Topic > Exploration of the idea of ​​identity in “An Unknown Girl” and “Night”

Identity and discovery are two main themes within the lyrics of “An Unknown Girl” poem “Night”. The authors, Moniza Alvi who wrote “An Unknown Girl” and Alice Munro who wrote “Night”, manage to represent these two themes through a great variety of literary devices and lexical choices. Alvi uses a collection of jubilant and captivating words to draw the reader into an intriguing yet colorful and lively environment. On the other hand, Munro creates a disconcerting atmosphere to portray the narrator's search for identity through language, structure, and literary devices. One way that discovery is represented in Unknown Girl is by experiencing all of her ancestral culture that she had missed while living in England. Being originally from Pakistan but raised in the UK, Alvi feels like a tourist and this idea of ​​discovering a new and ancient culture comforts her as metaphorically said "For the fabric of the curtains and the fabric of the sofa I have new brown veins." this metaphor from the poem strongly suggests strong emotions of desire and the new identity that Alvi is discovering, in particular "canopy", a word usually used to suggest something large that covers and protects, which can easily be applied to the feeling of comfort that Alvi feels towards him. uncovered environment. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Even the expert against the unknown has a powerful contribution to the discovery of a new culture like “an unknown girl is putting henna on my hand” Alvi manages to portray the narrator's feelings as he hears “a line wet brown” touching her hand for the first time. This creates a great contrast with the unknown girl who is distant and disconcerting yet so real and close to the “henna on my hand”. “frost my hand” which the word “frosting” could mean something cold that connotes a distant feeling or in this case a newly discovered emotion The use of repetition further contributes to this idea of ​​an unknown discovery by repeating the phrase “one stranger is putting henna on my hand” which can be seen as an oxymoron as the narrator finds it difficult to grasp the idea of ​​this mystifying entity, so far and unknown and yet doing something so real, emotional and intimate. Throughout the poem the setting is a neon bazaar, but towards the end of the poem, when the narrator leaves India and the neon bazaar, she comes to the realization of the feelings she has discovered, as a once unknown place suddenly becomes a place he can identify with. as when he leaves his thoughts are “I will lean across a country with hands outstretched longing for the unknown girl In the neon bazaar.” The discovery of what has been lost plays an important role in both texts. “Unknown Girl” portrays loss much differently than “Night.” In “An Unknown Girl” the idea of ​​discovering something lost runs through the entire poem showing some scenes that portray Westernization, and one particular section that emphasizes this loss of culture is “The mannequins in the shop windows lean and stare with their Western perms. ” where the use of personification of mannequins almost as if they come to life has the effect of empowering Western objects; leading to the loss of cultural identity and traditions. This is where the narrator struggles to discover traditions and cultures. Another section that emphasizes the loss is: “longing for the unknown girl” here the loss of the girl has a great impact on the narrator as he saw this girl asa way to reconnect with his lost culture by connecting with this beacon of hope; the “Unknown Girl”. “Desire” connotes discomfort in his new situation and wants to return to the “unknown girl.” A new found identity is evoked by both authors in both texts, but each represents it differently. “An Unknown Girl” portrays the discovery of an old identity that blossomed within the narrator, after an unforgettable experience. A subtle metaphor, "when India appears and reappears", is used when the narrator tries to grasp the ancient culture she has rediscovered. The narrator welcomes her new identity that she has discovered with "outstretched hands", this also directly refers to the discovery of what has been lost and the unknown girl who then receives the title of "An Unknown Girl". “Night,” although having a darker vibe than “An Unknown Girl” still shares the theme of discovery, more specifically; reaching adulthood. Night tells the story of a young girl who has undergone a surgery that traumatized her, some years later, when her state of mind is changing and she is becoming a woman, she goes through many different emotions and feelings that affect her state mental and guide her through absurd ideas that throw her into a difficult time. Coming of age can be a scary and difficult experience to overcome. The narrator is played by Munro as a young adult who is overwhelmed by the discovery of her new character, but doesn't know it yet. “I wasn't myself. "This short sentence presents an arduous discovery as she stumbles upon trying to find her new self. The narrator continues to be "more disturbed" by the "inability to fall asleep" as she tries to find justifications, until "Think again." , a short powerful sentence that suggests that the narrator has come to the realization that she is as ill as she is I don't know what was happening to her. The extract then extends into short paragraphs and sentences that suggest a flow of thoughts as she tries to get through this period of her life. As in “An Unknown Girl,” “Night” also faces the unknown, when the narrator's father questions her problem with twisted thoughts and sleep disorders she explicitly responds with “I didn't know.” This short sentence underlines how perplexed the character is towards his new and unknown emotions. In “Night” the loss is represented in a series of short sentences: “The thought was there and hanging in my mind” and “Could you say why not?” . Why not experience the worst." These short phrases evoke the slow loss of childhood and the relaxed life of not worrying about anything you experienced as a child. “The thought that I might strangle my sister” for reasons unknown but perhaps out of jealousy for the little sister who had a wonderful and pleasant childhood; everything he lost. In "Night" her new identity is maturing into a young woman. This coming of age was the main cause of her discomfort and disorders since she says "My problems obviously return at night" this also suggests that it is a mental problem since during the night she is alone and thinks about herself . Towards the end, the narrator finally comes to the realization and discovery of what he was feeling. “From then on I could sleep. Here too, a short phrase is used to explicitly emphasize the narrator's doubts about his well-being and the fearful thoughts he had about adulthood; this creates a strong, close bond with the reader. Munro uses short sentences throughout the poem to express himself explicitly, making the text very powerful and almost like a set of instructions and advice on how to.