PHOTOGRAPH THIS IS A By Margaret Atwood OF ME GUIDEBOOK
TABLE OF CONTENT •GENERAL OVERVIEW…………………………..3 •CREATORS…………………………………………….5 •ABOUT THE AUTHOR………………………….6-7 •THE POEM…………………………………………....9 • INTRODUCTION………………………………….11-12 •TITLE & THEME……………………………………13-14 •INTERPRETATION………………………………..15-16 •STRUCTURE OF THE POEM………………….17 •FURTHER DISCUSSION…………………………18 •CONTENT…………………………………………...…19-22 •CONCLUSION………………………………………..24-26 •REFERENCES………………………………………....27 •THE END………………………………………………..28
G E NE R AL OV E R V I E WThis book helps young adults understand poetry. It explains how poems are made, including their structure and literary tricks. The book talks about a poem called "The Photograph of Me " by Margaret Atwood. This poem talks about a blurry photo, but it also explores how history and truth can be tricky. The poem is good for young adults because it ' s easy to read but has deep meanings. We hope this poem encourages readers to learn more about poetry. THARSHINI MAHENTHIRAN (012021071761) 3
NURUL AIN BINTI ALI SOFIAN (012022070031) YALA AISHATH (012022021289) CREATORS THARSHINI MAHENTHIRAN (012021061761) PRAVEEN A/L SIDDHARTHAN (012023020281) WAN ANIS YASMINE BINTI WAN MOHD FARRED (012020092001) 5
Atwood was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, in 1939. She studied English at the University of Toronto and Radcliffe College, and received her master ' s degree from Harvard University in 1962. She began publishing poetry in the early 1960s, and her first collection, The Circle Game, was published in 1964. "This is a photograph of me " is the first poem in that collection. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Margaret Atwood, a Canadian poet, novelist, literary critic, essayist, teacher, environmental activist, and inventor. She is one of Canada ' s most celebrated authors, and has won numerous awards for her work, including the Booker Prize twice (for Oryx and Crake in 2000 and The Handmaid' s Tale in 2019), the Arthur C. Clarke Award, the Governor General' s Award for Fiction, and the Neustadt International Prize for Literature. Atwood' s poetry is often characterized by its sharp wit, its feminist perspective, and its exploration of themes such as identity, memory, and loss. "This is a photograph of me " is a particularly powerful example of her work, as it uses the image of a drowned woman to explore the ways in which women are often overlooked and silenced in society. THARSHINI MAHENTHIRAN (012021071761) 6
Atwood has written over 60 books of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Her novels include The Handmaid' s Tale (1985), Oryx and Crake (2000), The Blind Assassin (2000), and The Year of the Flood (2009). She has also written several collections of short stories, essays, and poetry. Atwood is a Companion of the Order of Canada and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. She is also a recipient of the Giller Prize, the Scotiabank Giller Prize, and the Trillium Book Award. Atwood is a highly respected and influential writer, and her work continues to be read and studied by people all over the world. ABOUT THE AUTHOR THARSHINI MAHENTHIRAN (012021071761) 7
It was taken some time ago. At first it seems to be a smeared print: blurred lines and grey flecks blended with the paper; then, as you scan it, you see in the left-hand corner a thing that is like a branch: part of a tree (balsam or spruce) emerging and, to the right, halfway up what ought to be a gentle slope, a small frame house. In the background there is a lake, and beyond that, some low hills. (The photograph was taken the day after I drowned. I am in the lake, in the center of the picture, just under the surface. It is difficult to say where precisely, or to say how large or small I am: the effect of water on light is a distortion but if you look long enough, eventually you will be able to see me.) THE POEM Margaret Atwood By THARSHINI MAHENTHIRAN (012021071761) 9
INTRODUCTION Margaret Atwood' s poem "This is a photograph of me " is a haunting and thought-provoking meditation on death, memory, and the power of photography. The poem is told from the perspective of a dead woman, who describes her photograph and the events leading up to her drowning. The poem is divided into three parts. The first part describes the photograph itself, which is blurry and smeared. The speaker notes that she is wearing a bathing suit and that there is a lake in the background. She also mentions that the photograph was taken the day after she drowned. The second part of the poem describes the speaker ' s last day alive. She recalls playing in the lake with her friends and feeling happy and carefree. However, she also hints at a sense of unease, as she describes the lake as being " cold and deep " and the hills beyond as being "low and dark." The third and final part of the poem is the most cryptic. The speaker tells the reader that she is " still here " in the photograph, but that she is "just under the surface." She invites the reader to look closely at the photograph and to try to see her. THARSHINI MAHENTHIRAN (012021071761) 11
