The grieved lands of Africa
by Agostinho Neto
Subject: Literature-in-English
Theme: POETRY
Topic: The grieved lands of Africa by Agostinho Neto
Sub Topic:
Date: dd/mm/yyyy
Class: S.S 2
Average Age: 15 years and above
Duration: 35 Minutes
No of Learners: 40
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the lesson learners should be able to:1. Explain the Background of the Poet
Agostinho Neto was born on 17th September 1922 and died on 10th September 1979. He was born in Bengo province, Angola. His father was a Methodist pastor and a professor. His mother was a teacher. Agostinho was a catholic and at 25 years in 1947, saved money and left for Portugal to study medicine at the university of Lisbon. He returned in Angola in 1959 and continued in his works as a doctor.Meanwhile, movement for the liberation of Angola (MPLA) was formed in 1956. He arrested and imprisoned several times for his political activities to help is country gain independence from Portugal. Neto became the newly independent Angola’s first president in 1975.
The only public university Angola (university of Luauda) honoured Neto in 1955 by changing its name to the Universidad Agostinho Neto. Neto’s birthday is a public holiday in Angola, and he is known as the father of modern Angola. Neto was married with three children in 1979 he died in Moscow while undergoing treatment for cancer.
2. Explain the Background of the Poem
Agostinho's “The Grieved Lands of Africa" addresses the traumatic impact of servitude in African after over four hundred years of human slavery during which many Africans were exported to different parts of the world ranging from the UK (Britain, Scotland, Whales, Northern Ireland) to Americas (both North and South)which include, US, Mexico and so on. The poem also explores the subjugation of foreign culture alongside its outrageous experiences of domination and exploitation of African resources by Adventurists for over a hundred years of colonization in which many got independence through negotiations but some like Angola; the poet country got theirs through war.
3. Recite the poem
THE GRIEVED LANDS OF AFRICA
The grieved lands of Africa
In the tearful woes of ancient and modern slave
In the degrading sweat of impure dance
Of other seas
Grieved
The grieved lands of Africa
In the infamous sensation
Of the stunning perfume of the Flower
Crushed in the forest
By the wickedness of iron and fire
The grieved lands
The grieved lands of Africa
In the dream soon undone in jinglings of jailer's keys
And in the stifled laughter and victorious voice of laments
And in the unconscious brilliance of hidden sensations
Of the grieved lands of Africa
Alive
In themselves and with us alive
They bubble up in dreams
Decked with dances by baobabs over balances
By the antelope
In the perpetual alliance of everything that lives
They shout out the sound of life
Shout it
Even the corpses thrown up by the Atlantic
In putrid offering of incoherence
And death and in the clearness
Of rivers
They live
The grieved lands of Africa
In the harmonious sound of consciences
Contained in the honest blood of men
In the strong desire of men
In the sincerity
In the pure and simple rightness of the stars’
Existence
They live
The grieved lands of Africa
Because we are living
And are imperishable particles
Of the grieved lands of Africa.
Agostinho Neto
The grieved lands of Africa
In the tearful woes of ancient and modern slave
In the degrading sweat of impure dance
Of other seas
Grieved
The grieved lands of Africa
In the infamous sensation
Of the stunning perfume of the Flower
Crushed in the forest
By the wickedness of iron and fire
The grieved lands
The grieved lands of Africa
In the dream soon undone in jinglings of jailer's keys
And in the stifled laughter and victorious voice of laments
And in the unconscious brilliance of hidden sensations
Of the grieved lands of Africa
Alive
In themselves and with us alive
They bubble up in dreams
Decked with dances by baobabs over balances
By the antelope
In the perpetual alliance of everything that lives
They shout out the sound of life
Shout it
Even the corpses thrown up by the Atlantic
In putrid offering of incoherence
And death and in the clearness
Of rivers
They live
The grieved lands of Africa
In the harmonious sound of consciences
Contained in the honest blood of men
In the strong desire of men
In the sincerity
In the pure and simple rightness of the stars’
Existence
They live
The grieved lands of Africa
Because we are living
And are imperishable particles
Of the grieved lands of Africa.
Agostinho Neto
4. Explain the setting of the poem
The poem is set in Africa as implied from its title as an aggrieved land. Africa had been subjected to centuries of different kinds of suffering, sorrow, pain, anguish, and turmoil in the hand of her European colonizers. The outrageous dealing with Africans as mere usable, expendable, and exportable are disheartening. "the degrading sweat of impure dance/of other seas" as they were exported in their millions in ships"The Poet deployed imagery of the forest to explore the anguish it brings upon them as they were "crushed in the forest/by the wickedness of the iron and fire (modernization).
Some Africans like Neto, endured imprisonment as they regularly heard "the mingling key of the jailer/jailer's key". They experienced "stifled laughter and victorious voice of lament". However, the only thing the Africans believed in was hope even these days and it did keep their dreams alive: "Alive / in themselves with us alive". All the same, Africans "bubble up in dream/decked with dances by baobabs over balances".
