Imtiaz Dharker, ‘These are the Times We Live in’ – Comprehensive Study Notes

Hello, Future Literature Experts! Get ready to dive into Imtiaz Dharker’s thought-provoking poem, ‘These are the Times We Live in’. This poem is especially relevant today because it talks about the confusion, uncertainty, and complexity of the modern world—something we all experience. We are going to break down the big ideas and the amazing language techniques used by Dharker, ensuring you are ready to answer any exam question!

Don't worry if this poem seems abstract at first. It doesn't tell a typical story; it paints a picture of a feeling—the feeling of living in uncertain times.

1. About the Poet and Context (Setting the Scene)

To fully appreciate the poem, we need to understand the poet’s perspective:

  • The Poet: Imtiaz Dharker (born 1954) is a contemporary poet, artist, and filmmaker. Her work often explores themes of home, identity, politics, and faith.
  • Global Identity: Dharker has lived and worked across several continents (Pakistan, Scotland, India). This gives her a powerful perspective on borders, cultural divides, and what it means to belong.
  • Context of the 'Times': The poem reflects life in the 21st century, dominated by rapid technological change, political instability, and information overload (the age of the internet and 'fake news').
Quick Review: Prerequisite Concepts

The poem is a social commentary. This means the poet is using the work to observe, criticise, and reflect on the society and world around them, often focusing on political or moral issues.

2. Summary and Content (AO1: What is the Poem Saying?)

The poem is essentially a meditation—a deep thought—on how difficult it is to hold onto simple truths when the world seems confusing.

Key Moments and Observations:
  • Opening Phrase: The repetitive phrase “These are the times we live in” anchors the poem, immediately establishing a tone of urgency and resignation (acceptance).
  • The Question of Truth: The speaker notes that things we rely on—like maps, which should be reliable—are being changed or contradicted. “The maps that are being redrawn” suggests political or social upheaval.
  • Loss of Definition: The poem questions basic definitions, such as what a 'border' truly means, or what constitutes 'here' and 'there'. The physical world seems to have lost its stability.
  • Digital Uncertainty: The poem includes images that relate directly to the digital age, suggesting that the truth is being hidden or distorted behind screens (“shadows”, “another room”).
  • Seeking Simplicity: The speaker seems exhausted by the confusion, searching for clear, simple answers, but finding only complexity.

Key Takeaway: On a literal level, the poem is about the chaos and political instability of the modern world, where reliable information and clear geographical lines are constantly shifting.

3. Key Themes and Ideas (AO2: The Deeper Meaning)

A. Uncertainty and Instability

This is the dominant theme. The speaker feels that nothing is certain, reliable, or fixed.

  • The world is portrayed as a place where the ground is shifting, which creates deep anxiety.
  • The uncertainty affects basic human trust. If you can’t trust a map or a definition, how can you trust people or institutions?
B. The Role of Borders and Identity

Given Dharker’s background, borders are not just lines on a map; they are lines of division, conflict, and personal identity.

  • Borders are not just geographical; they are conceptual (e.g., borders between right and wrong, truth and lies).
  • When Dharker says borders are “renegotiated in every room,” it suggests conflict is personal and domestic, not just international.
C. The Difficulty of Defining Truth

The poem expresses a modern worry: in the era of constant news and social media, how do we know what is real?

  • The poem suggests that 'truth' is often obscured by complexity and rhetoric.
  • The idea of a simple, undeniable fact is lost, replaced by multiple, confusing perspectives.

Analogy: Imagine the world is a complex jigsaw puzzle, but every time you try to put a piece in place, the shape of the puzzle changes. That’s the constant instability Dharker describes.

4. Structure, Form, and Language (AO3: Writer's Methods)

Dharker uses powerful literary techniques to convey the feeling of anxiety and fragmentation.

A. Structure and Form
  • Free Verse: The poem has no regular rhythm or rhyme scheme. This form mirrors the content—the lack of established structure reflects the chaos and lack of definition in the world being described.
  • Fragmentation and Enjambment: Many lines are short and jump abruptly to the next (enjambment). This gives the poem a breathless, urgent quality, suggesting the thoughts are racing or being broken off by anxiety.
  • Repetition: The use of “These are the times we live in” acts almost like a chorus, reinforcing the main idea and highlighting the speaker’s preoccupation with the present global state.
B. Poetic Language (Imagery and Sound)
Rhetorical Questions:

Dharker frequently poses questions without expecting an answer (e.g., “where is the line drawn now?”).

  • Effect: This directly involves the reader in the speaker’s confusion and highlights the unanswerable nature of these modern problems. It forces us to feel the uncertainty.
Metaphor and Symbolism:
  • Maps and Borders: These are central metaphors. Maps usually represent clarity and certainty. By showing them being “redrawn”, Dharker symbolizes political unrest, territorial disputes, and the constant reshaping of global power.
  • Shadows: Imagery like “shadows lengthen” and truth hiding in “another room” symbolizes deception, misinformation, and the fear that true reality is being concealed.
  • The Internet/Screens: Although not explicitly named, the mention of screens suggests the overwhelming and often deceitful flow of information we face daily.
Juxtaposition (Contrasting Ideas):

The poem often places simple, concrete terms next to abstract, confusing concepts. For instance, the simple idea of 'here' and 'there' is complicated by the shifting definitions of 'borders'.

🧠 Memory Trick: Dharker’s D’s

To remember Dharker’s methods, think of the three D's:

  1. Doubt: Conveyed through Rhetorical Questions.
  2. Disorder: Shown through Fragmentation and Free Verse structure.
  3. Definitions: Explored using the Metaphor of maps and borders.

5. Expressing a Personal Response and Exam Tips (AO4)

When writing about this poem in the exam, remember to link the methods (AO3) directly to the effect they have on you and the reader (AO4).

How to approach an exam question:
  • Start with the Emotion: What feeling does the poem evoke? (Anxiety, frustration, confusion, sympathy for the confused speaker).
  • Focus on Relevance: Explain why the themes of uncertainty and misinformation resonate with the “times we live in” (e.g., reflecting modern social or political turmoil).
  • Cite Fragmentation: Show how the broken lines make you feel unsettled, mirroring the chaotic world Dharker describes.
  • Evaluate the Imagery: Discuss how effective the metaphor of the redrawn maps is in making the abstract idea of political change seem real and dangerous.

Common Mistake to Avoid: Do not just list techniques! Instead, say: "Dharker uses rhetorical questions, which effectively creates a sense of universal doubt, making the reader feel directly involved in the speaker's confusion about defining truth."

Example Personal Response Starter:

“I find this poem particularly compelling because Dharker captures the modern phenomenon of information fatigue. The speaker’s desperate search for a clear definition (AO2) reflects my own experience of feeling overwhelmed by news and shifting facts (AO4). The lack of conventional rhyme scheme (AO3) successfully conveys this feeling of being off-balance.”

Key Takeaway for Exams: Show the examiner that you understand the poem is a commentary on anxiety and modernity, and that Dharker’s broken, questioning style is deliberate and highly effective.