This document is a summary of 'An African Elegy' by Ben Okri. The document includes analyses regarding each line, tone and mood, structure, themes, diction, imagery etc. Furthermore, a collection of contextual questions from past papers is included in the summary.
An African Elegy
“We are the miracles that God made” “To taste the bitter fruit of Time”
He acknowledges the power of God. Metaphor – Our experiences in life are
Respectful and spiritual tone. compared to bitter fruit. Just as we do not
“We” refers to the people of African like bitter fruit, so too do we dislike
descent/ The divine ancestors. bitter/painful experiences. God created
Africans are compared to ‘miracles… humans so that we could face good and
Time’ bad times. Death is a bitter fruit.
suggesting that Africans are in some
way chosen by God to bear suffering bitter fruit – Oxymoron - fruit are usually
and then be celebrated as ‘the wonders sweet. Life has not been sweet. They have
of the earth’ (line 5) for this unique endured pain, poverty, hardship and
ability. It shows an African’s unique slavery.
perspective of dealing with life.
“We are precious “There are things that burn me now
And one day our suffering Which turn golden when I am happy.”
Will turn into the wonders of the earth.”
Optimistic tone – message of hope. things that burn me now – Negative aspects
They must not despair. - convey suffering/ pain/ leaves scars. He is
experiencing pain and suffering at the
They are innocent people whose
moment (now)
suffering will one day change for
something amazing (wonders of the Which turn golden – positive aspects: these
earth). Their suffering will end and rare/ memorable/ precious moments.
when it ends, those who have endured Despite the hardships, he is able to find
it will be strengthened and be regarded happiness.
as “wonders”.
“Do you see the mystery of our pain?” “That we bear poverty
And are able to sing and dream sweet
things”
Rhetorical question conveys sarcasm. They have hope despite all the pain and
There is no mystery regarding the pain suffering. Despite the harsh living
of the African people. conditions, poverty and pain, they are still
able to dream and sing of better things.
you – refers to those who live in luxury
Feeling of optimism.
in developed countries. They are
oblivious to the pain and suffering of
the African people. They have never
experienced the pain that is being
alluded to here, hence it is a “mystery”.
“And that we never curse the air when
it is warm… Or the lights that bounce
gently on the waters?”
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, “never curse the air when it is warm”
The rhetorical questions emphasise They do not complain when it is hot –
their self-contentment. They don’t take symbolic of negative experiences in their
things for granted. They cherish all the life.
things they have. They accept what is
good when it is given and enjoy the
moment.
“Or the fruit when it tastes so good” “lights that bounce gently on the waters”
It is obvious that nobody will complain Lights are symbolic of hope. They are able
about fruit that taste good. Emphasises to appreciate the simple things in life.
their acceptance of the good and bad Emphasises their contentment with the
without complaints. positive things
they have in life.
“We bless things even in our pain. “That is why our music is so sweet.
We bless them in silence” It makes the air remember.”
Bless and pain stand in contrast. They They live happily, despite their situation.
remain positive even though it is Hence, their music is “sweet” – no sorrow in
difficult. their music. Emphasises their self-
contentment. Their music hides their
“We bless them in silence” – refers to
suffering/pain. They are able to express
silent prayers. They pray silently for
themselves and their music is poignant.
what they have and hope for a better
tomorrow. They do not take for granted (Personification) It makes the air
what they are given. remember. Air is given the human
characteristic of remembering. They
The tone in these lines is appreciation.
They can focus on the good in the midst remember their past struggles, their
suffering and heartache.
of pain and poverty.
“There are secret miracles at work “I too have heard the dead singing”
That only Time will bring forth.”
“secret miracles” – miracles cannot be “dead” refers to his ancestors, deceased
explained. family and friends.
These miracles will be revealed at the The dead is personified. By giving them life,
appropriate moment (Time will bring he is implying that he has seen some of
forth). They are meant to happen at a these miracles. He is acknowledging that
particular place, at a particular time. one day he will understand the
secrets/miracles of life.
Time is capitalised, therefore it is
personified. The poet is emphasising
that life is a journey and nobody knows
when it will end. Despite the pain of
loss and suffering being experienced,
time will heal all wounds and they are
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