A full line by line analysis, including tone and themes, of the poem An African Elegy by Ben Okri for Grade 12 NSC examinations in English Home Language.
Poet: born in Nigeria, African poet. Wrote about the African experience – time period – early 70’s
and 80’s – time when African people were really poverty-stricken, so he wrote about the struggles of
the African people.
Elegy: normally something that is very mournful – to commemorate someone who has died, but
there is nothing mournful about this poem. Despite the pain and suffereing, the African people have
this sense of resilience – they are able to overcome their situation – they have hope that something
better is near (this is what makes them unique)
The poem is not mournful – more reflective and thoughtful.
The poet constantly juxtaposes good and bad/positive and negative diction
Line 1: we – poet is drawing the reader into the statement, as if we become part of it – we are also
the miracles that god made. Miracles – birth of the African people is miraculous – despite their
suffering and circumstances, they still emerge positive and happy. god made – tone of celebration –
celebrating that god has indeed created them.
Line 2: poet is alluding that despite god created them, he has made them to experience unpleasant
experiences – paradox to line 1. Bitter fruit – oxymoron – the African experience is both good and
bad. Time – capital letter – relates to us the good and bad experiences – there will be a period of
time where we will experience something bad but there will als be a time when we overcome it.
Line 3: sense of optimism and hope. It reminds us that there is a sense of spirituality happening,
lending itself to hope. Something positive is about to happen
Line 4, 5: one day, will turn – this pain and suffering will not last forever, it will turn into something
better. Metaphor – it will turn into the wonders of the earth. Wonder – direct relation to miracles –
something positive – good diction. Their suffering will turn into something amazing.
Stanza 2:
Line 6: burns – something that hurts you and leaves a scar – it reminds you of your bad experiences.
Now – present tense – this bad experience is happening currently – negative
Line 7: golden & burn – contrast. Golden – something beautiful- the hardship is temporary; it allows
them to grow into something better (golden) this bad experience will be memorable to them – they
will learn from it.
Line 8: poet brings in a rhetorical question – it could be sarcastic, but more so, he is saying that there
is a mystery to their pain – they are able to dream of a better future despite their circumstances. Our
– all the people of Africa
Line 9: bear – something burdensome. Poverty – their pain and suffering. They are able to endure
this pain and poverty.
Line 10: when they are able to bear the poverty, they are able to sing and have GOOD dreams
(sweet things). Sweet things – reference to future. they are able to find the beauty in life despite
their suffering.
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