Both poems focus on the idea of ​​identity, but the meaning and structure of the poems are very different; PFMAIP ("Presents from my Aunts in Pakistan") is very explicit about the author's feelings, while in AUG ("An Unknown Girl") the reader has to infer more to know her feelings. Precisely this I think represents the fact that in the first poem (PFMAIP) she is younger – more open, whereas in AUG she is a young adult so she is less clear about her feelings. There are some similarities in the way the poet presents identity in the poems, for example at the end of both the writer is still unresolved about her identity, also in both the poet is described as an outsider or an outcast: never quite sure from what angle she is telling her poem/story. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay In "An Unknown Girl" Alvi often uses repetition throughout the book. This places emphasis on the title and the phrase "An Unknown Girl". The sentence quoted above connects to the fact that Alvi is not sure of her identity. I also think this sentence shows how intimate henna is: even though this girl is "unknown" to her, she is sitting incredibly close to tattooing her semi-permanently or "freezing her hand." This is the contrast between the people mentioned in "Gifts from my aunts in Pakistan" where the people mentioned are familiar like his "aunt Jamila" and "the schoolmate". This could also show the change in the company as it is more senior in AUG than in PFMAIP. I think what this particular contrast says about his view of identity is that when you're younger identity is more of a physical thing, like clothes or "striped bracelets," whereas when you're older it's something you can't touch - it's an idea and it's harder to explain or show, I think that's why the continued use of henna is actually a metaphor for all of AUG for its connection to India- henna is described as “brown veins” which says it is as much a part of her as her blood. However, in both poems there is the theme of not belonging; whether it's expressed as "alien" in a "living room" or whether it's expressed as mannequins "leaning in and staring at her." This is constantly confirmed by the fact that she feels "on fire" or "in costume" when trying on Pakistani clothes. The poet is trying to show how identity is about belonging or not belonging. There is a lot of emphasis on the contrast between Pakistan (which would become part of India) and England, such as "Marks & Spencers cardigans" being very different from "a peacock blue salwar kameez". The use of the word "alien" is a smart choice because if you are a foreigner in some countries they call you an alien; both poems are based on the idea of ​​being foreign or having parents of different ethnicities. Starting from dual nationality, which is one of the main themes of the poems, she presents being an outcast from both her cultures. In both poems it seems like she has different views on which one she would like to immerse herself in but whether she likes it or not, both cultures will always be a part of her. In August he talks about "scraping away" the "dry brown lines," but after continuing "the amber bird underneath will be revealed as soft as a snail's trail." I think this is all a metaphor for the fact that she can't remove her legacy and that it will always be a part of her. The peacock is a sign of new life - a new beginning in India which also confirms the feeling that one cannot remove one's past or one's heritage - because this identity seems to be presented as something you can change and shape - but only for a certain measure. He then speaks’…