INTRODUCTION Whether or not Margaret Atwood' s poem "This is a photograph of me " is appropriate for school depends on the age and maturity level of the students. The poem is about a drowned girl who is looking at a photograph of herself from before she died. She describes the photograph in detail, but she does not mention her death until the last stanza. The poem can be interpreted on many levels. On one level, it is a simple description of a photograph. On another level, it is a metaphor for the way that people are often overlooked and misunderstood. The poem can also be seen as a commentary on the way that women are often objectified and sexualized. The poem is appropriate for mature high school students and university students. It is a complex and thought-provoking poem that can be used to generate discussion about a variety of topics, including death, loss, grief, identity, and gender. THARSHINI MAHENTHIRAN (012021071761) 12
The title of this poem gives the readers an overall view of what it is about, the author describing a picture of her, the title works almost as the first line of the poem. She starts off by saying that the picture was “taken some time ago ” and describes the lines which have already blurred and how the grey flecks have blended with the paper, she goes on describing more of the picture and mentions that “the photograph was taken the day after I drowned”. Margaret Atwood is an author that often focuses on the theme of feminism and with this poem, she uses certain aspects of nature observed in the photograph to symbolize the dominance of men over women in our society, as well as the importance of understanding others, and the distortion of reality. TITLE & THEME Yala Aishath (012022021289) 13
“This Is a photograph of me ” literally talks about the photograph itself, about a woman who had drowned, however, if you choose to look at this poem in a different light and focus on the symbolism used by Margaret Atwood, you would find a completely different meaning to it. Although it is not mentioned in the poem itself, when we look at the metaphorical meaning behind these lines we can see that the author ’ s purpose was actually to discuss the role of women and feminism at the time, for example, the last lines of the poem “but if you look long enough, eventually you will see me ” could refer to the feeling of not being heard or seen by the rest of the world, for not being recognised by others for who she is. TITLE & THEME Yala Aishath (012022021289) 14
I N T E R P R E T A T I O N The poem is frequently studied for its complex linguistic constructions and its examination of topics like memory, identity, and the expressive power of language. The issue of representation and identity is readily apparent from the title. It implies that the poem will examine the notion of how an image might accurately or inaccurately portray a person. The poem has three stanzas, each of which has a different emphasis. The poem's overall tone and meaning are influenced by the poem's structure and line breaks. The speaker describes a picture of herself as a youngster in the opening verse. The concept of the past, of memory, and how these aspects are depicted in a static image are all conveyed in this verse. The speaker admits that she is in the picture, but she does it detachedly, as if the picture doesn't exist because of her. The description of the setting and the home in the picture in the second verse gives a sense of loneliness and despair. The fact that the home is buried in water suggests a flood, which can be seen as a metaphor for the passage of time, memory loss, or the way the past might be obscured. A terrifying and unpleasant revelation is revealed in the final verse. According to the speaker, the picture was shot on the day she perished. The reader is forced to reexamine the prior stanzas in light of this startling revelation, which reframes the entire poem. In a way, the poem turns into a meditation on dying and the enduring power of remembrance. Margaret Atwood exhibits her command of language in "This Is a Photograph of Me," where she also demonstrates her ability to create a poem that forces readers to consider the nature of memory, identity, and the persuasiveness of the written word. The poem is a thought-provoking work that continues to attract readers and spark conversations about its meaning because to its subtle yet powerful narrative structure and use of symbolism. WAN ANIS YASMINE BINTI WAN MOHD FARRED (012020092001) 15
