Telephone Conversation by Wole Soyinka

Q1. This poem is full of colours not just that of skin, what do you think these colours signify?

Throughout the story, the poet mentions about the " Red booth, Red pillar-box. Red double-tiered Omnibus squelching tar". This reflects anger of the persona as he was insulted by the racist landlady. This also is a comment on how the red items mentioned above are commonly available all over the world, giving a sense of equality. Ironically, the persona is not at all being treated fairly.

Q2. What does the dialogue in this poem reveal about these two characters?

Although the landlady is rich, she views the persona with contempt for his race. She openly insults him, hoping to prove that she is the superior. In contrast, although the persona is poor, he is well brought up compared to the rude land lady.

Q3. Who wins in the end?

The persona emerges as the winner in the end. He is able to give a fitting reply (along with a whole pile of sarcasm) to the land lady's outrageous remarks, showing her how ludicrous she is by holding on to outdated racist views.

Historical Background I

Slavery

a) When and how did slavery begin in the southern state?

Africans were being "imported" in the 16th century by the Spanish. The Southern state s only begun practising it in 1619 in Virginia.

b) Which country were the slaves brought from?

West and Central Africa.

c) Who traditionally bought and owned slaves?

Europeans such as the Spanish traditionally bought and owned slaves but soon it spread to the Southern States.

d) Were there laws/rules that the slaves had to abide by? If yes what were they?

Yes, there were. Slaves cannot fight back when their "masters" abuse them is one among others.

THE CIVIL WAR

a. Identify the Southern states.

Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas.

b.Who was the US president who proclaimed war against the South?

Abraham Lincoln.

c.Why was the civil war fought?

Eleven Southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America. A secession refers to the act of withdrawing from an organisation or union and refusing to adhere to the laws of that organisation or union. The Southern states relied heavily on slavery for their industries and when the Federal Government abolished slavery, the Southern states seceded.

d.When was the civil war fought?

It was fought from 1861 to 1865.

e.What was the outcome of this war?

The Southern States were defeated and 3.5 million African American slaves were released by Union armies.

JIM CROW LAWS

a. What/who is Jim Crow?
The origin of the phrase "Jim Crow" has often been attributed to "Jump Jim Crow", a song-and-dance caricature of African Americans which first surfaced in 1832. As a result of the song's fame, "Jim Crow" had become a pejorative expression meaning "African American" by 1838.

b.What were the Jim Crow laws?

Jim Crow laws allowed for segregation in businesses, neighborhoods, schools, and other facets of daily life. African Americans were forced to use separate sections of buses and trains, sit in separate sections of restaurants, and attend separate schools than white Americans.

E-learning Comic

Why did you choose the different pictures or background(s)?

There are four distinct backgrounds in the comic. The first one is the background of a bar. This was used to show that the man character has been drinking liquor. The second scene is that of a road. This was used to show the association between drunk driving and drunk flying. The third scene has the background of a clear blue sky, to show that it was taking place in the air. The fourth and final scene has the background of a cemetery, to show that the drunk bird had been hit by the plane and was deceased.

How do they contribute to the elements (plot, setting, characterization) of your narrative?

The bar illustrates very clearly that the main character had been drinking liquor. (Plot)

The final scene of the cemetery conveys the sombre and depressing outcome of drink driving, death.( Setting)

The blue bird is the reflection of the obstinate drivers who drink and drive, ultimately harming the people around them and themselves while driving. (Characterization)

How did you make use of the different elements to contribute to the theme you have chosen?

The plot is very striking as there is death involved to show the viewer the grim reality of drink driving.

The setting is also that of the very places where drink drivers will be, outlining the "process" of drink driving.The pub is where it all starts, followed by getting into your car and starting your engine, getting onto the open road, being hit or hitting someone else's vehicle and death.

Characterization of the blue bird as the drunk driver can show how ridiculous there are under the influence of alcohol and how logic eludes them after drinking.

Discrimination

Internal

Gender Discrimination: There is a misconception that males are more athletic than females.

Racial Discrimination: Activities of the Ku Klux Klan

Intelligence Discrimination: Elitist schools looking down on neighborhood

Appearance Discrimination: Fat persons are classified as ugly by society.

Disability Discrimination: Their needs are neglected by society.

Nationality Discrimination: Intense hate between Russians and Americans during the Cold War.

External

Sexual Orientation Discrimination: Homosexuals are ostracized by society.

Religious Discrimination: The Crusades against Muslim lands.

Job Discrimination: Junk collectors are looked down and despised by society

Political Discrimination: Supporters of political parties are targeted with violence.

Wealth Discrimination: The Nazi Party targeted the rich and successful Jewish people.

Shel Silverstein Poems

The Little Boy and the Old Man

1. What is the underlying message that is being conveyed in this poem?

The underlying message of this poem is that the youth and elderly of our society is being neglected even though they have valid needs. They require the care and concern of adults. However, the adults are tied down due to commitments to their jobs and too busy to pay attention to them.

2.Has Shel Silverstein used any particular poetic technique that brings out this message more clearly?

Shel Silverstein has managed to use dialogue and repetition to bring out the message more clearly. Dialogue is used through out the poem to give a human touch to this issue. Repetition is used to draw an interesting parallel between the needs of a young child and that of an old man.

Messy Room

1.Can you say the poem is humorous? If so how?

Yes, you can say that. The persona criticized the general untidiness of the room, noting how stuff was strewn everywhere. However, it is later shown that this is the room of the persona, and hilarity ensues when the persona realizes this.The exaggerated manner of which the persona's personal belongings, such as "..underwear hanging on the lamp" and "..workbook wedged in the window" also makes the poem both outrageous and funny.

2.What aspect of the human character has been highlighted in this poem?
What the poet is trying to highlight is the fact that humans are quick to blame and criticize others while not first taking a good look at one self. In a sense, we are blind to our own faults and we focus solely on the errs of others.

3.Cloony The Clown

1.Explain the irony in this poem.

Cloony is a clown. His job requires him to make people laugh. He fails miserably at doing this and therefore could not make much money. He is down on his luck and out of money. He cannot take the burden of his misery,pain and "darkness in his soul". He decides to "relieve" himself by telling it to his audience, expecting sympathy and kind words. The irony is that the audience instead howl laughter. Cloony goes around the world with this act, making tons of money and gaining fame in the process. Sadly, another irony is that even though Cloony is rich and famous, he is still depressed, broken and alone inside.

2.Does Shel Silverstein manage to convey some harsh realities in this poem?

Yes, he is able to convey some harsh realities. One of them is that we really like to laugh at the misery of others, reveling in their pain. Even when they protest at our laughter, we still carry on laughing, ignorant of their feelings deep down inside when we should be instead comforting or helping them in their time of trouble.

3.What poetic devices has the poet used to effectively convey his message?

The poet has used irony and contrast to effectively convey his message in an interesting manner.

Which of the above poems can you identify with the most?

I can identify the most with the poem "Messy Room". I have to admit that I am guilty of being "a pot calling a kettle black". I'm quick to point out the faults of others, even though I myself am committing them. GASP! THE HORROR. However, I have been improving, first asking myself what I would have done in their situation and also asking myself if I have commited any of the same mistakes.