A Far cry From Africa

Question 1

What is the main theme of ‘A Far Cry from Africa’ by Derek Walcott?

Answer 1

Ethnic conflict and divided loyalties

The poem reflects the complexities of identity and colonialism.

Question 2

What historical event does the poem reference?

Answer 2

The Mau Mau Uprising

A violent conflict between European settlers and the Kikuyu tribe in Kenya during the 1950s.

Question 3

What happened to the Kikuyu tribe during European colonization?

Answer 3

They were relegated to subservience under European control

This included being forced off their lands and losing control over farmland.

Question 4

How is the poem structured?

Answer 4

It is divided into two parts with varying stanza lengths

Stanza 1 has 21 lines and Stanza 2 has 11 lines.

Question 5

What internal conflict does Walcott express in the poem?

Answer 5

His mixed heritage and feelings of being both an insider and outsider

His grandmothers were black and his grandfathers were white.

Question 6

What was the role of the Mau Mau in the conflict?

Answer 6

They aimed to eliminate European influence

Some Kikuyus supported the British while others remained neutral.

Question 7

True or False: Walcott fully supports the violence of the Mau Mau.

Answer 7

False

Walcott opposes colonialism but has reservations about the extreme violence of the Mau Mau.

Question 8

What is the significance of the poem’s lack of a strict rhyme scheme?

Answer 8

It creates a stilted, disjointed feel that mirrors emotional conflict

This reflects the unresolved nature of both the Kenyan conflict and Walcott’s internal struggle.

Question 9

Fill in the blank: The Mau Mau Uprising began in _______.

Answer 9

1952

The uprising aimed to combat British colonial rule in Kenya.

Question 10

What does the increasing stanza length in the poem signify?

Answer 10

A middle ground between formal verse and free verse

This subtly challenges traditional poetic constraints.

Question 11

What is the rhythm of the poem described as?

Answer 11

Inconsistent with varying beats in each line

This inconsistency adds to the sense of discord within the poem.

Question 12

What does the poem’s free verse structure allow?

Answer 12

Hidden flexibility and invention of a new form

It contrasts with older conventions of traditional poetry.

Question 13

Structure

Question 14

metaphor for formal constraints in poetry.

Question 15

This metaphor reflects the speaker’s meditation on the role of English for colonized people: English is both a

Question 16

means of self-expression and an inescapable bond with the colonizers.

Question 17

• The poem’s form mirrors this tension

Answer 17

engaging with formal poetic constraints while addressing colonial

Question 18

oppression.

Question 19

• At the same time

Answer 19

the speaker embraces English’s expressive possibilities

Question 20

poem’s form.

Question 21

Themes

Question 22

• The language used in the poem is deeply rooted in African culture

Answer 22

reinforcing its connection to the African

Question 23

experience

Answer 23

much like the speaker’s nuanced exploration of the Mau Mau Uprising.

Question 24

. Colonialism and divided identity

Question 25

50

Question 26

OVoTE all82%

Question 27

o The speaker struggles with divided loyalties due to his African and European heritage.

Question 28

o The poem reflects the broader conflict faced by colonized individuals who feel alienated from both their

Question 29

native culture and the colonizing power.

Question 30

o The speaker's inability to fully align with either side highlights the emotional toll of colonialism on

Question 31

personal identity.

Question 32

• Language as a tool of resistance and self-expression

Question 33

o The speaker uses English

Answer 33

the colonizers' language

Question 34

o English represents both oppression and artistic freedom for the speaker.

Question 35

a tool of resistance for colonized people.

Question 36

Themes

Question 37

o The duality of using the colonizers' language underscores how language can be both a form of control and

Question 38

• Humanity and violence

Question 39

The poem examines the brutality of the Mau Mau Uprising

Answer 39

showcasing the dehumanizing effects of

Question 40

violence on all sides.

Question 41

o The speaker sympathizes with the oppressed but is horrified by the extreme violence used by the Mau

Question 42

Mau.

Question 43

Edit

Question 44

o This theme raises moral questions about the cost of freedom and the loss of humanity through violent

Question 45

resistance.

Question 46

What imagery is used to describe Africa in the poem?

Answer 46

A wind ruffling the tawny pelt of Africa ## Footnote This sets a vivid scene of the African landscape.

Question 47

What does the poem suggest about the perception of colonial policies?

Answer 47

Statistics justify and scholars seize the salients of colonial policy ## Footnote This highlights the disconnect between academic analysis and the human cost.

Question 48

What does the 'worm, colonel of carrion' symbolize in the poem?

Answer 48

The inevitability of death and the futility of compassion for the dead ## Footnote This suggests that the dead are often overlooked in discussions of colonialism.

Question 49

Fill in the blank: The violence of beast on beast is read as _______.

Answer 49

[natural law]

Question 50

What does the poem imply about man's nature compared to beasts?

Answer 50

Upright man seeks his divinity by inflicting pain ## Footnote This contrasts human actions with animal instincts.

Question 51

What is the tone of the speaker regarding their identity?

Answer 51

Divided and conflicted ## Footnote The speaker feels torn between Africa and British identity.

Question 52

What metaphor is used to describe the struggle between different identities?

Answer 52

The gorilla wrestles with the superman ## Footnote This suggests a struggle between primitive and civilized identities.

Question 53

True or False: The poem expresses a clear preference for either African or British identity.

Answer 53

False ## Footnote The speaker grapples with their divided loyalties.

Question 54

What does the speaker question about their response to violence?

Answer 54

How can I face such slaughter and be cool? ## Footnote This reflects the emotional turmoil experienced by the speaker.

Question 55

Fill in the blank: The speaker feels poisoned by the blood of _______.

Answer 55

[both Africa and British rule]