Key information

• Poet: Imtiaz Dharker (1954–)
• Year: 2014
• Form: Free verse
• Key techniques: Metaphor, allusion, personification

About the poet

Imtiaz Dharker is a British-Pakistani poet and artist born in Lahore, raised in Glasgow, and settled in London. Her multicultural background deeply influences her poetry and her common focal points of belonging, borders, and the intersections of cultures. Her poetic and documentary works frequently challenge societal norms, especially regarding gender, religion, and power structures.

Historical context

This poem was written 100 years after the beginning of the First World War. Hence, as per its title, it is reflecting on the extent to which the world and violent human conflict has changed one century later. It also focuses on the attempted assassination of Malala Yousafzai in 2012 for advocating for girls’ rights to education. Malala survived a gunshot to the head and became a global symbol of resistance for her continued activism, becoming the youngest person to ever win a Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.

Literary context

Dharker is known for poems that straddle personal and political themes, often focusing on identity, exile, and human rights. This poem also deals with the struggles of girls and women – a key concern in contemporary and feminist poetry.

Key ideas

• Resistance and revolution
• Political conflict
• Empowerment and autonomy
• Transformation through trauma
• Futility of violence
• Bravery in the face of adversity