5. Explain the Subject Matter of the Poem
“The grieved lands” is a protest poem through which the poet state the glaring injustice, and man’s inhumanity against man perpetuated by the colonial Administration in Africa. The poem is based on the outcome of Berlin conference of 1884 and under the guise of Christianity and civilization. Africa was partitioned by the major European power at that time.Portuguese Africa was worse hit by colonial rule Angola became an independent nation in 1975 when most African countries have experienced their liberation from the colonial masters. Neto was a “prisoner of conscience” in Portugal for over two years before he escaped consequently, this poem like other poems written by poets from former colonies of Portugal talk about negative effect of colonization.
6. Analyse the poem stanza by stanza
STANZA ONE: The first stanza begins with “the grieved lands” of Africa. The victims of the grieved lands are the African themselves. The poem’s structure are its development clearly suggest this point of view. The poem begins by employing a historical pattern of what was and what has been, in order to lead his audience to complete understanding of the circumstances of his argument.The protagonist is logical and convincing as he reminds us that the predicament of the black man can be traced to antiquity (ancient past) when he was enslaved, not by any innate faults of his, but apparently because of the capricious nature of the colonialists.
STANZA TWO: In stanza two, the poet describes the elimination of the valuable culture, beauty, custom and land of Africa by the colonialists. He figuratively presents this through the symbol of “flower” and “forest”. This is seen in lines 7-10, in the infamous sensation... “iron and fire” refer to the fierce way the colonialists imposed themselves in Africa. These moves destroyed the beautiful flora and founa of African laid hence they grieve. The ever-blossoming African beauty and African youths, customs and culture presented by “flower” were crushed by civilization which made African’s lose their identity.
STANZA THREE: In the third stanza the poem laments the destruction of African dreams. All those blacks sold into slavery had their dreams in life but were stifled out by slavery, while the Africans under the colonialists administration were exited to prevent them from attaining their dreams in their father’s land, hence the land grieves for her children. Line 13, “in the dreams undone” means precaution using imprisonment.
STANZA FOUR: Here, Africans remain “a live” and “in themselves and with us alive” (line17-18) what stays “with us alive” are the sad memories of what Africans have been passing through. Inspite of this, the poet says we bubble up in dreams| decked with... (line 19-20) with sorrow Africans dreams and dance and hope for the future, “in the perpetual alliance of everything that lives” (line 22). In line 23-24, Africans in their music “shout out the sound of life| shout it.
STANZA FIVE: Line 29 “corpses thrown up by the Atlantic...” Don’t discourage the African consciousness. They are the corpses of the dead while enroute to European countries for purposes of slavery. Not even the “putrid offering of incoherence| and death...” (line 27-28) would make African fail to overcome their years of distress.
STANZA SIX: In the sixth stanza, the poet maintains that the innocent blood of Blacks shed during slavery and the quest for independence of Africans are sacrificial to the survival of the Black nations. Hence, new stars are rising from strong desire of men to retake the land and appease the grieve land. (33-35).
There is the will among the Africans to live and survive their years of human denigration. Africans survive because the stars also do survive (line 35-36).
STANZA SEVEN: “They live” is repeated in line 37. The poet concludes by saying that the grieved land of Africa are not dying; they live “because we are living” (line 40). The poet says Africa is an indefatigable part of the earth which can be annihilated. Instead stars will emerge, which help in the transformation of the world as we have seen in the world today.
7. Explain the theme of the poem
1. Theme of living: All the same we live, in spite of years of continuous degradation. In stanza 4, the first word is "Alive". The word "alive" is also found in line 2 of that stanza, and its last word is "lives." These words are defiantly deployed to make a point. The point is that in spite of the efforts to subdue Africa and Africans, they still survive - "they bubble up in dream" (1. 19). Africans still exist in the perpetual alliance of everything that lives" (1.22). Not only are they breathing, they shout out the sound of life Shout it" (II. 23-24). There is also the "harmonious sound of consciences" (I.31) in the "honest blood of men" (II:32) and "in the strong desire of men" (I. 24). It is not just that the people are living," (2.40) they are "imperishable particles/Of the grieved lands of Africa" (II. 41-42)2. Theme of Grieve Lands: In Agostinho's "The Grieved Lands of African" grieve flows from its title through every stanza of the poem. it won't be an exaggeration to say it is the major theme of the poem. The poet grieves over the" ancient and modern slave" experiences in the lands of Africa. He laments the untold sufferings, loss of lives, assets, and the cultural heritage of the peoples of Africa sacrificed on the bloody altar of western colonialism. The "stunning perfume. flower" in line 8 symbolizes the African continent that Was "crushed" by the "wickedness of iron and fire" of the colonial masters. Here, Neto uses a historical paradigm to trace the origin of grieve in the lands of Africa.
