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The poem describes the poet's visit to India and the time she had her hand hennaed which is temporary colouring of the skin, by a girl in the market place. In An Unknown Girl, there are obvious associations between Western and Eastern culture. There is a sense of the purity of the 'unknown girl', perhaps representing the innocence of India, being invaded by the Western culture. It has proved to be an experience she has never forgotten. The title of the poem is "The Unknown Girl", though it may refer to the girl in the poem, it may be a pointer to the poetess herself as she is unknown to the roots, the unconscious culture and heritage ingrained in her.Alvi's theme in this poem is the cultural contrast and imagination.
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Critical analysis of Moniza Alvi poetry?
In An Unknown Girl, there are obvious associations between Western and Eastern culture. There is a sense of the purity of the 'unknown girl', perhaps representing the innocence of Pakistan, being invaded by the Western culture. There are constant reminders of the beauty of Pakistan e.g. the peacock in line 16. Peacocks are exotic, and there is something unnatural and extraordinary about them. This overwhelmingly beautiful quality, representing the vibrancy and colour of Pakistan, is replicated in the dazzlingly ornate hennah. The unknown girl is an emblem of Pakistan in its unsullied nature. By having that refrain, we see the degree of her longing for and innocent Pakistan, unruined by Westernisation, and the artificial, syntheitc, contrived appearance that Western culture had given India. Not only is she 'clinging to these firm peacock lines', but she is clinging on for that aspect of her nature, her culture. The comparison between her clinging on to the hennah and 'people who cling to the sides of a train' is culturally suitable, and draws comparisons between the cultures, emphasising their difference. There are constant associations between a harsher, colder Western culture, for example: 'she is icing my hand' - icing is purely decorative, there is nothing cultural about it. When the poet attempts to make an analogy with the Western world, she makes it significanty colder, compared with the colourful and vibrant nature of the more Eastern references, such as the kameez. When she says 'I'll scrape off the dry brown lines before i sleep, reveal soft as a snail trail the amber bird beneath', not only is she talking literally in terms of the hennah, but she is saying that the real beauty of Pakistan lies beneath the surface. Once you get rid of the syntheitics, the signs of Western culture, the beauty can truly be discovered.
What is a unknown author called?
anonymousAnon.Anonymous.
Is Joseph Galli Jr. married?
married (wife's name unknown; divorced); married (wife's name unknown)
Who invented drama?
the answer you desire is unknown sorry
Is Justin Fletcher gay?
the awnser is unknown
When was Moniza Alvi born?
mozia alvi was born on the 2nd of February 1954 in Lahore actually
How does the poem an unknown girl bring out the thoughts and feelings of an expatriete?
The poem "An Unknown Girl" by Moniza Alvi portrays the sense of longing, nostalgia, and displacement experienced by an expatriate. The speaker's encounter with a henna girl in India triggers memories of cultural heritage and a sense of connection to the homeland. Through vivid imagery and sensory details, the poem captures the complex emotions of being torn between two worlds and the search for identity in a foreign land.
What is Moniza Alvi's poem 'An Unknown Girl' about?
"An Unknown Girl" by Moniza Alvi is about a woman reconnecting with her roots and culture during a visit to India. The poem explores themes of identity, nostalgia, and the search for one's place in the world. It captures the experience of feeling simultaneously familiar and foreign when encountering a new environment.
When was Sattar Alvi born?
Sattar Alvi was born in 1949.
When was Sajida Alvi born?
Sajida Alvi was born in 1941.
When was Abrar Alvi born?
Abrar Alvi was born in 1927.
How tall is Naeem Alvi?
Naeem Alvi is 5' 10".
What has the author Mazarool Alvi written?
Mazarool Alvi has written: 'Adhoora Orata'
When was Arif Alvi born?
Arif Alvi was born on 1949-08-29.
When was Naeem Alvi born?
Naeem Alvi was born on November 1, 1984, in Ahmedabad, India.
What has the author F N Alvi written?
F. N. Alvi has written: 'Alao ke phul'
What has the author Qaisar Tamkin Alvi written?
Qaisar Tamkin Alvi has written: 'Allah ke bande'