I N T E R P R E T A T I O N This is a free verse poem. It doesn't follow a predetermined rhyme pattern, metre, or conventional structure often connected with formal literary genres. The choice of language, line breaks, and images to transmit meaning and arouse emotions instead depends on the author's aesthetic and creative flexibility. This makes it the ideal example of current free verse poetry since Atwood is free to experiment with language and form to produce the intended impact. Margaret Atwood's poem is renowned for its exact and evocative use of language and its careful consideration of many technical issues that add to its overall impact. The poem's main technical details are as follows: For imagery aspect, Atwood uses vivid and frequently eerie imagery throughout the poem. A striking visual ambiance is produced by the shot, the submerged home, and the water. The poem's tone and subjects are better expressed thanks to this. The poem makes use of enjambment, which is the uninterrupted transition of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next. Like the river mentioned in the poem, this method adds to the poem's feeling of fluidity and development. To allow for numerous readings, Atwood employs ambiguity in her words and descriptions. The poem leaves readers with more questions than answers but invites them to connect with it more deeply and consider its many potential interpretations. The poem contrasts innocence with devastation by putting the picture of the speaker as a child next to the submerged house. This method emphasises the idea of loss and remembrance. The technical features of "This Is a Photograph of Me" have all been thoughtfully designed to heighten the poem's significance and emotional impact. This poem is a thought-provoking and emotionally powerful piece of art because to Margaret Atwood's deft use of language, structure, and imagery. WAN ANIS YASMINE BINTI WAN MOHD FARRED (012020092001) 16
STRUCTURE OF THE POEM The free verse poem "This Is a Photograph of Me " by Margaret Atwood does not strictly follow a rhyme system, metre, or conventional poetic form. It is divided into three stanzas, each of which has a different subject and theme. The poem ' s content and ambiance are significantly communicated and created through the structure and line breaks. Here is a summary of the poem ' s organisation: Six lines make up the first stanza, which portrays a picture of the speaker as a little child. This stanza contains the speaker ' s reflections on the image and how it depicts her youthful self. This verse establishes the opening mood of the poem with its serene and reflective tone. The attention is shifted to the countryside and the home in the picture in the second stanza, which has seven lines. As the speaker recounts the flooded house, a sense of solitude and desolation is established. As the underwater home picture implies an unpleasant change, the atmosphere grows spooky and strange. Eight lines make up the third stanza, which offers a startling surprise. It reveals that the picture was shot the day before the speaker perished in the water. The reader is forced to reexamine the preceding stanzas as a result of this revelation, which entirely reframes the entire poem. This stanza intensifies the eerie and ominous mood. The reader is led through the poem ' s main theme—which eventually revolves around identity, memory, and mortality—by the journey from the first to the third stanza. The poem ' s purposeful structural choices bring the reader through a succession of unexpected turns and discoveries, adding to the overall impact of the poem. WAN ANIS YASMINE BINTI WAN MOHD FARRED (012020092001)17
FURTHER DISCUSSIONS (COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS WITH OTHER POEM) Nobody heard him, the dead man, But still he lay moaning: I was much further out than you thought And not waving but drowning. Poor chap, he always loved larking And now he ’ s dead It must have been too cold for him his heart gave way, They said. Oh, no no no, it was too cold always (Still the dead one lay moaning) I was much too far out all my life And not waving but drowning. Not Waving but Drowning by Stevie Smith NURUL AIN BINTI ALI SOFIAN (012022070031)18
C O N T E N T SIMILARITIES 1 . T H E M E After analyzing the two poems which are This is a Photograph of Me by Margaret Atwood and Not Waving but Drowning by Stevie Smith, there is a similarity in terms of thematic concern which is the importance of understanding others. This is a Photograph of Me touches upon themes on the distortion of reality and it represents the ultimate form of isolation, being alone, ultimately forgotten. For example, In stanza 5, the speaker could be telling us that she feels isolated in her life. The speaker ’ s voice is veiled by the lake as if she were drowning but actually it refers to the lack of understanding and effort of society tries to dig, ” under the surface, ” Not Waving but Drowning, the poem also speaks on the isolation and pain of being misunderstood. I t highlights the pain of being misunderstood and the frequent failure of communication between human beings. For example, it can be clearly seen in the first stanza where nobody heard the drowning man. Yet he continued to cry for help and wave his arms, his flailing mistaken for friendly waving. This can be interpreted as an analogy for more philosophical human struggles which we are often ‘drowning ’ , or struggling, under the weight of cares, worries, anxieties, or stress, but people may assume we are all right. NURUL AIN BINTI ALI SOFIAN (012022070031)19
