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Re-read Presents from my Aunts in Pakistan - Edexcel - GCSE English Literature - Question 10 - 2017 - Paper 2
Question 10
Re-read Presents from my Aunts in Pakistan. Choose one other poem from the Time and Place anthology. Compare how different senses are used in the two poems. In you... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Re-read Presents from my Aunts in Pakistan - Edexcel - GCSE English Literature - Question 10 - 2017 - Paper 2
Step 1
Form and structure
Answer
In 'Presents from my Aunts in Pakistan', Moniza Alvi employs a free verse format that reflects the speaker's stream of consciousness, allowing the reader to experience her sensory memories vividly. The poem's stanza lengths vary, creating a rhythm that mirrors the chaotic interplay of her experiences between two cultures. Alvi describes specific colors and textures of the clothes she receives, using vivid imagery like 'peacock-blue' and 'candy-striped' to evoke visual sensations, while also incorporating tactile descriptions to deepen the reader's immersion.
In contrast, John Keats's 'To Autumn' features a more structured form, including consistent stanzas that evoke a sense of harmony and order, reflective of seasonal change. Keats uses rich sensory imagery, employing language that appeals to sight, sound, and smell, thereby enhancing the poem's emotional depth and appreciation for nature.
Step 2
Influence of Contexts
Answer
The contexts in which the two poems were written play a crucial role in shaping their thematic elements. Alvi's poetry emerges from her dual identity, articulating her experiences as a woman caught between British and Pakistani cultures. The sensory language reflects her complex feelings surrounding identity and belonging.
On the other hand, Keats's work, situated in the Romantic era, expresses a deep appreciation for nature and the passage of time. His sensory details serve to connect the reader to the beauty of the natural world, yet this connection also communicates a deeper emotional resonance with mortality and the fleeting moments of life.