sample activity of integration on LSC S1:Poetry: African themes

Poets are sometimes called the conscience of a nation. They write about the society they live in. They write about memories, pain, sorrow, love, hate, anger, happiness and their hopes for the future. They also express criticism of their society. This includes criticism of how their country is managed, or how
children are treated.

Read these lines about children’s fears of the man who ill-treats their mother.
The children crouch, too scared to move, Four dark pools of eyes that know, Clutching hands beneath the table, Watchful eyes, fearing to disapprove. Mother cowers, fears the next blow … If they could help … if they were able …

1 What societal problem is revealed in this poem?
2.How many children are there in the room?
3.Why do they not help their mother?
4.What is the rhyme scheme in this poem?
5.Write a paragraph of six lines about the lines of poetry. Do the lines affect you in any way? Do you think reading the lines will make people more .sensitive to domestic violence?
6.Write your own short poem about something you want to comment
about in your society.

Summary of key concepts
In this chapter, you have learnt to:
1.Think critically about what is unique about African poetry.
2.Use your knowledge of poetic features to analyse poetry written by people
from Africa.
3.Compare poems with similar themes.
4.Analyse and articulate your own response to a poem.
5.Write a short poem of your own, expressing your feelings about a topic, or an event in your life.