Author & Context
This Malawian poet wrote “An African Thunderstorm.”
Who is David Rubadiri?
This theme shows humans as small and defenseless against the storm.
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.
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.
Colonialism
This decade saw the poem’s publication and Malawi gaining independence
the 1960s
This theme is represented by the storm symbolizing foreign domination and destruction.
Colonialism
“Pregnant clouds ride stately on its back” is an example of this device giving human traits to non-human things.
What is Personification?
True or false: The clouds are compared to this destructive swarm to show their power.
True
This comparison describes the wind’s unpredictable and chaotic movement.
“like a madman chasing nothing”?
This European power colonized Malawi before independence
Britain
This theme highlights the chaotic and powerful force of the storm itself.
The power of 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.
trees