Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumAnalysis of Prescribed African Poems

Read the excerpt below from Oswald Mtshali's prescribed African poem *Nightfall in Soweto*:

"Nightfall comes like
a dreaded disease
seeping through the pores
of a healthy body"

Which figure of speech is used in the lines above to introduce nightfall, and what central mood does it establish?

  1. Simile, establishing an oppressive and menacing mood of fear.Answer
  2. B
    Metaphor, establishing a hopeful atmosphere of physical healing.
  3. C
    Oxymoron, establishing a peaceful and quiet evening environment.
  4. D
    Paradox, establishing a joyful celebration of nocturnal life.

Answer

Simile, establishing an oppressive and menacing mood of fear.
The poet employs the connective word 'like' to explicitly compare the onset of nightfall to a 'dreaded disease'. This simile conveys the pervasive terror and insecurity associated with nightfall in the poem, thereby establishing a menacing mood of fear.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary poetic device used in the excerpt.
The phrase 'Nightfall comes like a dreaded disease' directly compares nightfall to a disease using the connective word 'like', which defines a simile.
Recognizing explicit comparative connectives such as 'like' or 'as' differentiates a simile from an implied comparison like a metaphor.
2
Analyze the atmospheric effect and mood created by the imagery.
Associating the arrival of night with a 'dreaded disease' attacking a body evokes a tense, menacing, and fearful mood.
Poetic diction and imagery directly shape the emotional atmosphere (mood) experienced by the reader.

Key Concept

Identification of Poetic Devices and Mood in African Poetry
Rate this question

Topics

Analysis of Prescribed African Poems

More questions from this topic