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ENG2603 ASSIGNMENT 01 YEAR MODULE 2024 (575601) (Poetry)
- Institution
- University Of South Africa (Unisa)
ENG2603 ASSIGNMENT 01 YEAR MODULE 2024. The Slave Dealer (Thomas Pringle).
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FULL NAMES:STUDENT NUMBER:
UNIQUE NUMBER: 575601
MODULE CODE: ENG2603
MODULE NAME: COLONIAL AND POSTCOLONIAL
AFRICAN LITERATURES
ASSIGNMENT: 01
DUE DATE: 10 MAY 2024
, Question 2: Poems from The Century of South African Poetry by Michael J. F.
Chapman
2. The slave dealer in the poem is haunted by his immoralities and the role he
played in the slave trade. Discuss the ways in which the poet reveals the slave
dealer’s torment and turmoil and indicate whether or not the religion of
Christianity is depicted in the poem as supportive of slavery.
In Thomas Pringle's poem "The Slave Dealer," the torment and turmoil of the slave
dealer are vividly depicted through various literary devices and themes. One notable
aspect is the physical transformation of the protagonist, described as a Wanderer with
a "visage tanned and dun" and a frame altered by the "ill course he had run." This
physical alteration serves as a metaphor for the moral decay and spiritual deterioration
resulting from his involvement in the slave trade. The poet portrays the protagonist as
a tormented soul haunted by his past actions, unable to find solace or redemption.
Despite his mother's attempts to turn his heart to good, he remains consumed by "hot
fever" in his blood and "dark thoughts" in his brain, indicating a profound internal
struggle and psychological turmoil.
The poem highlights the futility of attempts to quell the Wanderer's torment. Even when
he momentarily softens, perhaps influenced by his mother's prayers, his moments of
calm are fleeting, quickly overtaken by "visions wild" that "scare good thoughts away."
This cyclical pattern underscores the depth of his psychological torment and the
inescapable grip of his guilt.
The Wanderer's confession reveals the brutality of his actions and the profound impact
they have had on his soul. He vividly describes the bloodshed caused by the "gory
lash" and the lasting stain of "murder's dye" on his conscience. The repetition of the
phrase "With every stroke I left a gash" emphasizes the cumulative weight of his sins,
each blow leaving an indelible mark on his soul.
In examining the portrayal of Christianity in the poem, it is important to consider the
role of religion in shaping the protagonist's moral conscience and understanding of
redemption. While Christianity is depicted as a source of comfort and solace for the
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