3. ‘Blessing’ by Imtiaz Dharker
Bio of the Poet
- Imtiaz Dharker (b. 1954): A contemporary British-Pakistani poet, filmmaker, and artist. Her works explore themes of identity, displacement, and culture.
- Born in Lahore, raised in Glasgow, Dharker has lived between multiple cultures. Her poems often reflect this diversity and social consciousness.
- ‘Blessing’ is inspired by her experiences in Mumbai, India, and focuses on water scarcity and poverty.
Detailed Summary
- The poem opens with the description of a hot, dry environment where water is scarce.
- A small trickle of water is seen as a precious blessing.
- Suddenly, a burst water pipe releases water into the streets—a moment of ecstatic joy.
- People—especially children—rush out to collect water in any container they can find.
- The poet contrasts the harshness of poverty with the miracle-like arrival of water.
- Ends on an image of “naked children screaming in the liquid sun”, suggesting both joy and desperation.
Main Themes
- Poverty and Deprivation
- Water as a Symbol of Life and Hope
- Joy Amid Suffering
- The Power of Nature
- Inequality and Injustice
Literary Analysis
- Form: Free verse with varying stanza lengths—fluid like water.
- Tone: Shifts from bleak to joyous and celebratory.
- Imagery:
- Vivid sensory descriptions: “The skin cracks like a pod”, “the sudden rush of fortune.”
- Water is personified and almost divine.
- Vivid sensory descriptions: “The skin cracks like a pod”, “the sudden rush of fortune.”
- Language:
- Simile: “silver crashes to the ground” elevates water to a precious metal.
- Alliteration and assonance enhance musicality.
- Juxtaposition of lack and abundance.
- Simile: “silver crashes to the ground” elevates water to a precious metal.
Main Message
- The poem highlights how basic necessities like water are life-changing blessings for the poor.
- It urges the reader to reflect on economic inequality and take note of everyday luxuries taken for granted.
- It is a celebration of human resilience and the simple joys in adversity.
Expected Exam Questions
- How does Dharker present water as a symbol of hope in ‘Blessing’?
- Explore the contrast between scarcity and abundance in the poem.
- How does the poet use imagery and sound to capture the atmosphere of the poem?
- In what ways does the poem reflect social inequality?