One of Pakistan's most important modern poets, Parveen Shakir adapted the age-old conventions of Urdu poetry to the experiences of a 20th Century woman, developing her own unique voice. While on leave from pursuing a degree in Public Administration at Harvard University, she was spending some time with her children in Pakistan when she was killed in a tragic traffic accident.
There are several additional websites on Parveen Shakir:
http://members.aol.com/nkhanani/parveen.html
Do BOTH parts A and B (in URDU):
A. Based on your reading of these two ghazals, and on the class discussion, write one paragraph on Parveen Shakir. What are the main characteristics of her style? What can you infer about her life and her experiences from her poetry?
B. Chose ONE of the two ghazals and write a short paragraph for EACH
of the couplets, interpreting its meaning in your own words.