He recalls the unbearable pains of slavery in the past, which has witnessed "a change of guard" from the African slave masters to the present western taskmasters of colonization. He protests the cause of grieve in the African sweety, he sees a future of agitation for fairness in the unity of purpose to put an end to the grieve.
3. Theme of Servitude - Ancient and Modern: Apart from the dominant theme of grieve in the poem. we also experience the theme of servitude in the poem Undoubtedly, the seemly oppression, injustice, and slavery perpetuated by the major western powers under the guise of bringing Christianity and CIVilization to the African continent are portrayed in the poem. Africans were subjected to the most inhuman treatment not even meant for animals by the colonial masters.
4. Theme of Hope in Adversity: The poet, nonetheless tells of the persistent spirit of the African even when faced with a lot of adversity. "The stifled laughter "in line 14, and" the unconscious brilliance of hidden sensation" in line 15. All of these are indications that the subjugated hardship will last only for a while.
5. Theme of Exloitation and Subjucation: Exploitation is the action of treating someone unfairly in order to benefit from his| her work. Subjugation to bring under domination or control.
The poem hints how European colonialists held a conference in Berlin in 1884 to partition Africa, Portugal colonized Angola. Britain colonized Nigeria and so on. African were exploited, subjugated, killed, maltreated and given in human treatment. Line 25-27 shows the treatment meted out to Africans.
6. Theme of Black is Beautiful: European colonialists consider the black people of Africa to be beautiful and attractive, why they decided to conquer Africa. Inspite of the fact that the poet describes Africa as the grieved land, the European settled in Nigeria, Ghana South Africa and other African countries because Africa hold the splendor and beauty of the world. In line 1 and 8, the poet describes Africa as “stunning perfume of the flower”.
7. Theme of Dehumanization: Dehumanization in this context can be seen as an act of treating on dealing with people as if they are less human or animals, making them to loose their human dignity. The poem has several records of dehumanizing acts from the European master to the Africans. The Africans were torture, starved and killed even at prime age inside the forest. “… stunning perfume of the flower crush in the forest.
"By the wickedness of iron and fire" The iron and fire in the above lines refer to the Colonial masters. They destroyed the beauty and purity of the land. Flowers here can be like ned to beautiful African maidens who were sexually abused. Dead bodies of Africans were thrown into the ocean. This is dehumanizing to Africans in Africa, it is their culture to bury their dead ones. The European masters abused this culture by emptying the dead bodies into an ocean. “Even the corpses thrown up by the Atlantic.
6. Explain the Styles and Symbol (Poetic devices) in the poem
The poem was originally written in Portuguese. However, because of its beauty and artistry, it was translated into English which still maintains its exquisite nature as a piece of art.Language and Style
The following are the techniques/ways through which the writer presents his work.(a) Diction: Neto made use of appropriate words to narrate how Africans became the victims of "the Grieved lands." This simplified it for readers to understand the anguish experienced in the hand of the Colonial Masters. The poet's use of words was carefully crafted to expose how the ancient slavery of Africans, and the modern slavery of Africans by western colonial masters, made the black man grieve under unbearable inhuman existence.
(b) Mood: The mood of the poet can be described as been emotionally grieve about "the tearful woes of an ancient and modern slave" perpetuated "by the wickedness of iron and fire." The reader is made to feel Neto's grieve about the sordid experiences of the black man before and during the period of colonization.
(c) Tone: The tone of the poet reveals his anger and agony. His voice is that of requiem against the intolerable condition of "the grieve lands" in Africa. Neto's protest is directed at the racial prejudice and the worst inhuman treatment by the western colonial masters.
(d) Structure: The poem has 7 divisions (stanzas) of unequal line content. A total of 41 lines with no rhyme pattern. The first 3 stanzas are spent on Africa's grieves. The other four stanzas centre on demonstrating that both Africans and their lands live in spite of years of denigration. The first 3 stanzas end in "grieved," "grieved lands" and "grieved lands of Africa. This stanza emphasizes that Africans "are living," being "imperishable particles."
(e) Contrast: In the first three stanza, the personae is in a depressed mood. He complains of bad treatments that Africa has had to suffer due to trans-Atlantic slave trade followed by the exploitation Of the Africa’s resources. Expressions that are used to states that are: Slave, Degrading sweats, tearful woes, Stunning perfume of the flowers crushed in the forest, dream undone, voice of lament. It changes from painful reflections and grief to one that is full of hope. Words that contrast with what we have in the opening stages are: The shouts out the sound of life, shout it, they live victorious voice, alive, because we are living and imperishable particles.
In line two "in the tearful woes of an ancient and modern slave" shows the contrast between ancient slavery in Africa by Africans, and modern slavery resulting from western colonization.
