ANALYSIS: THE RIGHT WORD
Line Analysis Additional notes
The Right Word The Right Word is a very
aptly named poem as it is
ostensibly about the poet
trying to find the truest word
in order to describe the
person who is at their door.
Imtiaz Dharker describes this
person and their action from
the perspectives of different
people and this approach
helps highlight how changing
words slightly can massively
effect their context and
points to the power that
simply playing with phrase
can have.
1 Outside the door, The repetition of the word This first stanza of the
outside reminds the reader poem is very impactful. It
that the extremist may feel is sharp and to the point.
like an outsider. Also, the Taken in isolation we
misinterpretation of an could assume from this
Individual's intent can opening line that the
distance then as well poem itself might just be
about terrorism. What is
also interesting is that
2 Lurking in the Lurking in the shadows' Dharker uses the word
shadows further suggests that they shadow in this stanza. The
are a hidden threat waiting shadows comes into play
for the moment to attack. often in the poem as you
Dharker creates tension and will see as the poem
mood in just these three progresses.
opening lines
, 3 Is a terrorist The word 'terrorist' creates a
complex set of expectations.
We believe that we
understand how this person
will act; we may even think
we know who they are, what
they represent, their motives,
even their appearance, just
from this one word.
4 is that the wrong However, Dharker deflates Here we see the narrator
description? these expectations when in question their first stanza,
the next stanza she asks 'Is the effect of asking this
that the wrong description?", question of themselves is
to extend the stanza to a
5 Outside the door further line. It's as if just
questioning what has
6 taking shelter in the In contrast, Dharker now been said can contort
shadows describes the person as what was thought to be
'taking shelter in the true. The narrator then
shadows', seeking safety once again tries to
against an oppressive describe the scene
enemy. Even a subtle change honestly. This time the
in word choice significantly character is taking shelter
alters our interpretation. in the
7 Is a freedom fighter The 'terrorist' is recast as a
shadows rather than
'freedom fighter which
lurking in thern and they
immediately sets up a whole
are not referred to as a
other range of expectations.
terrorist, but a freedom
By referring to the individual
fighter. This is an
as a freedom- fighter now
interesting change in
makes them sound noble,
description, if you flip
rather than threatening
your
perspective could a
terrorist be classed as a
freedom fighter if their
cause was one that you
believed strongly in, the
narrator is forcing the
reader to look at things
from more than one
perspective.
Line Analysis Additional notes
The Right Word The Right Word is a very
aptly named poem as it is
ostensibly about the poet
trying to find the truest word
in order to describe the
person who is at their door.
Imtiaz Dharker describes this
person and their action from
the perspectives of different
people and this approach
helps highlight how changing
words slightly can massively
effect their context and
points to the power that
simply playing with phrase
can have.
1 Outside the door, The repetition of the word This first stanza of the
outside reminds the reader poem is very impactful. It
that the extremist may feel is sharp and to the point.
like an outsider. Also, the Taken in isolation we
misinterpretation of an could assume from this
Individual's intent can opening line that the
distance then as well poem itself might just be
about terrorism. What is
also interesting is that
2 Lurking in the Lurking in the shadows' Dharker uses the word
shadows further suggests that they shadow in this stanza. The
are a hidden threat waiting shadows comes into play
for the moment to attack. often in the poem as you
Dharker creates tension and will see as the poem
mood in just these three progresses.
opening lines
, 3 Is a terrorist The word 'terrorist' creates a
complex set of expectations.
We believe that we
understand how this person
will act; we may even think
we know who they are, what
they represent, their motives,
even their appearance, just
from this one word.
4 is that the wrong However, Dharker deflates Here we see the narrator
description? these expectations when in question their first stanza,
the next stanza she asks 'Is the effect of asking this
that the wrong description?", question of themselves is
to extend the stanza to a
5 Outside the door further line. It's as if just
questioning what has
6 taking shelter in the In contrast, Dharker now been said can contort
shadows describes the person as what was thought to be
'taking shelter in the true. The narrator then
shadows', seeking safety once again tries to
against an oppressive describe the scene
enemy. Even a subtle change honestly. This time the
in word choice significantly character is taking shelter
alters our interpretation. in the
7 Is a freedom fighter The 'terrorist' is recast as a
shadows rather than
'freedom fighter which
lurking in thern and they
immediately sets up a whole
are not referred to as a
other range of expectations.
terrorist, but a freedom
By referring to the individual
fighter. This is an
as a freedom- fighter now
interesting change in
makes them sound noble,
description, if you flip
rather than threatening
your
perspective could a
terrorist be classed as a
freedom fighter if their
cause was one that you
believed strongly in, the
narrator is forcing the
reader to look at things
from more than one
perspective.
