A detailed line-by-line analysis of a Grade 12 IEB 2025 poem, providing in-depth insights to ensure complete understanding and aid in exam preparation.
Each of us
Is a passenger
seated in one huge
compartment
going we do not know where
all strangers
thrown together by chance
who travel without arriving;
Who can read the whispers
of your mind
when they are hidden
even from you?
Though you open a window
in the chambers of your heart
though you strive to say
what you feel
and in striving reach
a state of understanding
there is still one part
one small part
that remains your own
one part
that neither I nor anyone else
will ever penetrate.
Forever strangers.
, - This opening line creates inclusivity, addressing
humanity as a collective.
- The pronoun "us" immediately establishes a sense of
Each of us unity, implying that everyone shares the same journey.
- The absence of elaborate imagery leaves the meaning
open to interpretation.
- The metaphor of being a "passenger" suggests that life
is akin to a journey, one where individuals are not in
control of their destination.
- It conveys a passive role, emphasizing how external
Is a passenger forces dictate the course of existence.
- The indefinite article "a" highlights the individual’s
anonymity among the masses.
- The line subtly introduces the theme of existential
uncertainty.
- The phrase "seated in one huge" continues the journey
metaphor, evoking an image of a vast, shared space.
- "Huge" suggests the immense scale of humanity’s
seated in one huge collective experience.
- The enjambment, where the thought spills over into the
next line, builds anticipation and mirrors the ongoing
nature of life’s journey.
- The absence of punctuation allows for seamless flow.
- "Compartment" narrows the vastness described earlier,
suggesting both physical and emotional confinement.
- It underscores the shared yet isolated nature of human
existence people are together in the same
compartment "compartment" but remain strangers.
- This juxtaposition deepens the theme of alienation. The
single word, set apart, gains weight and invites
reflection.
- This line captures existential uncertainty, emphasizing
humanity’s lack of knowledge about life’s ultimate
destination.
- The phrase "do not know where" conveys confusion and a
going we do not know where sense of helplessness.
- The absence of commas reflects the continuity of life’s
unknown path.
- The line’s rhetorical quality invites introspection about
the human condition.
- This phrase is stark and direct, reinforcing the theme
of alienation.
- The repetition of "all" intensifies the collective nature
all strangers of the experience.
- The absence of connection among the "strangers" is
significant, reminding the reader that human
interaction often lacks depth.
- The phrase stands alone, mirroring its isolating
sentiment.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller iebsummaries. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $4.12. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.