(f) Imagery: This is the use of expressions that creates a mental picture of what is being described in the minds of the readers.The poet employed different images to pass across this message e.g.
1. Images of slavery. Words an expression that evoked strong images of slavery include slave, degrading sweats, other seas, dates, Corpses thrown up by Atlantic.
2. Images of suffering/pain. The expression that make us feel the painful experience of Africa are: tearful woes, Grieved, lemons, stunning perfume of the flowers crushed in the forest, impure dance.
3. Images of destruction. Words that point out the destructive effects of the industrial revolution and Africa’s contacts with Western Europe are. Crushed, iron and fire, dream undone.
4. Images of oppression. Jailer’s keys, stifled hidden sensations.
5. Images of hope. By using the following words, the poet seeks to register his unwavering faith in Africa. This is because Africa has got destiny on its side. Words use to suggest what is stated above are, victorious brilliance, alive, bubble, decked with dances, shout the sound of life, leaving.
Poetic Devices
(ba) Alliteration: The use of repeated consonant sounds in lines 14 and 20 are examples of alliteration."...victorious voice of laments" line 14
"Decked with dances by baobabs overbalance" line 20.
Line 3: degrading... danceLines
3 & 4: sweat... seasLines
8 & 9: Flower... forest
Line 13: jingling... jailer's
Line 14: victorious voice
Line 20: Decked... dances
Line 20: baobabs... balances
(b) Symbolism: The representation of the Africa continent in line 7 as a beautiful "flower" and "forest" which are "crushed." is symbolical. And The wickedness of iron and fire" that is responsible for the senseless destruction is symbolized by western colonialism.
The "honest blood of men" and the "strong desire of men" symbolized the determination and fortitude of the black man in "The grieve lands of Africa" to survive.
(c) Allusion: The title of the poem, "grieve lands" is an allusion to the inhuman treatment meted out to the African slaves, the racial discrimination, and a litany of "tearful woes" suffered by the oppressed Africans in thein lands.
(d) Repetition: In the poem, some words are repeated for effect. "Grieved” is repeated nine times, excluding the title. There is "sensation" and then "sensations." Other repeated words and their variants are "alive”, "lives", "life," "live" and "living." Serving as anaphora, a kind of repetition at the beginning of consecutive poetic lines, are "In" (lines 2 and 3 and lines 33, 34 and 35) and "And" (lines 14 and 15). Then there are "dream" and "dance" repeated at least more than once. See also "They shout out the sound of life/Shout it" (1.23-24). There is "seas" (1. 4) repeated as "rivers" (1.28). The expression, "in the strong desire of men" (I.33) appears as a repetition of "in the honest blood of men." (1.32).
(e) Metaphor: The use of this literary device makes the poem easy to understand. Neto uses the metaphor of "tearful woes" to describe the unbearable sufferings in "the grieved lands of Africa." Similarly, "The degrading sweat of impure dance, of the other seas" is used to describe the merriment of dancing by the western colonial masters amidst the grieve in the lands of Africa.
(f) Personification: The lands of Africa are said to be grieving as if they were human beings. This is repeated a few times in the poem. There is also the wickedness of iron and fire" as if iron and fire" were humans. Witness also the "victorious voice of laments" as if "voice" belongs to a specific individual. There is also the "unconscious brilliance. "We also have the honest blood" (1.32) as if blood could stand for a human being.
(g) Euphemism: This is the art of using mild words to present serious or ugly situation the line, Crushed in the forest … the term “crushed” is used to explain the damage and secretage done by the colonial masters in the land
(h) Assonance: This is the repetition of vowel sounds this is seen in:
a. victorious voice in the line the vowel sound /Ɔ:/ assonates
b. “shout out the shound of life”. In this line the vowel /au/ is repeated.
c. dances by buobabes over balance’s the vowel sound (ӕ/reoccurred in line).
Rationale:
Africa land is said to be aggrieved because of the impact of over four hundred years of human slavery during which millions of Africans were exported to different part of the world. Anywhere in the world where there are blacks, other than Africa herself, it could be concluded that they were originally there by force, moved to those places from Africa. As if slavery was not enough, Africa also experienced over one hundred years of colonialism, during which European colonizers ruled over the African land. Although most African country secured their independence by negotiations, some others like Angola Agostintio Netio’s country secured their through war.Prerequisite/ Previous knowledge:
Storyings, songs, history etc.Learning Resources:
Flash cards, an audio video youtube examples, Available useful objects.Reference Materials:
1. Exam focus on Literature in English by J.O.J Nwachukwu et’al.2. Standard literature in English vol.4 by Tony Duru
3. The grieved lands of Africa by Agostinho Neto
4. Internet sources
Lesson Development:
STAGE |
TEACHER'S ACTIVITY |
LEARNER'S ACTIVITY |
LEARNING POINTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEP 1: PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE full class session |
The teacher begins the day's lesson by asking questions based on previous knowledge. 1. What is the background setting of the poet and poem "The Leader and the Led by Niyi Osundare"? 2. List and explain the theme of the poem "The Leader and the Led by Niyi Osundare" |
The students respond to the questions based on previous knowledge.
