What is the theme of Johannesburg poem?
The theme of the poem is the oppression of individuals and the restriction of the movement of Black South Africans working in the cities, like that of Johannesburg.
What is City Johannesburg poem about?
The poem “City Johannesburg” is about the relationship between the speaker, an African man working in the urban area during the Apartheid era, and the city, Johannesburg. It emphasises the oppression and dehumanisation caused by the Apartheid system in the past.
What is the metaphor in the poem Johannesburg?
In conclusion, the metaphors in the poem combine with the global metaphorical construction to conjure up images of suffering, oppression, and as Johannesburg is known is known for its riches attributed to gold mining, the way it is described in this poem portrays the “feebleness/In [the] flesh, in [the] mind, [and] in …
When was the poem city Johannesburg written?
Written probably in 1971, and published in 1972 in Yakhal’Inkomo (the cry/bellow of cattle), “City Johannesburg” fascinates me because of the way in which it fuses politics and aesthetics: what is being said is astutely fused with how it is being said.
What is the tone of Johannesburg poem?
There is bitterness, hate and anger found as the theme. The life in Johannesburg is toned down in the poem as compared to the glamorous idea that many people in the rural areas perceive it. The poem will be discussed through diction, syntax, figures of speech and metonymy in the poem.
What are images in a poem?
About Imagery Imagery is the name given to the elements in a poem that spark off the senses. Despite “image” being a synonym for “picture”, images need not be only visual; any of the five senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell) can respond to what a poet writes.
What is the theme of the poem Johannesburg by Lesego Rampolokeng?
Lesego Rampolokeng’s poem Johannesburg, represents the city in its worst state, as a place where dreams die, and the reality of life is dark.
What are neon flowers?
Tiarella ‘Neon Lights’ tee-ar-EL-lah. This clump-forming variety has exquisitely textured, bright green maple-like leaves emblazoned with chocolate centers. In spring, its large pink-kissed-white flowers rebloom lightly on 16-inch stalks. Leaf coloration is best in cool weather.
How does the poet’s use of diction contribute to the meaning of the poem Johannesburg?
The poet uses diction (choice of words or phrases) to reinforce the theme of bitterness. The phrase ‘I can feel your roots, anchoring you might, my feebleness’ (line 31) is a diction to create the feeling of bitterness that this place has drained him and he is now weak.
Is vein of life a metaphor?
The speaker provides an image when hestates in the first and second line of stanza two; “traffic flowsin the sick, vein of life…”metaphorically and ironically that thousands of people are on this wide road like ahighway, as if they choose the easy way out which is not the ‘right way’ or the ‘righteous path’.
What are neon flowers in the city of Johannesburg poem?
There are several other striking examples of metaphor in the poem: the lights that light up the night-time city are described as “neon flowers” (line 24 and 26), which suggests their rich and vivid colours, while line 27 refers to “cement trees” (perhaps lamp posts).
How do you analyze a line by line poem?
- Try to figure out the meaning of the poem.
- Imagery is a common technique used by poets to get their meaning across.
- Look for symbols.
- Look at the poet’s choice of words.
- Determine the voice and tone of voice of the poem.
- Determine if the poem has a storyline.
- Look for a rhyme scheme.
- Determine the poem’s structure.
How do you analyze diction in a poem?
When analyzing diction, look for specific words or short phrases that seem stronger than the others (ex. Bragg’s use of slingshot instead of travel). Diction is NEVER the entire sentence! Also, look for a pattern (or similarity) in the words the writer chooses (ex.
What is Tissue about poem?
Human Power and Fragility. “Tissue” is about human power and fragility. The “Tissue” referred to in the title is, at the beginning at least, a reference to paper. The poem begins as a kind of hymn of praise to this material, before imagining what a human world made out of paper would be like.
What is the meaning of the poem City Johannesburg?
Regardless of the reading one would prefer, “City Johannesburg” is about Johannesburg during the apartheid era and the lyrical subject vividly describes how s/he experiences the city in this era of ethnic oppression. Line 1 introduces the lyrical subject’s purpose in the poem by stating “This way I salute you”.
What are the best lines in the poem Jo’burg city?
Lines 20 to 27 are noteworthy because the lyrical subject describes his/her experience of traveling to and from work: 21 At six in the morning and exhale from five noon. 22 Jo’burg City. 27 On your cement trees. The city is described as a cold, lifeless entity ironically personified and given “natural” attributes.
What is the poem City Johannesburg by Mongane Wally Serote?
In this poem there is imagery explain the lives of the miners, how they lived the “high life”, as previously mentioned. In “City Johannesburg” by Mongane Wally Serote, we also get a glimpse of urban decay, but from a black man’s perspective.
What is the central tenor of the poem “J Johannesburg”?
The title of the poem could be seen as the central Tenor, metaphorically specified by a number of underlying vehicle and/or metaphorical constructions, which all serve to illustrate the ambiguous relationship the lyrical subject has with the city Johannesburg.