which poem is the line from?
"Like a madman chasing nothing." line 9.
An African Thunderstorm by David Rubadiri
What is the literal meaning in the poem "Death Be Not Proud" by John Donne?
a direct and assertive command, addressed to Death itself by the persona, instructing it not to take pride in its power.
"Through toughened, tinted glass the contrasts tantalise" line 22.
Alliteration
What theme is in the line:
"I wish my teacher's eyes wouldn't go past me today." lines 1-2.
Wistfulness/longing
The persona confronts Death and tells him that he is dependent on other sources for power and to boost his ego.
"Death Be Not Proud" by John Donne
"galvanised shanties overseen by condominiums" line 27.
"West Indies, USA" by Stewart Brown.
What is the literal meaning in "South" by Kamau Brathwaite.
The persona, now living away from home, is nostalgic for his island home, which is situated south of the United States.
"Sprawl like grandchildren about the knees/ Of seated elders." lines 13-14
Personification
What theme is dominant in:
"gallivanting all night without skin,/ burning myself out like cane-fire..." lines 2-3.
The Supernatural
It's a peaceful day out in nature. That is, until some children come and ruin it with their experiments.
"A Lesson for This Sunday" Derek Walcott
"...came at my window, life heaved and breathed in me..." line 5.
"South" by Kamau Brathwaite
What is the literal meaning in: "Test Match, Sabina Park" by Stewart Brown
The persona is an Englishman who comes to Sabina Park to watch a cricket match between his home team and the West Indies team. A proud man, he becomes uneasy once he realizes that something is wrong. His team appears to be abstaining from any exciting gameplay, and the pace of the match is slow, which causes directed comments from the crowd.
"Wish people wouldn't talk as if I dropped from Mars." lines 25-26
Simile
What theme is dominant in:
"Subtle Uncle Sam, afraid too many desperate blacks/might re-enslave this Island of the free..."
Racism or Control
Dreams and aspirations are evident. This boy just wants to belong and not portrayed as an alien.
"Dreaming Black Boy" James Berry
"...to that fresh pulse in the middle of the night..." line 21.
"Ol'Higue" by Mark McWatt
What is the literal meaning in: "West Indies, USA" by Stewart Brown.
It is about a man who was visiting several Caribbean islands and was excited to reach Puerto Rico because he thought it was going to be the best island out of all the islands he visited. He realized that it was just like the other islands, because it too had black people and inner city areas, but the main difference was that it was owned by "The USA".
"The girl, in lemon frock, begins to scream/As the maimed, teetering thing attempts its flight." lines 19-20.
Visual and Auditory Imagery
What theme is most dominant in:
"Proudly wearing the rosette of my skin/ I strut into Sabina" lines 1-2
Race
I admire his work. He captures every feature of nature perfectly with just a brush on his easel.
"Landscape Painter, Jamaica" by Vivian Virtue
"...to the best of tune up, and earn/good money and not sink to lick/ boots." lines 9-11.
"Dreaming Black Boy" by James Berry
What is the literal meaning in the poem "An African Thunderstorm" by David Rubadiri
The poem opens with storm winds and thunderclouds blowing in from the west, violently churning up items in their path. The storm's senseless destruction is like that of an invading insect swarm (like a biblical "plague of locusts"), or like an insane person running after nothing.
"Rumble, tremble, and crack" line 31.
Onomatopoeia
"But today I recapture the islands'/bright beaches: blue mist from the ocean/rolling into the fishermen's houses." lines 1-3.
Nostalgia
"...praps dem should-a-borrow Lawrence Rowe!" the rowdy crowd shouted.
"Test Match, Sabina Park" by Stewart Brown