1. Background setting of the poet and poem.Niyi Osundare is a renowned champion of freedom of speech and one whose - commitment to socially relevant art and artistic activism writes "The leader and the led" to focus on the leadership and fellowship in Africa. Osundare treats the subject matter of the poem as what can be termed "a cooperative venture". This he shed light on by using the animal metaphors to present the various behavioral traits that are relevant in the attainment of power. 2. Themes of the poemi. The Theme of Leadership: The theme of leadership is a dominant theme in Osundare's "The Leader and the Led". From its title to the subject matter, and the context of the poem, it is preoccupied with the importance of leadership. when we take a close analysis of the poem, from stanza one up to stanza seven, all most powerful animal wants to lead and no one wants to follow. However, the poem takes a turn at the intervention of the forest sage says: whoever wants to lead must first be a follower. (Line 17-20)ii. The Theme of Followership: The theme of Followership works hand in hand with leadership. According to the poet proposition of whom is worthy to lead is only the person who has been a good follower. But most importantly, the theme emphasizes the importance of having a good follower to succeed as a leader. iii. The Theme of Imperfection: Another theme in the poem is the theme of imperfection. The poem sends the message that perfection is not the recipe for leadership. The animals that felt they are worthy because of their strengths and powerful qualities are disqualified like those who possess weaknesses. In lines 11 -12 (The elephant trudges into the power tussle/ But his colleagues dread his trampling feet), the elephant strength disqualified him while the ugliness of warthog was a reason for his disqualification, as seen in line 13 (the warthog is too ugly). |
Reversing previous lesson |
| STEP 2: INTRODUCTION full class session Identification of prior ideas. |
The teacher review/introduce what they are going to study today, A poem “The Grieved Lands of Africa" by Agostinho Neto.
Introduction to the poem "The Grieved Lands of Africa by Agostinho Neto""The Grieved Lands," is a poem that laments the corrupt political system of Portuguese imperialism in Africa, which has led to "tearful woes," the "degenerating sweat of impure dance," "the flower/crushed in the forest," "the wickedness of iron and fire," and even "the corpses thrown up the Atlantic/in putrid offering of incoherence and death." The poet is undaunted to the latter, hopeful that the resilience and determination of his people will triumph over every obstacle. The victims of "The Grieved Lands" are the Africans themselves. The poem's structure and its development clearly suggest this point of view. The poet-persona is unequivocal and convincing as he reminds the readers that the predicament of the black man can be traced to the ancient when he was enslaved 'in the tearful woes of ancient' (line 1); not by any innate faults of his, but apparently because of the uncertain nature of his slave masters. One thing that is clear here is that the poet-speaker's ethical perspective is one of frankness and integrity; he stands for the truth and would not condone nor compromise evil. Finally, the emotional thrust of his argument, as suggested by the precise rendition of such negative images and metaphors like "grieved lands," "tearful woes," "degrading sweat," and "impure dance" is strong and effective. The protagonist's credibility is not questionable. |
The students listen attentively to the teacher. | Introducing the topic for discussion to arouse their interests and refresh their memories. |
| STEP 3: DEVELOPMENT Group Work |
The teacher guides the learners to form four groups and asks them to choose their leaders and secretaries. | Learners choose their group leaders and secretaries. | Inculcating leadership skills, competitive spirit, cooperation, teamwork and a sense of responsibility among learners. |
| STEP 4: EXPLORATION Mode: Individual |
The teacher presents to the class the instructional resources and guides the students to explain the background setting of the poet and poem. | The students explain the background setting of the poet and poem. (a) THE POET BACKGROUND: Agostinho Neto was born on September 17, 1922 in the Angolan town of Kaxikane. He had his early education at Luanda Secondary school before proceeding to the University of Combra, where he obtained his medical degree. Imprisoned repeatedly for his political activism with the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola, Neto became the newlyindependent nation's first president in 1975. His bitter experience with the Portuguese colonial policy in Angola hardened his hatred of European colonialism in general. He died on 10 September, 1979 in Moscow while undergoing treatment for cancer. THE POEM BACKGROUND SETTING: The poem has its background from the Berlin Conference of 1884 when, in the guise of Christianity and civilization, the major European powers partitioned Africa for colonization among themselves. The poet-persona serves as a voice of reason and moderation or, a voice of protest against unfairness and injustice. He is the Master or Seer who sees the past and the future, agitating for fairness, unity and cooperation in order to cure society of its ills in the body politic. "The Grieved Lands' is rooted in human rights, personal struggle and self-survival, and a celebration of mother Africa who is presented to be grieved. Neto's political activism manifested itself early at Combria University where, as a member of the Movement for Democratic Youth Unity, he aligned himself with the forces opposed to Portuguese colonial policy. He subsequently joined the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), which