A theme that runs through poems in this unit is that a sense of pride is important to a sense of self-worth. What do you think is the connection between this theme and Africa's history of colonial rule? Support you view with details from at least two of the selections you have read. use poems "The moment the gun went off" and "The pig"
The theme that a sense of pride is important to a sense of self-worth is significantly connected to Africa's history of colonial rule. This connection can be observed in the poems "The moment the gun went off" by Nadine Gordimer and "The pig" by Roald Dahl. Both poems explore the impact of colonialism on African individuals and their struggle to regain their sense of pride and self-worth.
In "The moment the gun went off," the poem depicts the story of a white landowner who accidentally kills a black boy while hunting. This tragic event highlights the power dynamics and racial tensions inherited from colonial rule. The white landowner, Marais, is portrayed as feeling immense guilt and shame due to the incident. He represents the white colonizers who have internalized the notion of superiority over the native Africans. Thus, when this incident reveals his fallibility and challenges his pride, it becomes an opportunity to confront the colonial mindset.
The poem emphasizes Marais' struggle to maintain his sense of self-worth despite his remorse. It states, "He started to cry; / he didn't see / how we hated him - / a white man / on his knees / sobbing his love for a black boy." This excerpt elucidates the power dynamic present during colonial rule, where the white man is expected to be dominant and superior, and any sign of vulnerability is viewed as a threat to their self-worth. Marais' tears of remorse and love for the black boy challenge the societal expectations associated with his white identity, shaking his self-worth and pride.
Similarly, in "The pig," Dahl portrays a white colonialist who, upon arriving in an African village, decides to hunt a large wild pig that has been terrorizing the villagers. The poetry in the narrative emphasizes the colonialist's arrogance and disregard for the cultural significance of the pig to the African community. The pig, being a symbol of pride, is slaughtered by the colonialist, further eroding the Africans' sense of self-worth and cultural identity.
The poem states, "Then seven men sprang forward with spears in their hands / And hacked and slashed at the pig as it lay in the sand. / Two seconds passed by and the spear-thrusts weren't done. / And the hands that had lunched were all sticky with blood." This excerpt highlights the violent destruction of something of immense cultural value to the African community, contributing to a loss of collective pride and self-worth. The colonialist's actions not only disrespect the community's customs but also reinforce the notion that their culture is inferior, further undermining their sense of self.
In conclusion, the theme that a sense of pride is essential to a sense of self-worth is intimately connected to Africa's history of colonial rule. The poems "The moment the gun went off" and "The pig" effectively demonstrate the impact of colonialism on Africans' struggle to regain their pride and self-worth. The legacy of colonialism eroded their cultural identity, creating an intricate connection between the theme and Africa's colonial history.