1. Presents from my Aunts in Pakistan Poems from Different Cultures
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Presents from my Aunts in Pakistan
Poems from Different Cultures

2. Examination Preparation
Slide Contents
Author
Themes
What is it About?
Structure
Language
Examination Preparation
Links

3. The Author

4. Moniza Alvi
Moniza Alvi was born in Pakistan in 1954 to a Pakistani father and an English mother. She moved to England when she was only a few months old and grew up in Hatfield on the outskirts of London.
Speaking about Presents from my Aunts in Pakistan she said “The girl in the poem would be me at about 13…I found it was important to write the Pakistan poems because I was getting in touch with my background.”

5. Themes

6. Who do you think you are?
Identity is about the things that make us who we are. You may be male or female, young or old, black or white, rich or poor – these are all features which make up your identity. It is about where you come from, the language you speak, your religion, your family and your personal history. Identity is what we think of ourselves. The girl in this poem is confused about her identity, she feels split between being Pakistani and being English.

7. Two Cultures
A number of the poets in the Poems from Different Cultures section of the anthology talk about the experience of having two different cultures in their lives. Having a mixture of backgrounds can make people feel caught between different cultures. In Presents from my Aunts in Pakistan the girl in the poem feels confused, her family are from Pakistan but she has spent almost her whole life in England. She feels as though she doesn’t really fit into either culture.

8. What is it About?

9. Identity and Two Cultures
Imagine (or you may have experience) leaving the country you were born in to live in another country. You would be leaving behind friends, grandparents, cousins, uncles and aunts. How might you feel about:
Your new home
The country you left behind

10. Identity and Two Cultures
What feelings might you have? What would you miss the most? Would you have positive or negative feelings, or both?
Discuss your findings with a partner.

11. What Happens? Lines What is happening? 1 - 26 27 - 43 44 - 69
There are three main parts to the poem. Do you know what they are? The first one has been done for you
Lines
What is happening?
1 - 26
The poet remembers the clothes she was sent by her aunts in Pakistan. When she put them on she felt uncomfortable.

12. What Happens? Lines What is happening? 1 - 26 27 - 43 44 - 69
There are three main parts to the poem. Do you know what they are? The first one has been done for you
Lines
What is happening?
1 - 26
The poet remembers the clothes she was sent by her aunts in Pakistan. When she put them on she felt uncomfortable.
She remembers her mum’s jewellery being stolen and her friend not liking the clothes from Pakistan
She tries to recollect what it was like first coming to England. She reflects that she’ll never feel properly Pakistani or English

13. Structure

14. Staying Focused Stanza Events & Feelings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
The poem is organised into seven stanzas with each representing a different stage. Complete the chart below. Say what happens in each stanza and describe how she feels.
Stanza
Events & Feelings 1
She describes the clothes she received from her aunts in Pakistan. She appears to be impressed by their beautiful and exotic colours. 2 3 4 5 6 7

15. Structure How are the lines of the poem structured?
Why do you think the poet has done this?
Explain your answer in detail.
In my opinion Moniza Alvi has chosen to write the lines of the poem in an unusual way to show…. I also believe that…..

16. Structure
The poem is written in free verse meaning that the words and phrases of the poem are set out loosely on the page. It is also split into verses of altering length. If you read the poem out loud this structure affects how you read the lines. This is because when there is no set pattern, the poet can always break a line to stress the image or emotion they are attempting to convey.

17. Language

18. Vocabulary
Some of the words used in the poem may be unfamiliar to you. Can you match up the correct definition of each of the following words from the poem?
Words
Meaning
salwar kameez
Moniza Alvi’s birthplace in Pakistan.
sari
Decorative panelling, with cut-outs so you can partly see through it.
mirror-work
relentless itching caused by hot weather.
prickly heat
Loose trousers and tunic, worn by Pakistani women.
Lahore
Asian clothing decorated with lots of tiny round mirrors
fretwork
An ornate park in Lahore.
Shalimar Gardens
a garment, traditionally worn by South Asian women

19. Vocabulary How many did you get? Words Meaning salwar kameez sari
Loose trousers and tunic, worn by Pakistani women.
sari
a garment, traditionally worn by South Asian women
mirror-work
Asian clothing decorated with lots of tiny round mirrors
prickly heat
relentless itching caused by hot weather.
Lahore
Moniza Alvi’s birthplace in Pakistan.
fretwork
Decorative panelling, with cut-outs so you can partly see through it.
Shalimar Gardens
An ornate park in Lahore.

