Child A
What is the "Child" a symbol of?
The child is a symbol of the resistance movement; represents hope for change.
Explain the contrast between the title and Line 1.
The title indicates that a child was shot dead, but line 1 emphatically states "the child is not dead". This contradiction highlights the notion that apartheid could kill the physical bodies of POC, but the spirit of resistance will live on.
Refer to line 1: ‘Black, green … pageantry’ What does the word ‘pageantry’ imply about the speaker’s feelings regarding this funeral?
The speaker feels that this funeral is ‘hollow’ – it is just for show. It is ceremonial only. The speaker implies that it is a spectacle for onlookers only. Funerals have lost their true meaning – there have been too many.
Explain the significance of the colours: Black, green and gold.
These are colours of the ANC, a resistance party. The colours are named to indicate that this poem is deeply political.
Comment on why the child want to raise "his fists against his mother".
To emphasise that the older generation who fought apartheid (through peaceful protest) did not fight hard enough. There is a generational gap - these children are willing to die for the stuggle.
Account for the anaphora of "scream" and "Africa" in the context of the poem.
The repetition of "scream" highlights the injustice and oppression caused by the apartheid regime. It adds to the tone of urgency and desperation to fight for change. "Africa" is repeated to acknowledge that the struggle against injustice is not unique to SA, but to all oppressed countries in Africa.
Refer to line 11: "And plots our narrow cells of pain, defeat and dearth". Critically discuss the pun within the context of the poem.
The pun is based on the "narrow cells". This could refer to either the jail cells that were used to jail freedom fighters, the small homes of people disadvantaged by the Group Areas Act or the graves of those killed by the apartheid government. All
Refer to line 8: Aborted, not by Death but carrion books of birth . Critically discuss the figure of speech used in this line.
A metaphor is used to compare pass books to "carrion" or dead animals. This emphasises the notion that all POC were dead the moment they were born (and given a pass book). Apartheid never gave POC the opportunity to demonstrate their gifts and talents.
Critically discuss the repetition of the "child" in the context of the poem.
The phrase is repeated to reinforce the innocence of the child and highlight the tragedy of his death. The child represents the new generation which is not as easily subdued and which will rise up against the regime (resistance). The child's meaningless and unjust murder will not be forgotten but will rather serve as a symbol of hope/inspiration that change is coming and the apartheid regime will fall.
All of these places, are places in which POC have felt the pain of injustice, oppression and murder - they are sites of violence committed by apartheid. This further highlights the innocence of the child, who is then killed by this violent regime.
Refer to the words ‘Salute!’ (line 5) and ‘Arise!’ (line 9). Comment critically on the inclusion of these words. Refer to tone in your answer.
‘Salute’ is in honour (or tribute) of the deceased and all those who have passed before her. ‘Arise’ is a call to arms – it urges action. People must keep fighting the Apartheid system. The tone is urgent/imperative/commanding/demanding
Refer to line 9: 'Arise! The brassy shout of Freedom stirs our earth'. Comment on the effectiveness of this figure of speech.
The apostrophe – ‘Arise!’ is a call to action to those who are subjugated not to endure the oppression of Apartheid, but to rise up against it.
Metaphor/metonymy – The ‘shout of Freedom’ is described as ‘brassy’. It evokes the sound of the bugle/trumpet; this is a harsh/shrill sound calling for revolutionary action.
Personification – Freedom has a loud and imposing voice ('brassy shout') that commands the oppressed people to rise up and act against the oppressive system. The need for liberation is so vital that freedom itself is shouting and can no longer be ignored; a revolution is inevitable.
Refer to line 15: The child is the shadow of the soldiers. Comment on the effectiveness of the figure of speech used in this line.
This is a metaphor. This is effective as the child is compared to a shadow - which always follows the person creating it around. This emphasises that the killing of children will permanently weigh down the conscience of the soldier. The soldier will be unable to escape from the memory of his horrific and violent crimes.
Critically comment on how the imagery used in lines 20–23 contributes to the central message of the poem.
The child playing in the sun creates a carefree mood without the violence of ‘bullets’ and ‘rifles’ and ‘batons’. ‘Treks’ and ‘travels’ suggests freedom and no more restrictions and confinements of ‘pass’ laws. (1) The image of a ‘giant’ shows that the child is now grown and has embraced his potential. This contributes to the central message - the physical body of the child may die through violence, but the spirit of resistance encapsulated by the child will never die, but live on, get bigger, and travel the world.
Refer to line 3: ‘In bride’s-white, nun’s-white veils …’ Discuss the effectiveness of the compound words (‘bride’s-white, nun’swhite’) in relation to the deceased.
The reference to the ‘bride’s-white’ implies purity/innocence/youth. The reference to the ‘nun’s-white’ refers to holiness/godliness. Brides and nurses dedicate their lives to a ‘new’ life – start of something new/good/pure. Valencia Majombozi / the deceased is described as pure, innocent and young. She was at the cusp of a career after finishing her studies – a new life.
Comment on the effectiveness of the last line to convey the speaker’s message.
The speaker states that is would be better to die than to surrender to the oppressive powers. He is commanding and includes all who are oppressed to fight – ‘we’. This call to action signifies that the injustice of apartheid cannot continue and must be stopped by any means.