"An Unknown Girl" by Manisa Alvey - Lecture Notes

Context and Background

• Author: Manisa Alvey
  • Born in Pakistan, moved to England
  • Open about her struggle with identity and blending Eastern and Western cultures
• Poem's Speaker: Suggests Indian connections; also experiences cultural identity conflict similar to Alvey
• Exam Relevance: Useful for Edexcel GCSE English Language Paper 2 or coursework (if chosen)
  • Note: Context not required for Edexcel IGCSE but helpful for understanding

Themes and Analysis

Title: "An Unknown Girl"

• Key Term: Unknown
  • Highlights themes of identity and lack of self-knowledge
  • Refrain in poem emphasizing its importance
  • Initial literal reference to girl applying henna; later, it refers to the speaker
  • Term: Girl: Connotes inexperience

Imagery and Word Choice

• Evening Bazaar: Traditional market setting with modern neon lights
  • Symbolizes Western influence in India
  • Reflects speaker's sense of not quite belonging and identity conflict
• Henna Process: Comforting and soothing, creates a connection with Indian culture
  • Use of Sibilance: Softens tone (e.g., "She squeezes a wet brown line from a nozzle")
  • Icing Metaphor: Suggests intricacy and skill, self-improvement
  • Satin Peach Knee: Indicates Eastern attire, continuing East-West contrast

Socio-Economic Reflections

• Few Rupees: Reflects India's poverty yet high personal value of henna process
• Air Changes: Use of Pathetic Fallacy, suggesting emotional change
  • Change in henna's description to "A peacock spreads its lines across my palm"
  • Peacock: India's national bird, symbolizing cultural connection
  • Shadow: Potential dark/unknown aspect of self

Visual and Sensory Details

• Imagery: Transition to evening with colors leaving streets
  • Dummies in Shopfronts: Negative connotation, artificiality of Western influence, speaker's self-consciousness
  • Miss India Banners: Later repurposed, feeling of comfort or overwhelming

Metaphors and Symbolism

• New Brown Veins: Short sentence indicating change and cultural connection
  • Metaphor for blood and heritage
  • Further emphasizes theme of identity
• Clinging to Henna Lines: Desperation to hold onto cultural connection
  • Resembling people clinging to train sides: Represents temporary but strong bond
  • Fury Streets Hushed: Mirroring temporary nature of cultural connection

Conclusion and Poetic Form

• Temporary Connection: Short lines and little punctuation reflect ephemeral nature of henna and identity
  • Form: Free Verse
    • Mirroring lack of certainty about self
    • Centered lines: Stuck between two cultures
  • Stream of Consciousness: In-the-moment reflection on identity struggle

Tone and Emotional Arc

• Excitement transitioning to Anxiety
  • Initial comfort and excitement about cultural connection
  • Ending in anxious tone realizing the temporary nature of this feeling