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This poem looks at the inner spirit of mankind, but especially the poet's own society which could remain
bitter and angry forever at its treatment at the hands of the former colonial power.
This anger, he says, is quite unnecessary. Indeed, if one surveys the world from the vantage of a positive
mind, one might see all sorts of advantages and things to be joyful about. It is purely a matter of the mind
and of perspective.
A NOTE ON THE POET
Charles Mungoshi was born of farming parents in Rhodesia -- now Zimbabwe -- in 1947. He is
regarded as one of his country's most prominent writers.
He has written novels, short stories and poetry, using both the Shona and English languages.
It has been said that his work deals subtly with the cultural complexities of Zimbabwe, and especially of
the conflict between the younger and older generations as well as the different rural and urban loyalties.
From 1975 to 1981, Mungoshi worked for the Literature Bureau of Zimbabwe as an editor, and then joined
the Zimbabwe Publishing House.
Later he become the "Writer in Residence" at the University of Zimbabwe. After that, however, he
tended to work freelance.
It has been said that Mungoshi's poetry paints a "multi-layered world of meaning" in which he uses
a short and condensed style of writing.
It has also been said that his poetry rarely makes socio-political statements but this is questionable.
Indeed, his socio-political comments are sometimes hidden in what appears to be a rather simple
comment on reality.
His writings have won him several awards, including an Honorary Doctorate from the University of
Zimbabwe.
Have you looked at the questions in the right column?
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TEST YOURSELF!
Read the left column and then answer the following questions:
"If you don't stay bitter
and angry for too long
you might finally salvage
something useful
from the old country"
- What is this bitterness and anger about which the poet is speaking? (2)
[Need help?]
The poet is probably speaking about the bitterness and anger at the former colonial power in Rhodesia
-- now Zimbabwe. The scars of inequality sink deep and sometimes take years -- if not generations --
to recover from.
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- What does the poet mean when he refers to "the old country"? (4)
[Need help?]
The "old country" would be a reference to Rhodesia, the former colony now called Zimbabwe.
There is, however, a tone of affection in the words, nostalgia for the country he calls "home".
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"a lazy half sleep summer afternoon
for instance, with the whoof-whoof
of grazing cattle in your ears
tails swishing, flicking flies away"
- What language device (figure of speech) is "whoof-whoof"? (1)
[Need help?]
This is onomatopoeia , is it not?
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- To what does "whoof-whoof" refer? (2)
[Need help?]
The "whoof-whoof" most probably refers to the noise of the cattle tearing the grass with their
tongues. It's a strange noise indeed as the cattle wrap their tongues round the grass and tug it free,
making a sound much like "whoof-whoof".
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"the bantering tone you used with your
grandmother and their old laugh
that said nothing matters but death"
- What is meant by "the bantering tone"? (2)
[Need help?]
"Bantering" is playfulness. The grandmother and her grandson are playing with each other. Their
words do not convey any form of insult even though their words might sound insulting.
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- Explain the relationship between the boy and his grandmother. (4)
[Need help?]
There is a light-hearted, loving relationship between the boy and his grandmother. They enjoy playing with
each other, bantering. Their words are not serious.
Indeed, the grandmother has reached the time of life when only death troubles her and is taken seriously.
Events from the colonial past are no longer disturbing to her.
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- Why is their laugh an "old" one? (4)
[Need help?]
There could be two meanings here. The woman's laugh is an "old" one because she herself is old.
On the other hand, the relationship between her and her grandson is itself now an old one because it has
been happening for so many years. Indeed, they are now old friends.
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"If you . . . have the courage to go back
you will discover that the autumn smoke
writes different more helpful messages
in the high skies of the old country."
- What does the poet mean when he says "go back"? Go back where? (4)
[Need help?]
Once again we may perhaps be confronted with several meanings in these words.
The poet could refer to a return to the past history of his country where, when revisited, events no longer
look as threatening as they once did.
Or perhaps he is calling to political exiles to return home. They would indeed need courage to go back
because the world they knew would have changed but, at the same time, not everything would be as they
would like it.
On the other hand, he might be referring to going back into one's conscience and away from the reality
which would appear to exist. Perhaps when one allows one's conscience to rule, things will no longer
appear as harsh as they do in real life.
The poet is perhaps putting across a similar message to the one proposed in the movie The
Matrix: that the world you see is not the real world.
To put aside the senses, however, and view the world through the eyes of the spirit or conscience takes
courage because it runs counter to the accepted view of society.
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- Why does the poet refer specifically to "the autumn smoke"? Is there any special significance
to "autumn"? (4)
[Need help?]
Autumn is the metaphorical time of gentleness, the season of "mists and mellow fruitfulness". It
is the time to put aside the harsh realities of summer and rest in a philosophical and mellow mood before
the winter sets in.
The autumn smoke therefore writes different messages to those written in spring and summer. It's
message is of tranquillity, of forgiveness, where one is reminded that perhaps there is a different side to
life than the one we see in the harsh light of summer.
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