Author & Context
This Malawian poet wrote “An African Thunderstorm.”
Who is David Rubadiri?
This theme shows humans as small and defenseless against the storm.
What is Man vs Nature
“Clouds come hurrying with the wind” is an example of this device involving repeated consonant sounds.
What is Alliteration?
The storm comes from this direction, symbolizing the origin of colonial forces.
What is the West?
In an interpretive reading of the poem, the storm symbolizes the destructive impact and lasting effects of this historical system imposed by Western nations on Africa.
What is Colonialism?
This decade saw the poem’s publication and Malawi gaining independence
What is the 1960s?
This theme is represented by the storm symbolizing foreign domination and destruction.
What is Colonialism?
“Pregnant clouds ride stately on its back” is an example of this device giving human traits to non-human things.
What is Personification?
The clouds are compared to this destructive swarm to show their power.
What are locusts?
This comparison describes the wind’s unpredictable and chaotic movement.
What is “like a madman chasing nothing”?
This European power colonized Malawi before independence
What is Britain?
This theme highlights the chaotic and powerful force of the storm itself.
What is Nature?
“Like a plague of locusts” is an example of this comparison using “like” or "as".
What is a Simile?
These are described as bending to let the wind pass, showing the storm’s strength.
What are trees?