QUESTION TWO

Question

Read the following poem and answer the questions that follow.
Shantytown
1 High on the veld upon that plain
2 And far from streets and lights and cars
3 And bare of trees, and bare of grass,
4 Jabavu sleeps beneath the stars.
5 Jabavu sleeps
6 The children cough
7 Cold creeps up, the hard night cold,
8 The earth is tight within its grasp.
9 The high veld cold without soft rain,
10 Dry as the sand, rough as a rasp,
11 The frost-rimmed night invades the shacks
12 Through dusty ground
13 Through freezing ground the night cold creeps
14 In cotton blankets, rags and sacks
15 Beneath the stars Jabavu sleeps.
16 One day Jabavu will awake
17 To greet a new and shining day:
18 The sounds of coughing will become
19 The children's laughter as they play
20 In parks with flowers where dust now swirls
21 In strong-walled homes with warmth and light.
22 But for tonight Jabavu sleeps,
23 Jabavu sleeps. The stars are bright.

QUESTIONS
2.1 Is the title appropriate for the poem? Motivate your answer.
2.2 What style of writing is the poet using in the poem?
2.3 What is the theme of this poem?
2.4 Identity any two personifications used in stanza 2.
(2)
(2)
(2)
(4)
2.5 Refer to line 15. Is the word 'sleeps' used figuratively or literally?
Motivate your answer.
(4)
2.6 In your own words, describe three things that will be different for Shantytown in the future.
(3)

Answer 1

2.1 Is the title appropriate for the poem? Motivate your answer.
Yes, the title "Shantytown" is appropriate for the poem because it reflects the context and setting of the poem, which portrays a marginalized and impoverished community. The poem describes the conditions of Jabavu, a shantytown, highlighting the hardships experienced by its residents, such as the cold, lack of basic amenities, and the hope for a better future. The title encapsulates the essence of the place and its struggles.

2.2 What style of writing is the poet using in the poem?
The poet uses a narrative style combined with vivid imagery and lyrical elements. The poem employs descriptive language to evoke emotions and create a visual representation of the shantytown environment, as well as a sense of longing for hope and improvement. The use of rhyme and rhythm contributes to its lyrical quality, making it resonate more deeply with readers.

2.3 What is the theme of this poem?
The theme of the poem revolves around the contrast between the current hardships of life in Jabavu and the hope for a brighter future. It explores issues such as poverty, suffering, and resilience, while ultimately conveying a message of optimism and the belief that change is possible, as indicated by the vision of children's laughter and a better living environment.

2.4 Identify any two personifications used in stanza 2.

1. "The children cough" – This suggests that the children are not just experiencing a physical act but emphasizes their suffering through the cold, giving their coughing a human-like significance.
2. "The frost-rimmed night invades the shacks" – This personification implies that the night has an active and hostile role, suggesting it can physically enter and affect the people living in the shacks.

2.5 Refer to line 15. Is the word 'sleeps' used figuratively or literally? Motivate your answer.
The word "sleeps" is used figuratively. In this context, it symbolizes the state of the community's stagnation and lack of progress due to their difficult circumstances. While the residents may be literally asleep, the word conveys a deeper meaning of being unaware or unresponsive to their challenging environment and situation, as well as their hope for awakening to a better future.

2.6 In your own words, describe three things that will be different for Shantytown in the future.

1. The noise of children coughing, which reflects the harsh living conditions, will be replaced by the sounds of children laughing as they engage in playful activities.
2. The community will have access to parks filled with flowers instead of the dust and desolation that currently characterize their surroundings, indicating a significant improvement in their living environment.
3. Families will move into strong-walled homes that provide warmth and light, assuring safety and comfort, in contrast to the shacks that are vulnerable to the elements and insecurity.