Poem: “My Book”, by M. Xaba
This document contains an analysis of poetic devices found in the poem above
and they consist of: setting, figure of speech, tone, sound device, punctuation,
imagery and theme. The document provides suggested responses to UNISA
module ENG1501 assignment 01 (2024).
,SECTION A
This section is based on one’s perception of poetry. There is no clear cut or perfect
answer required. Your response only need to reflect and be true to the questions
asked. Let us look at question 1, for start.
1. “What does poetry mean to you?” Several answers could satisfy this question.
For example, do you see poetry as a form of art, where the writer uses words
creatively to convey a message? Or do you see it as a mode of communication that
a writer could use to express him/herself? We can think of a love poem that can be
used to express affection. In the same breath protest poetry also comes to mind,
where a writer can use poetry to speak against social injustice. Moving along,
another question says: “Do you like poetry?” Irrespective of whether you like it or
not, you still need to provide reasons why. Here responses can vary from: “it is
boring or simply complex”. On the contrary, perhaps you like it because it stimulates
your imagination as it uses metaphors to create mental pictures in the reader’s mind,
while also creating a musical effect through sound devices such as rhyme. Lastly,
“Do you think poems matter in society?” Let us place this on the current society,
dominated by the internet and social media. Are poems still relevant today when
people could simply express their views on personal blogs or platforms like
Facebook to reach a larger audience? On the other hand poems may matter
because they have the power to spark debates that can draw people from diverse
backgrounds to discuss issues affecting society. In addition, poems have an
economic value because poets can earn a living from their work.
2. The questions asked are based on the sections in Unit 2 of Tutorial Letter 501
(study guide) that you find interesting. I would presume that the lecture is of the view
that we all like poetry. Here you can choose one or more sections found in the unit,
where the following concepts are discussed: form, rhythm and rhyme, or imagery.
Reasons could vary. Say perhaps before doing this module you did not have a clear
understanding of the concept of imagery in the context of a poem, and now you do
because the imagery section in the study guide has provided you with the insight to
identify the use of imagery in a poem. This respond can be transferred and varied
depending on the concept you have chosen in Unit 2.
1
, 3. This question is more the opposite of question 2 above. In the same unit 2 you
now have to state the sections of poetry you find difficult to understand or did not
enjoy even.
SECTION B: POEM. “My Book”, by M, Xaba
It is important that we reproduce the poem here in order to make it easy for us to
identify the words and phrases we are referring to in the text. Following that I will
provide possible answers that could guide your response to questions set out in
assignment 1. Remember! Each time you use an example from the poem, reference
it by providing the line number from where the example is drawn. It is for this reason
I have numbered the lines of the poem, to simplify that purpose. NOTE! Do not
write the answers exactly as they are in your assignment as that would constitute
plagiarism.
1 My book has never been too tired to go to bed with me.
2 It never has a headache or needs downtime to discuss the day.
3 It never says: please not now, I’m not in the mood.
4 In fact my book seduces me with its spine
5 that beckons from the shelf, yearning for my touch.
6 When I reach out to hold it between my fingers
7 it eases into them, slide into my palm, yields to my gaze.
8 With tenderness it lays its pages bare for me
9 and speaks words that carry me through waves of emotions.
10 When my eyes won’t open and I am spent,
11 it rests right next to me, ready for the next round.
The questions from assignment 01 are also reproduced here, and they will be
followed by suggested answers.
1 Refer to lines one to three
1.1 In the first line of the poem, the poet’s diction illustrates the setting in
which the speaker finds herself. Based on the speaker’s description, write
one sentence in which you describe the setting of this scene and one
2