he later led upon his return to Angola. This movement was founded in 1956 in order to fight against Portuguese colonial power and was engaged in military fights from 1961 to 1975. The MPLA took power in 1975, the year Angola gained independence from Portugal, and has remained in power ever since. Through this movement, Neto became Angola's first democratically elected president. Neto uses his poetry to fight against the colonial cause and to sensitize his people on the need for revolution. He is not sufficiently naïve to think that poetry alone is enough to change the state of affairs. His poetry is often classified as protest poetry, especially because of his strong opposition to racial injustice and colonial aggression and misrule. "The Grieved Lands" focuses on isolation, nostalgia, alienation, the desecration of ancient places. racial discrimination, and a myriad of man's inhumanity to man. In "The Grieved Lands," the entire African continent is viewed as having been abused, plundered and dehumanized. |
The background Settings of the poet and poem. |
| STEP 5: DISCUSSION Mode: Group |
The teacher guides the learners to recite the poem and Analysis the poem stanza by stanza. | The Students Analysis the poem stanza by stanza. Stanza I (Lines 1-5) "Grieved Lands" alludes to the oppressed peoples of Africa who have witnessed or seen their lives, their assets, their culture and their humanity vanish or destroyed on the altar of Western colonialism. They are perpetually in the tearful woes of ancient and modem These lines 1-3 and introduction to the poet's argument. Here, the poet employs a historical paradigm of what was and what has been in order to lead his audience to a complete understanding of the contest of the argument. Thus, it is the tearful woes of ancient and modern slave. These wots come from the colonizers, the people he referred to as the people of other seas. Stanza 2 (Lines 6-11) The poet continues in his morbid description of the various plagues meted to African. He employs several visual imagery. Here, several of these imagery do not only stand out as images, they illuminate or clarify the poet's argument. For example, the "flower" that is "crushed in the "forest is certainly the African continent, while the "wickedness of iron and fire" that commits this heinous act of destruction symbolizes the Western colonizers. These have caused the land to grieve. Stanza 3 (Lines 12-16) Like other Africans, the Angolans were subjected to intensive exploitation by their colonial masters, the Portuguese. Here in these lines, the poet-speaker adopts a tone of hope, knowing certainly they must rejoice in jinglings of gaoler's keys' someday. Jingling connotes making a sound of joy even as they are still in the grips of the 'gaoler's keys. There is an air of hope here for the poet believes that their redemption is near. The expression stifled laughter means that every source of joy they have has been restricted and stifled, yet the poet-speaker can still hear the victorious voice of laments" and hidden sensations". Stanza 4 (Lines 13-22) The poet continues to express his contempt over the colonial masters. When the colonialists came to Africa pretending to spread Christianity and bring civilization to Africans, many had hopes of seeing a civilized Africa from civilized Europeans but alas, it turned to out to be oppression and slavery either. The poet-speaker continues to express hopes in the midst of turbulence. The poet speaker shows how the colonizers work around the clocks to see that they keep the blacks in perpetual bondage and annihilate them. Thus, they bubble up in dreams', using every means to oppress the blacks and keep them in bloody anguish. Stanza 5 (Lines 23-28) In these lines, the poet-speaker speaks of the "corpses thrown up by the Atlantic in putrid offering of incoherence and death". This expression suggests the punishment meted out to the African slaves who were beaten or starved or killed and consequently were emptied into the ocean, their final resting abode. The poet creates a harsh, bloody, and violent description that will spur Africans to achieve the independence of their country. Through the use of extremely violent poetic images, the poct makes a very direct appeal to all Angolans and by extension, all Africans by openly saying that their union and their physical force are indispensable if they are to regain their country in a full. Stanza 6 (Lines 29-36) The poet continues to show how the Africans are abused, incarcerated and wantonly dehumanized. More significant images are created by the poet in these lines. These images centre around the "dreams" of the Africans whose determination and fortitude are reflected in the pattern of refrains symbolized by the "honest blood of men," the "strong desire of men," and the "sincerity of men". The poet's anger and frustration and the emotional anguish which he feels about the Black man's intolerable situation are clearly illustrated through these expressions. Thus, the reader can readily observe the poet's harsh and acrimonious tone here. Stanza 7 (Lines 37-41) In these concluding lines, the poet reiterates the Black man's innate will and desire to conquer all odds and survive. The doggedness of Africans in the midst of oppression and suppression is undaunted and unwavering. Thus, they are 'imperishable particles'. In other words, the poet clearly shows that it is only the bold sacrifice and struggle that will allow the Angolans to restore their access to all the vast material wealth of their country and at the same time permit them to reconnect with their true African culture, a culture that has been overshadowed and almost annihilated by the presence of the colonialists for more than four hundred years. |
Analysis of the poem stanza by stanza |