20. Colour
Many descriptions of colour are used in the opening fifteen lines of the poem. Find examples and add them to the spider diagram below.
Peacock-blue
Why does the poet use these words to describe the colours of the clothes? What impression is she trying to create?

21. Why does the poet use these particular images?
Imagery
Look at the imagery used in the poem.
Why does the poet use these particular images?
The Images
Notes on the images
My costume clung to me
And I was aflame,
I couldn’t rise up out of its fire
The presents were radiant in my wardrobe
Staring through fretwork
At the Shalimar Gardens

22. The poem uses three types of language.
Language Features
The poem uses three types of language.
Conflict The cultures of England and Pakistan contrast sharply as symbolised by the clothes. Pain and She feels uncertain about who she is. She fear is uncomfortable in Pakistani clothes and feels excluded by both cultures. Metaphorical Metaphors such as the conflict in Pakistan Language is used to emphasise her own inner conflict.

23. Poetic Techniques Match the technique with the correct definition.
Technique Definition Metaphor The use of the same sound at the start of words Alliteration A figure of speech not meant literally Personification a comparison between two different things, especially a phrase containing the word 'like' or 'as Simile the attribution of human qualities to objects

24. Poetic Techniques Match the technique with the correct definition.
Technique Definition Metaphor The use of the same sound at the start of words Alliteration A figure of speech not meant literally Personification a comparison between two different things, especially a phrase containing the word 'like' or 'as Simile the attribution of human qualities to objects

25. Poetic Techniques Technique Evidence Effect simile
Think about the poetic techniques discussed on the last slide. Copy down the chart below. Find examples in the poem and write down the effect created.
Technique
Evidence
Effect
simile
‘glistening like an orange split open’
metaphor
Alliteration
personification

26. Feelings and Attitudes
The poet remembers feeling confused and out of place as a teenager.
She has mixed feelings about the presents sent by her aunts – they are beautiful but also strange and alien to her.
She feels as though she doesn’t know who she is – she is confused about her identity.

27. Examination Preparation

28. The Examination Paper You will have 45 minutes to answer the question.
You will be asked to compare two poems.
You should begin by annotating the question for the key words. This will help you to understand what you are being asked to do.
E.g. Compare ‘Presents from my Aunts in Pakistan’ with one other poem, to show how the poets reveal ideas and feelings about their identity.

29. Planning
Spend between 5 and 10 minutes making a plan. This will help you to order your essay logically.
Make a note of any key ideas you are going to include.
Leave at least 5 minutes at the end to read through your work and check for any basic errors.

30. Structure A good answer should: Write in paragraphs.
Don’t forget to P.E.E! Using a range of quotes that are properly embedded within your answer.
Begin with an introduction and end with a conclusion.
The main body of the essay should follow these five steps to make a good answer:
Write a bit about the theme
Compare the structures of each poem
Compare the use of language in each poem
Compare the feelings of the poets
Write about how the poems make you feel.

31. Refer back to the question repeating the key words from it.
Making Connections
Use a series of comparisons, using connectives to link ideas, both within paragraphs and between paragraphs.
Similarity Connectives
Equally
In the same way
Similarly
Likewise
Just as…also
Contrast Connectives
In contrast
However
Whereas (best used in the middle of a sentence)
On the other hand
Refer back to the question repeating the key words from it.

32. gives the impression that
Analysis
Use the following words to link your Point -> Evidence -> Explain sentences. The use of these words will also help to ensure that your response is analytical.
suggests
implies
gives the impression that
shows
highlights
indicates
To make the same point using a different example, try one of these:
furthers
emphasises
reinforces

33. Recap
When you are comparing poems you will be asked to look for the similarities and the differences.
You should comment on the language they use. What poetic devices are present? Imagery, similes, metaphors, alliteration, onomatopoeia, personification, rhyme etc. What effect do they have on the reader?
You will need to comment on the structure of the poems. How are they set out? Does this add to their overall effect/meaning?
Consider the tone of the poems. What mood has the author created?

34. Links

35. Useful Stuff Presents from my Aunts in Pakistan short film:
Film featuring traditional Pakistani clothes as described in the poem:
BBC Bitesize Poems From Other Cultures: