Literature in English (0475) | Sampurna Chattarji, ‘Boxes’

Comprehensive Study Notes: Sampurna Chattarji, 'Boxes' (Songs of Ourselves Volume 2)

Welcome! This set of notes will help you master Sampurna Chattarji's fantastic poem, 'Boxes'. Don't worry if you find poetry tricky—this poem uses a simple, relatable image (a box!) to explore big ideas about identity, freedom, and the expectations placed upon us. By the end of this study guide, you'll be ready to analyze it brilliantly in your exam!

1. Overview and Context (AO1: Knowledge)

Did You Know? The Poet

Sampurna Chattarji is an Indian poet, novelist, and translator known for exploring complex human experiences, often through simple, everyday imagery. ‘Boxes’ is a great example of this, taking a common object and turning it into a powerful metaphor for life’s constraints.

What is the Poem About?

At its most basic, 'Boxes' is a catalogue (a list) of different types of boxes. However, the poem quickly transitions from physical boxes (like a matchbox) to metaphorical boxes—the boundaries, rules, and expectations that define, restrict, or sometimes protect people.

The central question the poem poses is: Are boxes necessary containers, or are they suffocating cages?

Key Takeaway

The poem uses the familiar image of a box to examine the tension between structure (safety, definition) and freedom (the need to break free and define oneself).

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2. Structure and Form (AO3: Methods)

The structure of the poem reflects its content. It is deliberately simple, yet unsettling.

A. Form and Length

• The poem is written in free verse. This means it has no regular rhyme scheme or meter (rhythm).
  Why does this matter? The lack of strict structure contrasts sharply with the theme of restriction and rules (the 'boxes'). It suggests a natural, conversational exploration of freedom.
• It is composed of one continuous block of text. This continuous flow emphasizes the constant presence of these constraints in our lives.

B. Use of Repetition (Anaphora)

The poet constantly uses the word 'box' or phrases like *'a box'* at the start of many lines (a technique called anaphora).

Example:
'a box that is a secret'
'a box that is a trap'
'a box that is the sky'

This repetition gives the poem a steady, almost overwhelming rhythm, highlighting how many different constraints we encounter every day.

C. The Analogy Trick: Literal vs. Metaphorical

To analyze this poem, you must recognize the shift between the literal and the abstract:

1. Literal Box (AO1): *Example: 'the matchbox'* (a real container).
2. Abstract/Metaphorical Box (AO2/AO3): *Example: 'a box of self'* (identity). The box is no longer physical, but an idea or a boundary.

Quick Tip: Look for the types of boxes the speaker mentions—some are comforting (*treasure chest*), and others are confining (*a secret, a trap*). This contrast is central to the poem’s meaning.

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3. Themes and Ideas (AO2: Understanding)

The poem explores several universal issues relevant to human concern (as required by the syllabus).

Theme 1: Identity and Self-Definition

The poem is deeply concerned with how we define ourselves and how others define us.

• The 'box of self' is our core identity—who we believe we are.
• The 'boxes' of gender, class, or expectation are forced upon us by society. The speaker feels that these roles are restrictive, suggesting that true selfhood is often found *outside* these labels.
• Encouraging Phrase: Think of your social media profiles. You have to 'box' yourself into a category (student, gamer, artist). Chattarji is asking what happens when you want to be all those things, and none of them, at the same time!

Theme 2: Restriction and Freedom

This is the core tension of the poem. While some boxes offer safety (a 'treasure chest'), most feel like a burden.

• The poem describes the feeling of being *locked in* (*'a trap'*) and the desperate, urgent need to escape these constraints (*'the need to break out'*, *'the need to breathe' *).
• The poem suggests that the most dangerous boxes are the ones we create for ourselves—our own limiting beliefs or fears.

Theme 3: The Power of Language and Labels

The poem highlights how words themselves can be 'boxes'—labels that limit people. When someone is called 'lazy' or 'talented', that word becomes a box that determines how they are seen and how they act.

The speaker is constantly trying to redefine the box, attempting to use language to liberate, rather than limit.

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4. Language and Poetic Devices (AO3: Methods)

To score high marks, you must analyze *how* Chattarji uses language to achieve her effects.

1. Central Metaphor and Symbolism

The box is the primary symbol. Its meaning is constantly fluid and changing, forcing the reader to think deeply.

• The box is sometimes small and tangible (*'matchbox'*), emphasizing that restrictions can start small but still be suffocating.
• The box expands to be vast and abstract (*'a box that is the sky'*). This image is oxymoronic (contradictory): the sky is the ultimate symbol of freedom, yet it is still framed or 'boxed' by the limits of our perception or experience.

2. Sensory Imagery

Chattarji uses imagery related to constraint and suffocation to evoke strong emotional responses (AO4).

• The use of words like 'suffocating' and 'breathe' appeals to our sense of air and space, making the constraints feel physically painful.
• The image of the 'treasure box' uses sight and feeling, evoking nostalgia and preciousness—a reminder that some boundaries (like memory) are valuable.

3. Juxtaposition (Contrasting Ideas)

The poem works by constantly placing contrasting ideas side-by-side.

Example: The difference between a 'box of self' (internal identity) and a 'box of others' (external judgment). This juxtaposition shows the conflict between our inner desires and outer societal pressure.

4. Alliteration and Sound

Listen for subtle sound patterns, such as alliteration, which draws attention to important phrases.

Example: *'breaking boundaries'* or *'safe, simple sentence'*—these repetitive sounds emphasize the act of either restricting or freeing oneself.

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5. Key Quotations and Analysis (AO1 & AO4)

Use these quotations to support your argument in the exam.

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6. Exam Focus: Common Mistakes and Study Tips

Common Mistake to Avoid!

Students often focus too much on the literal interpretation.
Correction: Always move quickly from the *physical* box (matchbox, treasure chest) to the *metaphorical* meaning (identity, expectation, memory). Show the examiner you understand the symbolism (AO2/AO3).

How to Structure Your Response (AO4: Personal Response)

When answering a question on 'Boxes', organize your points around the conflict:

1. Introduction: Define the central metaphor—the box as a symbol of restriction and definition. State your overall interpretation (your personal response).
2. Body Paragraph 1 (AO2): Discuss the *negative* boxes (trap, secret, societal roles) and the theme of **restriction/suffocation**. Use quotes demonstrating fear and the 'need to break out'.
3. Body Paragraph 2 (AO2): Discuss the *positive/complex* boxes (treasure chest, memory) and the theme of **security/identity**. Show that not all boundaries are bad.
4. Body Paragraph 3 (AO3): Analyze the poet's methods—focus on juxtaposition (contrasting images), repetition, and the impact of the free verse form.
5. Conclusion: Summarize how the poet uses this everyday object to explore universal human struggles with freedom and definition.

You’ve got this! By analyzing the 'box' as a dynamic symbol, you unlock all the layers of meaning in Chattarji’s poem. Good luck!