| STEP 6: APPLICATION Mode: Group |
The Teacher guides the students to explain the narrative techniques use in the poem. | The Students explain the narrative techniques use in the poem. 1. Language: The poet's language is highly connotative. He employs extensive use of third person pronoun they', 'we' to drive home the narrative tone of the poem. So many words are used ironically and metaphorically in the poem. 2. Structure: The poem is written in forty-one lines of six stanzas. The poet employs the free verse style. The essence of free verse structure is to allow him to discuss and pour out his emotions freely and discreetly. The poem's structure and its development clearly suggest that the victims of oppression and injustice are the Africans themselves. The poet begins by employing a historical paradigm of what was and what has been in order to lead his audience to a complete understanding of the context of his argument. 3. Tone: The poetic tone is harsh and highly embittered. The poet-speaker serves as a voice of reason and moderation or, a voice of protest against unfairness and injustice. As a highly patriotic poet, he writes unequivocally; with truth and understanding in order for his people to resist the scourge of European colonial domination. 4. Imagery: The poet mostly employs visual imagery that connote oppression and suppression. Such imagery include: 'tearful woes', 'crushed forest', 'stifled laughter', 'corpses thrown up by the Atlantic 'blood of men' etc. These images employed are lucid, precise and profound. The poet-speaker is logical and convincing as he reminds us that the predicament of the black man can be traced to antiquity when he was enslaved, not by any innate faults of his, but apparently because of the volatile nature of his captors. 5. Metaphor: The entire poem is built on metaphor. All the words and imagery used in the poem have metaphorical interpretations. 6. Repetition: The poem derives much of its effectiveness from the frequent employment of repetition, which contributes significantly to its dramatic and emotive intensity. For example, the epithet "The grieved lands of Africa," is mentioned seven times (lines 1, 6, 12, 16, 29, 36, 39), while the expression "They live" is mentioned twice (lines 28 & 35). 7. Irony: The expressions 'stifled laughter' and 'victorious voice of laments' (line 14) are ironical. It is ironical for the oppressed who is stifled (restricted) to be in laughter. Also, for a stifled voice in anguish to have a victorious voice is ironical. 8. Hyperbole: An instance of hyperbole is seen in line 22 'in the perpetual alliance of everything that lives'. It is a deliberate exaggeration for the oppressors to align with every living creatures to oppress the Africans. 9. Personification: In the expression 'dances by baobabs', there is a transfer of human attributes to non-human, the baobab. 10. Anaphora: The repetition of a pattern of expression for effect is seen in lines 31, 33, 34 and 35 of the poem: In the harmonious sound of consciences In the strong desire of men In the sincerity In the pure and simple rightness of the stars' |
Narrative Techniques of the poem |
| The Teacher guides students to list and explain the theme of the poem. | The students list and explain the theme of the poem. 1. Theme of Grief and Suffering: right from the tittle of the poem we feel the poets interest in the suffering and pains that the continent has been going through for so long. The causes of the tears and woes of the grieving lands of Africa include the dehumanizing slave trade across the Atlantic ocean to faraway lands destruction of the natural environment caused by industrialization and colonial rule. 2. Theme of HOPE and Optimism: It is a of all doom in the poem. In Stanza 4, the Poet emphasizes the fact that so long as there is life, there is hope. The poet believes that inspite of their huge challenges, he celebrates the ability of Africa to bounce back after years of oppression and under development. The poet’s personally believes strongly that the African renaissance is definitely on its way. Through the use words like “victorious voices” (line 31), “Sound of life (L 31), the poet makes a direct appeal to Angola and Africans by extension, that their collective efforts will yield results someday and their land be regained Agony of Colonialism. European Colonialism was marked with enslavement of Africans in their own lands as well as exploitation of the physical and natural resources. This brought so much pain and agony to the people. It subjected them to the grieve some sufferings and atrocities. The poet in the poem, laments bitterly the sufferings of the people passed through in the hands of their colonial masters. They are killed and manied such that “even the corpse thrown up by the Atlantic (L25)”. 3. Theme of Protest: The poem also has the theme of protest running through it. The poet protest the cause and effects of African colonization that created the “grieved land” In Africa. He protest against and slavery perpetuated by the western powers under the pretence of bringing civilization and Christianity to the African continent. The European conspiracy the Berlin Conference turned Africa into the “Grieves Lands”. 4. Theme of Racial Discrimination: The Poet in his poem expressed his bitter experience with the Portuguese Colonial misrule in Angola. This fuelled his hatred for European Colonial administration in Africa at large. Especially because he was imprisoned for speaking against mistreatment of the blacks. Hence the poet aligned himself with positive forces opposed to Portuguese Colonial misrule. It is not surprising therefore that Neto became the first democratically elected President of Angola. 5. Theme of desecration of ancient places: The Europeans used civilization and Christianity as a guise to attack and destroy the African Culture and way of life. Ancient place of cultural heritage were desecrated under Christianity. African culture wastermed dark, backward and archaic. This desecration created as disconnect with future generations because the ancient and natural surroundings cannot be plad. |
