A theme that runs through the 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 your view with details from at least two of the selections you have read.
The connection between the theme of pride and Africa's history of colonial rule is that the colonial powers sought to strip Africans of their sense of pride and self-worth. In Chinua Achebe's "Refugee Mother and Child," the mother is described as having "a proud and stoic bearing" despite her difficult circumstances, which suggests that she is still clinging to her sense of pride and self-worth. Similarly, in "The Song of Lawino," Lawino speaks of how her husband has been "brainwashed" by the colonial powers, and how they have tried to make him forget his African heritage and culture. This suggests that the colonial powers were attempting to strip Africans of their sense of pride and identity. Both of these poems demonstrate how the colonial powers sought to undermine the pride and self-worth of Africans, and how this has had a lasting impact on African culture and identity.
The connection between the theme of pride and Africa's history of colonial rule can be seen in two poems from this unit: "A Far Cry From Africa" by Derek Walcott and "Africa" by David Diop.
In "A Far Cry From Africa," Derek Walcott explores the dilemma of an individual torn between his African heritage and his allegiance to the colonial power. The poem reflects on the violence and bloodshed that occurred during the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya against British colonial rule. Walcott's portrayal of this internal conflict highlights the struggle for self-identity and the importance of pride in one's heritage. He describes this pride as a "clean pride" that cannot be tainted by colonization. The speaker's realization that "I who am poisoned with the blood of both, where shall I turn ...unless I turn to Africa?" suggests that reclaiming a sense of pride and connection to Africa becomes essential for self-worth, particularly in the face of colonial oppression.
Similarly, in "Africa" by David Diop, the theme of pride and self-worth is closely tied to Africa's history of colonial rule. The poem represents a call for Africans to rise up and reclaim their identity, culture, and history as a means to restore their dignity. Diop uses powerful imagery such as "a fallen female carcass" and "dead woman in the sky" to symbolize the state of Africa under colonial domination, emphasizing the loss of pride and self-worth. However, he also depicts a sense of resilience and determination, urging Africans to unite and "rise up with pride."
Overall, both poems illustrate the connection between the theme of pride and Africa's history of colonial rule. They emphasize the importance of reclaiming a sense of pride in one's heritage as a means to restore self-worth and counteract the negative effects of colonization on African identity.
To understand the connection between the theme of pride and Africa's history of colonial rule in the poems, we need to analyze specific details from two selections you have read. Let's start with identifying the examples that showcase this theme.
For this analysis, it would be helpful if you could provide me with the titles or excerpts of the poems you have read in this unit.
Once I have that information, I can examine the poems for instances where the theme of pride intersects with Africa's history of colonial rule. I will look for any textual references that explicitly highlight the importance of pride in the face of colonial oppression. These references could encompass a range of ideas, such as cultural preservation, resistance movements, or acts of reclaiming identity. By analyzing the specific examples in the poems, we can establish a stronger connection between the theme of pride and Africa's history of colonial rule.
Additionally, it's worth considering the historical context surrounding the poets themselves. Exploring the poets' backgrounds and experiences can help shed light on how their work reflects the struggle for pride and self-worth in the face of colonialism.
Please provide the titles or excerpts from the poems, and I will help you further by analyzing those specific texts to build connections between the theme of pride and Africa's history of colonial rule.