Secondly, it soon becomes aware to me that, whilst comparing both poems, the poets have used their work to portray their emotional status’ in response to almost possessing dual cultures.
In ‘Presents from my Aunt in Pakistan’, Alvi concentrates on cultural dislocation, which is unquestionably the poets feelings about her ethnic background. From quotes such as ‘half-english’, ‘Marks & Spencer’s’ and ‘salwar kameez didn’t impress the schoolfriend’, I begin to picture that she is caught in the middle of fashion and popularity in England and her original, cultural traditions.
In ‘Search for my Tongue’, Bhatt seems to feel that she is betraying her background by forgetting her mother tongue. This is implied in the quote, ‘if you had to speak a foreign tongue, your mother tongue would rot’. Also, if you examine the structure of the poem, you find that the Gujarati language is sandwiched in between the English language. This is obviously a reflection of the poet’s feelings on how her language is treated second class to that of the English.
Throughout both poems, the main issue is about how have both the poets adjusted to the change in culture and society.
In ‘Presents from my Aunts in Pakistan’, the poet takes to the English culture almost instantaneously (e.g. fashion) even though she is subconsciously aware that she is Pakistani.
In ‘Search for my Tongue’, the poet almost forgets her foundations and adjusts well. But, she finds her vernacular tongue towards the end of the poem which makes her feel guilty and angry at the same time for forgetting it. Yet, she only seems to feel bad when she remembers that she’s not English.
There seems to be a whole range of different cultures mentioned within both poems.
In ‘Presents from my Aunts in Pakistan’, there is a mixture of different issues in the text including clothing, friends and presents. ‘salwar kameez’ is a Pakistani traditional costume, but she tends to be more interested in impressing her new peers, so she wears clothes from ‘Marks & Spencer’s’.
In ‘Search for my Tongue’, the only theme that is dealt with is the differences in the languages. The poem focuses on a mix of English and Gujarati.
In both poems, there seems to be an on-going war between original culture and the countries that they have moved to.
In ‘Presents from my Aunts in Pakistan’, there is a battle fuelled between fashion and tradition. When the family are living in England, the young girl begins to feel peer pressure when her dress sense is questioned by school friends. She starts to feel insecure and begins to compare England and Pakistan.
In ‘Search for my Tongue’, there is a comparison being made between Western life and Indian culture. In the poem, there is a slot for the Gujarati language, which I think is introduced to show pride over all else. Also, the poet sets us straight, telling us that her background will always be cemented into her identity.
Throughout both poems, Moniza Alvi and Sujata Bhatt both tend to use the same language effects and devices.
In ‘Presents for my Aunts in Pakistan’, Alvi focuses more on the darker side of the cultural change. She may well be experiencing denial and may also be searching for her true identity. This effects how she views England and its status at the present.
In ‘Search for my Tongue’, Bhatt uses irregular stanzas, which makes it more realistic and personal to the reader. She provides detailed images and uses a confessional tone. Bhatt also directly addresses the reader and uses Gujarati with a phonetic translation so that we can get to understand her ethnic qualities.
Both poets have obviously felt, at some point, a loss of cultural identity because of their longing for a traditional life.
In ‘Presents from my Aunts in Pakistan’, Alvi feels that she has lost her countries attitude and view on life. She then decides to opt for a more ‘British’ view on life and literally dumps her traditions.
In ‘Search for my Tongue’, Bhatt feels she has lost her native qualities. Yet, she still uses Gujarati in her poem, so she obviously still has her vernacular language.
In conclusion to this essay, ‘Presents from my Aunts in Pakistan’ takes a more negative approach than ‘Search for my Tongue’ because it is all about the troubles that the family faced in England, where as ‘Search for my Tongue’ is all about the joy of settling within a new society but to still also remember your ethnic upbringing and traditions.
