Analysis of 'An Unknown Girl' by Moniza Alvi

you are literally so amazing

Hello 2023 students! Day before the exam and this is perfect for a final glance at the texts! Hopped on to add two alternative views for anyone looking to get extra points for deeper analysis!

1. The "icing my hand" could also be a baking metaphor as it emphasizes the cultural contrast, icing isn't a very eastern way to describe the process of henna being put on someones hand perhaps.
2. the "amber bird" is also seen as a Phonenix, as though the henna is allowing her connection to India to rise up from the ashes and reviving it!

Hope these help and good luck everyone!

In my exam I instead referenced the final reference of the “unknown girl” as actually the girl at first, as if she missed her, since the question asked how she feels of the girl, is it all based on interpretation or do you reckon I can get marks based off this interpretation?

Oooooh another thing, so usually on our palms we have lines right that could be interpreted as connotation of traditional indian culture as well because those lines are examined and studies by palmists and so the national bird of india "spreading its lines" , 'across her palm' may be seen as her re-establishing her indian roots, and further adds to her trying to connect with them in attempt to find her identify

This may be a little harsh 😂 but when she uses the word 'icing' it is quite funny for native indians or perhaps just me alone because it kind of highlights western interpretation of indian culture which is quite humorous i dont know if im making any sense

single-handedly carrying my English GCSE thx

why does she scrape off the dry brown lines?

thanks, i am so annoyed we had to do this for coursework but it is now a lot easier thanks to your amazing analysis

I believe the ‘amber bird’ is symbolic of a Phoenix and represents how her henna has risen/revived her cultural connection to India from the ashes.

Please like this video so others can see and benefit from it

Do I need to mention what the bazaar in India is like in the exam?

THANK YOU AAA

THANKS SO MUCH! ❤️

Thanks a lot!!!

Is the unknown girl the poet or the girl doing the henna for the poet?

Wait is peacock seriously the national bird of Indian🧐

Assasaasasasasasas

such a hard carry for my gcse thx so much

thank you lots!!!!

The likes were 69 so I liked it to change it

Thanks a lot

I also think you could annotate the contrast in the aliteration of bird beneath as birds connote freedom and joy as they sing, while beneath shows a sense of hiding or fear

bazaars are also a part of Arabian cultures, as well as many others in Asia.
Also- 'I have new brown veins', could suggest that her blood is dirty, because she feels like she doesn't belong, or is pretending to be someone else to help her with her identity crisis, 'I'll scrape off the brown lines before I sleep', may mean that she can go back to being who she wants to be, because no one else is around.
'Dummies in shop-fronts that tilt and stare', may refer to how she thinks she always being stared at, and feels insecure, though they are only dummies, she is trying to remind herself that these opinions don't matter

Thank you!!