ANNOTATION FOR
PARTITION
BY SUJATA BHATT
Literally, partition means separation. The poem, in context, discusses the
separation of India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. 2 million people are believed to
have been killed preceding the event. This is a narrative poem which offers a
personal account of a huge historical event.
Line 2 describes ‘a garden’ which is a place is normally a place of safety and
beauty. The vocabulary is the poem’s main feature.
Enjambment is used throughout the poem which promotes free running
speech. It is furthered and embroidered by the staggered indentation, showing
how fractured the division of countries is. The poem is written in free verse,
which accentuates the outpour of emotion.
The phrase ‘a new sound’ in Line 6 indicates something different that effectively
disturbed India and the atmosphere during this time. The sense of hearing
plays a large role throughout the mother’s childhood.
‘Even the birds sounded different’ is a phrase in Line 13 that demonstrates that
the symbolic and physical landscape has been modified.
‘Now’ is a transition word used in Line 20 to adapt the narrative style. It places
the narration in the present day.
The description that ‘India is ‘fifty’’ across Lines 23 and 24 is written in inverted
commas to show that there is doubt. This is because Britain has moulded India,
and decided that it is fifty.
The visual indentation of Lines 27 and 28 is intended to evoke discontent within
the reader, to mirror the discontent felt by the mother.
In Line 29, the phrase ‘a man; is used. The indefinite article offers the view that
there is an anonymity and inhumanity surrounding this man. The question
mark used at the end of the poem shows a lack of resolution.
Line 28 to Line 32 are intentionally structured in a harsh manner to
contemptuously approach the condemnation of the way Britain responded to
the partition. The use of ‘partition’ in the title and ‘divide’ in the last line, Line
32, help to tie the poem together.
PARTITION
BY SUJATA BHATT
Literally, partition means separation. The poem, in context, discusses the
separation of India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. 2 million people are believed to
have been killed preceding the event. This is a narrative poem which offers a
personal account of a huge historical event.
Line 2 describes ‘a garden’ which is a place is normally a place of safety and
beauty. The vocabulary is the poem’s main feature.
Enjambment is used throughout the poem which promotes free running
speech. It is furthered and embroidered by the staggered indentation, showing
how fractured the division of countries is. The poem is written in free verse,
which accentuates the outpour of emotion.
The phrase ‘a new sound’ in Line 6 indicates something different that effectively
disturbed India and the atmosphere during this time. The sense of hearing
plays a large role throughout the mother’s childhood.
‘Even the birds sounded different’ is a phrase in Line 13 that demonstrates that
the symbolic and physical landscape has been modified.
‘Now’ is a transition word used in Line 20 to adapt the narrative style. It places
the narration in the present day.
The description that ‘India is ‘fifty’’ across Lines 23 and 24 is written in inverted
commas to show that there is doubt. This is because Britain has moulded India,
and decided that it is fifty.
The visual indentation of Lines 27 and 28 is intended to evoke discontent within
the reader, to mirror the discontent felt by the mother.
In Line 29, the phrase ‘a man; is used. The indefinite article offers the view that
there is an anonymity and inhumanity surrounding this man. The question
mark used at the end of the poem shows a lack of resolution.
Line 28 to Line 32 are intentionally structured in a harsh manner to
contemptuously approach the condemnation of the way Britain responded to
the partition. The use of ‘partition’ in the title and ‘divide’ in the last line, Line
32, help to tie the poem together.
