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410

7 Dec 2025

2 pages

Comprehensive Tissue Poem Annotations

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Mia grace Emmett

@miaemmett_x

Imtiaz Dharker's poem "Tissue" explores how fragile paper can represent... Show more

context =
Sheisacontempory poet who was bom in pakistan
But grew up in sccomand
Deals with thomes of identity.
uses muticutune Experiences i

Understanding "Tissue" - The Power of Fragility

Ever noticed how tissue paper lets light shine through? Dharker uses this simple observation to explore massive themes about truth, power, and human existence. The poem begins with paper that's been worn thin by age and touching - think of those well-used textbooks where pages have become almost transparent.

The most powerful image comes from the back of the Koran, where someone has handwritten family histories - births, deaths, and life stories. This isn't just about religion; it's about how we record what matters most. These sepia-dated records show how our entire identity can exist on something as fragile as paper.

Dharker then shifts to architecture, imagining buildings made entirely of transparent paper rather than solid brick or stone. She suggests we should "let the daylight break through" our structures, challenging the monuments that pride creates. The poem argues that permanence might not be as valuable as we think.

Key insight: The poem uses paper's fragility to question why we build things meant to last forever when life itself is temporary.

context =
Sheisacontempory poet who was bom in pakistan
But grew up in sccomand
Deals with thomes of identity.
uses muticutune Experiences i

Maps, Money and Modern Life

The second part of "Tissue" gets even more relevant to your daily life. Dharker talks about how maps show borderlines that seem permanent but are actually just marks on paper. When sunlight shines through them, these supposedly important boundaries look rather silly, don't they?

Then comes the really clever bit about grocery shop receipts - those "fine slips" that show "how much was sold and what was paid by credit card." She suggests these scraps of paper might actually control our lives more than we realise. It's a brilliant observation about how money and consumerism shape everything we do.

The poem's final image is striking: "might fly our lives like paper kites." This suggests we're not really in control - external forces are pulling our strings. Yet there's something almost playful about kites, hinting that maybe this lack of control isn't entirely negative.

Remember: Dharker uses everyday objects (receipts, maps) to explore huge themes about power and control in modern society.



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THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

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English Literature

410

7 Dec 2025

2 pages

Comprehensive Tissue Poem Annotations

user profile picture

Mia grace Emmett

@miaemmett_x

Imtiaz Dharker's poem "Tissue" explores how fragile paper can represent the delicate nature of human life and society. Through vivid imagery of thin paper, maps, and religious texts, she challenges our obsession with permanent structures and power.

context =
Sheisacontempory poet who was bom in pakistan
But grew up in sccomand
Deals with thomes of identity.
uses muticutune Experiences i

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Understanding "Tissue" - The Power of Fragility

Ever noticed how tissue paper lets light shine through? Dharker uses this simple observation to explore massive themes about truth, power, and human existence. The poem begins with paper that's been worn thin by age and touching - think of those well-used textbooks where pages have become almost transparent.

The most powerful image comes from the back of the Koran, where someone has handwritten family histories - births, deaths, and life stories. This isn't just about religion; it's about how we record what matters most. These sepia-dated records show how our entire identity can exist on something as fragile as paper.

Dharker then shifts to architecture, imagining buildings made entirely of transparent paper rather than solid brick or stone. She suggests we should "let the daylight break through" our structures, challenging the monuments that pride creates. The poem argues that permanence might not be as valuable as we think.

Key insight: The poem uses paper's fragility to question why we build things meant to last forever when life itself is temporary.

context =
Sheisacontempory poet who was bom in pakistan
But grew up in sccomand
Deals with thomes of identity.
uses muticutune Experiences i

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Maps, Money and Modern Life

The second part of "Tissue" gets even more relevant to your daily life. Dharker talks about how maps show borderlines that seem permanent but are actually just marks on paper. When sunlight shines through them, these supposedly important boundaries look rather silly, don't they?

Then comes the really clever bit about grocery shop receipts - those "fine slips" that show "how much was sold and what was paid by credit card." She suggests these scraps of paper might actually control our lives more than we realise. It's a brilliant observation about how money and consumerism shape everything we do.

The poem's final image is striking: "might fly our lives like paper kites." This suggests we're not really in control - external forces are pulling our strings. Yet there's something almost playful about kites, hinting that maybe this lack of control isn't entirely negative.

Remember: Dharker uses everyday objects (receipts, maps) to explore huge themes about power and control in modern society.

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

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Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

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Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

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iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user