure', 'never', and 'weight' in this quote.

Answer: 'Structure' emphasizes human-made things, 'never' underscores their ephemeral nature, and 'weight' suggests the burden of history and memory, highlighting the transient yet meaningful impact of human creations.

Question 1: Identify the metaphor in lines 10-11: "Maps too, in their faded colors, / show the traces of tears." What effect does this have?

Answer: The metaphor compares maps to tears, suggesting loss, history, and emotional depth, which evokes a sense of nostalgia and the passage of time.

Question 2: Find an example of personification in the poem and explain how it enhances the theme of fragility.

Answer: An example is 'the skin of a wound,' personifying paper as skin, which emphasizes vulnerability and humanizes the material objects, reinforcing their delicate nature.

Question 1: How does the poet convey the theme of power and its impermanence in the poem?

Answer: By illustrating how human-made structures and symbols of authority are fragile and temporary, Dharker emphasizes that power is transient and not enduring.

Question 2: Discuss how the poem explores the theme of memory and history.

Answer: The poem suggests that memories and history are embedded in fragile objects like tissue and paper, which can be easily erased, highlighting their fleeting nature.

Question 1: What are the similarities and differences in how 'Tissue' and 'Ozymandias' depict the concept of power?

Answer: Both poems suggest that human power is temporary; 'Ozymandias' through the ruined statue, and 'Tissue' through fragile paper and structures. However, 'Ozymandias' emphasizes the arrogance of power, while 'Tissue' reflects on the delicate, everyday aspects of human existence.

Question 1: Plan an analytical paragraph discussing how the poem's structure and language devices develop the theme of impermanence.

Answer: The paragraph should include points about the poem's free verse structure, the use of metaphors like 'skin of a wound,' and imagery such as 'cracks in the wall,' to illustrate fragility. It should also analyze how these elements evoke reflection on the transient nature of human life and material objects, encouraging the reader to consider what is truly lasting.