I need help coming up with a strong theme for my English class on the poem Blessing by 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,
and naked children
screaming in the liquid sun,
their highlights polished to perfection,
flashing light,
as the blessing sings
over their small bones.
What have you thought of already?
poemanalysis.com/imtiaz-dharker/blessing/
Read carefully. The blessing isn’t just having necessities. It’s focusing on the necessity (the blessing) of water.
Okay thanks
People living in poverty often find the necessities of life a blessing due to their suffering...
but I can't think of what to add for an extension
I get that but I don't know how to word it
Did you read the website I gave you above? There are plenty of ideas in there, plus you can also go to Google and search for poem Blessing by Dharker. There are some good analyses there.
But really, I think you can take your original sentence, but make it focus on the necessity of clean water. Isn't clean water the most basic of all the basic necessities?
To come up with a strong theme for the poem "Blessing" by Dharker, you can start by analyzing the main ideas and images presented in the poem. Here are some steps to help you identify potential themes:
1. Read and analyze the poem: Start by reading the poem carefully and paying attention to the language, imagery, and emotions conveyed. Take note of any recurring words or phrases, and try to understand the meaning behind them.
2. Identify the central message: Consider the overall message or main idea that the poet is conveying through the poem. In "Blessing," the focus is on the scarcity of water and the profound impact it has on the lives of those without access to it.
3. Explore related emotions and experiences: Reflect on the emotions and experiences described in the poem. The imagery of the water bursting forth from a municipal pipe and the excitement and desperation of the people collecting it evoke a sense of joy, hope, and survival amidst adversity.
4. Brainstorm possible themes: Based on your analysis, brainstorm potential themes that capture the essence of the poem. Some possible themes for "Blessing" could include:
- The transformative power of water: This theme explores how something as simple as water can bring immense joy and provide sustenance, emphasizing its significance and the vital role it plays in our lives.
- The resilience of the human spirit: This theme focuses on the ability of individuals to endure and find hope even in challenging circumstances. The poem depicts how the people overcome their hardships and come together to collect water, emphasizing their resilience and determination.
- The disparity between abundance and scarcity: This theme highlights the contrast between those who have access to abundant resources, such as water, and those who face scarcity. It calls attention to the unequal distribution of resources and the impact it has on various communities.
5. Choose a strong theme: Select the theme that you feel resonates most strongly with the poem and supports your interpretation. Consider the depth and complexity of the theme and how it connects with the imagery and emotions conveyed in the poem.
Remember, there can be multiple valid themes for a poem, so feel free to interpret and explore different possibilities. Once you have identified a theme, you can use it as a guiding concept to structure your analysis of the poem in your English class.