Tissue

Question 1

“Paper lets the light shine through”

Answer 1

• it’s thin and fragile
• brings things out of the dark
• highlights our strengths and flaws

Question 2

“Maps too. The sun shines through their borderlines”

Answer 2

• control where we can and can’t go

- divide up the map -> like our divided society

Question 3

“Might fly our lives like paper kites”

Answer 3

• simile
• we are tied to our decisions
• a link that cannot sever
• the trail leads back to you
• paper controls our lives and we just let it

Question 4

“Raise a structure never meant to last”

Answer 4

• we are never meant to last as long as buildings
• human tissue is fragile
• we are not immortal

Question 5

“Paper smoothed and stroked and thinned to be transparent, turned into your skin”

Answer 5

• all of the connotations of paper tissue become connotations of humans
• we don’t last forever
• when we age we become fragile and vulnerable

Question 6

What are the key themes of Tissue?

Answer 6

• power of humans
• identity
• the fragility of nature
• the fragility of people

Question 7

What is Tissues about?

Answer 7

• an extended metaphor for life -> our journeys, money, home

- how paper may seem fragile and insignificant but is actually powerful and important

Question 8

Why may the message of Tissue now be ironic?

Answer 8

• we are moving away from paper and towards technology

- paper is becoming less significant

Question 9

Who is Imtiaz Dharker?

Answer 9

• she is a muslim poet

- the reference to the Koran is used to make the point that something so fragile can hold mighty and sacred texts

Question 10

What are the connotations of Paper?

Answer 10

• weak
• light
• fragile
• disposable
• insignificant

Question 11

What are the connotations of Human Tissue?

Answer 11

• heals itself
• grows
• valuable
• strong
• important

Question 12

What is the purpose of Tissue?

Answer 12

• to teach us that we are not immortal
• that humans and our power does not last for ever
• we are allowing ourselves to be controlled by our actions and decisions