|
READ THIS
At face value, the poem is a description of a thunderstorm raging far away over the Magaliesberg
Mountains beyond Pretoria. The poet watches the lightning flash, hears the thunder rumble and tries to
determine from the time that has elapsed just how far away the storm really is.
There is, however, a deeper meaning. The thunderstorm is a reference to the oncoming revolutionary
storm that was heading South Africa's way, an onslaught of discontent caused by the racist attitudes of
the people and the unjust laws of the country.
From the poet's point of view, this storm was still far away but he knew it was getting closer. He could only
hope that everyone would be safe, huddled away within the seclusion of their homes.
THE POET AND HIS POEM
Adam Schwartzman, a Jewish South African, was born in Johannesburg in 1973. He had therefore not
yet born when the Rivonia treason trial took place in 1963.
Schwartzman's poem is an almost apocalyptic examination of the political storm that awaited the country
as a result of the trial. It views the crisis of the "liberation struggle" in the 1980s as if still something of the
future.
The poet, an academic who worked for a time at the Centre for African Studies at the University of Cape
Town, has been described as having "a strong sensual perception of South Africa, wrestling with the
heritage of segregation and violence in this country".
There is a Rivonia Road in Sandton but it is hardly likely that the poet is referring to it. Instead, he is most
probably looking at the metaphorical road which led from the Rivonia trial of 1963 and culminated in the
armed struggle of the 1970s and 80s.
On trial were 19 African National Congress leaders who had been arrested at Liliesleaf Farm in July 1963.
These included Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki and Raymond Mhlaba.
Originally the death penalty had been requested but this was changed due to world-wide protests.
Instead, eight defendants -- including Nelson Mandela -- were sentenced to life imprisonment.
The trial would be a pivotal point in the history of the liberation movement in South Africa. Indeed, the
ANC evolved from an organisation that had been trying to achieve change through negotiation and then
sabotage into one which sought the absolute overthrow of the racist regime through an armed struggle.
Have you looked at the questions
in the right column?
|
TEST YOURSELF!
Read the left column and then answer
the following questions:
"Things will be darker, not dimmer. When it comes to us,
we will be inside, safely, until, afterwards, we clear the garden table
and find the wine-glasses brimmed and level."
- Is there a difference between "darker" and "dimmer"? (2)
[Need help?]
"Darker" means that the light is fading whereas "dimmer" means that it is no longer bright,
that something can no longer be scene clearly or distinctly.
|
- Why would the poet make such a distinction between "darker" and
"dimmer"? (4)
[Need help?]
The term "darker" carries a threatening tone, as in, "They were dark times". Politically,
therefore, South Africa was heading for dark times when revolution and bloodshed might happen.
|
- To what is the pronoun "it" referring? (2)
[Need help?]
"It" could be referring to either the thunderstorm or to the growing political unrest.
|
- The poet says that, when the storm arrives, they will be "inside, safely". What does he mean
by this? (4)
[Need help?]
In the literal sense, everyone would be safely inside their houses when the thunderstorm hit. On the other
hand, in the political sense, the whites hoped that they would be protected by the South African police or
military forces if or when the political unrest was unleashed. Their "house" was the apartheid state
with its military walls and roof.
|
- What is the implication of finding the wine-glasses "brimmed and level"? (4)
[Need help?]
When the storm is over, the wine glasses left outside on the table are filled to the brim. In other words,
there was a heavy downpour indeed. In the political sense, it was also likely to be a heavy metaphoric
downpour. Wine -- especially red wine -- is often the metaphor for blood. In that sense, the wine
glasses would be filled to overflowing with bloodshed in the revolution.
|
GENERAL QUESTIONS:
- Why is the poem titled "Rivonia Road"? (4)
[Need help?]
The poem uses the image of a thunderstorm as a foundation to highlight the reality of a massive political
storm about to overtake South Africa. The poet takes the Rivonia treason trial of 1963 as the starting point
of this maelstrom: in other words, "the road from Rivonia" would be the great political storm or
revolution.
|
- Why would the poem's subtitle be "without words"? (4)
[Need help?]
Although the poet does indeed use words to write his poem, he nevertheless wishes to put across his
message in the form of an image. His poem describes that image but he wishes us to remember the
picture rather than the words.
|
- The poet uses the coming storm as an image of great catastrophe. What catastrophe is he referring
to? (4)
[Need help?]
Back in the 1980s it seemed that a revolution was inevitable in South Africa. The apartheid government
appeared to have no solution other than to use the might of its army. That very might, however, was
beginning to show cracks and, when even the army failed, the full onslaught of political upheaval and
bloodshed would ravage the country.
|
|