2 . V O I C E ( S P E A K E R ) The second similarities can be seen in terms of voice or the speaker in the poem. For both poems, the voice is from the dead person. As for This is a Photograph of me, the speaker is someone who drowned “ some time ago.” I t can be seen from line 15 where the fact that the speaker narrates from beyond the grave, casually says that it was the photograph taken after her death specifically the day after she drowned. I t same goes like the second poem, Not Waving but Drowning which the first stanza tells that nobody heard his dying moans, He is now “the dead man ”. In line 3, “ I was much further out” not “I am ” means he is already a goner. C O N T E N T NURUL AIN BINTI ALI SOFIAN (012022070031) 20
3 . M O O D & T O N E The third similarities can be seen in terms of mood and tone of the poem. Both poems have the sense of melancholy and sadness. This is a Photograph of Me has mysterious mood during the first half and then quite somber which ironic because when the photograph is described it is dull and grey. What happen to narrator somber as well. For example, from line 15, it is explained that she was drowned, submerge under water, and died. The photograph represents history itself. I t is blurry, grainy, and hard to understand. I t conceals the truth, represented by the body in the water. Meanwhile the example for Not Waving but Drowning can be seen in stanza three which the speaker is fretting over the situation that she is in, and wishing that somehow, she had managed to find a way to make those around her understand what she was going through. She states that not only is the water, or this day, too cold, but it “ was too cold always.” Her life, her emotions, the reactions she got from her family, friends, and peers, all of it was too cold C O N T E N T NURUL AIN BINTI ALI SOFIAN (012022070031) 21
C O N T E N T DIFFERENCES There is a big difference between The Photograph of Me and Not Waving But Drowning. The only difference is that the girl from her own image gets to enjoy and cherish her wonderful moments of her past life while the man from his past life suffered and died in vain. PRAVEEN A/L SIDDHARTHAN (012023020281) 22
CONCLUSION The many varied themes and interpretations of this poem have been covered in the guidebook, and we have seen how Atwood uses a range of poetical techniques to provide the reader a rich and memorable experience. In conclusion, the poem "This is a Photograph of Me " is strong and important, and it still has an impact on readers today. We are encouraged by this poem to consider our own identities, our memories, and the ways in which history is written down and remembered. THARSHINI MAHENTHIRAN (012021071761)24
We would like to add that the poem can also be viewed as a reflection on the nature of photography itself, in addition to the themes and interpretations explored in the guidebook. Atwood suggests that images are not necessarily reliable representations of reality. They may be faked, misrepresented, or even modified. CONCLUSION As a result, we need to be critical of the images we see and to be aware of the ways in which they can be used to shape our understanding of the world. THARSHINI MAHENTHIRAN (012021071761)25
We hope that this guidebook has helped you to appreciate the richness and complexity of Margaret Atwood' s poem "This is a Photograph of Me. " We encourage you to continue to re-read and reflect on the poem, and to discover your own interpretations of its meaning. CONCLUSION THARSHINI MAHENTHIRAN (012021071761)26
REFERENCES -https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46479/not-waving-but-drowning https://www.litcharts.com/poetry/margaret-atwood/this-is-a-photograph-ofme#:~:text=The%20speaker%20of%20the%20poem,is%20also%20pictured%2C%20b arely%20perceivable.t https://edubirdie.com/examples/understanding-of-this-is-a-photograph-of-me-poem/ Kumar, D. (2023). This is a photograph of me by Margaret Atwood. Poem Analysis. https://poemanalysis.com/margaret-atwood/this-is-a-photograph-ofme/#:~:text=Margaret%20Atwood's%20'This%20Is%20a,Circle%20Game%2C%20publis hed%20in%201964. https://www.litcharts.com/poetry/margaret-atwood/this-is-a-photograph-of-me https://poets.org/poem/photograph-me https://interestingliterature.com/2020/12/margaret-atwood-this-is-a-photograph-ofme-analysis/amp/ https://owlcation.com/humanities/poetry-analysis-margaret-atwoods-this-is-aphotograph-of-me-2 27
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