Being able to list and explain the theme of the poem. | |
| STEP 7: EVALUATION Mode: Entire Class |
The teacher asks the students the following questions: Analyse the poem stanza by stanza. |
The students expected answers Stanza One: “In the tearful woes of ancient and modern slave" “Ancient” refers to the physical slavery when men and women were force fully moved out of Africa to Europe and other parts of the world. “Modern” slavery refers to the present psychological and mental slavery in Africa where African depend on the West for aids and solution. This is seen in situations where acceptance of western cultures or way of life is seen as a standard of measuring success or achievement. Stanza two: The poet descries the elimination of the valuable beauty, culture and customes of Africa by Westernization. The poet figuratively presents the symbols of “flower” and forest” in lines 7 – 10. “Iron” and “Fire” refers to the force and fierce ways the colonial masters imposed themselves and their ways of life in Africans. This forced destroyed the beautiful flower and aura of Africa thereby making the land grieve. The former blooming African beauty, customs and culture represented by “flower” were crushed by civilization which made the continent loose its identity in the “Crushed Forest”. Stanza three: The poet shows the destruction of the African dreams. All the blacks sold into slavery all had dreams and aspirations. Even those that the land has their dreams crushed under the colonial masters through intimidation, imprisonment or exile. Hence, the land grieves for the lost dreams of her children. The Poet for instance was sent on exile to Cape Verde amidst his struggles for the liberation of Augola. This was the fate of most black nationalists (those who fought for the liberation of the countries from colonialists). “In the dream soon undone in jingling of Gaolers’ keys”. (line 13). Their dreams are dead in jails and prisons when they are locked up. Stanza four: The poet in this stanza, states that inspite of all Africans have been through, “They shout the shout of Life”, they “bubble up in dreams and they dance the dance of hope, for the better future, (L22). In their music, Africans shout out the shout of survival. Stanza five: Explores hope in all the troubles. Rather than die, they choose to live and be hopeful. The corpses of slaves thrown in the Atlantic Ocean while being taken to Europe for slavery do not give up in their shouts to their brothers not to give up to wrestle back power from the Colonialist. Their shouts give birth to a rejuvenated Africa. Stanza six: Maintains that innocent blood of blacks wasted during slavery and the fight for independence by Africans are a sacrifice to the survival of the black nation. Therefore, new stars are rising to repossess the land from their colonialists thereby appeasing the grieved land. Stanza Seven: The poet concludes that Africa is not tired and cannot be destroyed (line 40 – 41). Instead, new stars will emerge and they will help Africa will emerge and they will help Africa transform and return her lost glory. |
Asking the learners questions to assess the achievement of the set objectives. |
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| ASSIGNMENT | The teacher gives learners take home. 1. Attempt a justification of the title of Neto's poem in relation to its content. 2. How does the poem portray the circumstances of Africans before and now? 3. Examine the poem's structure and relate it to how the poet makes his point in the poem. 4. Select two themes in "The Grieved Lands of Africa" and discuss them in detail. 5. Describe the psychological and social settings of “The Grieved Lands of Africa." 6. Show vividly the extent to which Neto's poem is a pessimistic one. 7. Give a detailed stanza by stanza account of Neto's poem. 8. Discuss "The Grieved Lands of Africa" as a dramatic monologue. 9. Discuss the background and setting of Neto's poem. 10. Discuss the use of alliteration and personification in the poem. |
The learners copy the assignment | Better understanding of the Poem. |
| CONCLUSION | The teachers wrap up from the learners' contribution. The Poem “The Grieved Land” has its background on the political ill in Africa, in the Post-Colonial Era. The Borline Conference of 1884 also formed the background of the poem. In the said conference, the major Europeans in the disguise of Christianity Pertional Africa from colonization among themselves. Then Africa was greatly marginalized exploited and de-humanized. The poem served as voice of reason against unfairness and injustice to Africa. The Poet saw the past and the future and agitates for fairness and cooperation of Africans to cure the society of the political diseases. The Poem “The Grieved Land” is an allusion to oppression people of Africa. The people of Africa have witnessed and seen their lives, assets, culture and humanity, destroyed on the alter of colonization. The poem views African countries as having been abused, despoiled and grately dehumanize by European powers. The whole activities brought nothing but grief to the people. The poem documents that tale of horror and injustice as well as man’s inhumanity to man. African slaves were beaten, starved and killed. The dead bodies are emptied into an ocean. The poet says, “Corpse thrown up by the Atlantic input rid offering of in coherence and death. |
The students listen to the teacher and copy down notes. | Consolidating and harmonizing scientific concepts. |