Here we have provided A Far Cry from Africa questions and answers
Table of Contents
- A Far Cry from Africa SAQ
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- Who wrote the poem “A far cry from Africa”?
- What is the theme of the poem?
- What is the meaning of the line “A wind is ruffling the tawny pelt of Africa”?
- Who are the Kikuyu?
- What do the Kikuyu do in the poem?
- What is the veldt?
- What is the significance of the corpses scattered through a paradise in the poem?
- What does the colonel of carrion represent in the poem?
- What do statistics and scholars justify in the poem?
- What is the speaker’s tone in “A Far Cry from Africa”?
- What is the theme of the poem “A Far Cry from Africa”?
- What is the significance of the wind in the poem?
- What do the ibises symbolize in the poem?
- What is the meaning of the line “Batten upon the bloodstreams of the veldt”?
- Who is the colonel of carrion in the poem?
- What is the significance of the phrase “waste no compassion on these separate dead”?
- What do statistics and scholars represent in the poem?
- What is the significance of the line “To savages, expendable as Jews?”
- What is the meaning of the phrase “threshed out by beaters”?
- What is the significance of “The violence of beast on beast” in the poem?
- What is the meaning of the phrase “seeks his divinity by inflicting pain”?
- What is the significance of the phrase “the white peace contracted by the dead”?
- What is the meaning of the phrase “again brutish necessity wipes its hands”?
- Who is the gorilla in the poem?
- What is the significance of the phrase “poisoned with the blood of both”?
- Who is the drunken officer of British rule in the poem?
- What is the significance of the phrase “how choose /Between this Africa and the English tongue I love”?
- What is the meaning of the phrase “give back what they give”?
- What is the significance of the phrase “how can I turn from Africa and live”?
- What is the speaker’s attitude towards colonialism?
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- A Far Cry from Africa LAQ
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- What is the theme of the poem “A Far Cry from Africa”?
- What is the significance of the wind in the poem?
- What is the meaning of the line “To savages, expendable as Jews?”
- What is the significance of the violence of beast on beast in the poem?
- What is the significance of the phrase “give back what they give”?
- What is the significance of the phrase “colonel of carrion”?
- What is the significance of the line “Statistics justify and scholars seize the salients of colonial policy”?
- What is the significance of the phrase “white peace contracted by the dead”?
- What is the significance of the line “Again brutish necessity wipes its hands”?
- What is the significance of the phrase “the violence of beast on beast is read as natural law”?
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A Far Cry from Africa SAQ
Who wrote the poem “A far cry from Africa”?
The poem “A far cry from Africa” was written by Derek Walcott.
What is the theme of the poem?
The theme of the poem is the violence and brutality of colonialism in Africa and the poet’s struggle to reconcile his conflicting loyalties.
What is the meaning of the line “A wind is ruffling the tawny pelt of Africa”?
The line refers to the stirring of the natural elements in Africa and foreshadows the violence and upheaval to come.
Who are the Kikuyu?
The Kikuyu are an ethnic group in Kenya.
What do the Kikuyu do in the poem?
The Kikuyu are described as quick as flies and batten upon the bloodstreams of the veldt, suggesting their predatory and opportunistic behaviour.
What is the veldt?
The veldt is a grassy plain in southern Africa.
What is the significance of the corpses scattered through a paradise in the poem?
The phrase highlights the contradiction between the beauty of Africa and the violence of colonialism.
What does the colonel of carrion represent in the poem?
The colonel of carrion represents the scavengers that thrive on the corpses of the dead and the indifference of the natural world to human suffering.
What do statistics and scholars justify in the poem?
Statistics and scholars justify the salients of colonial policy, which often prioritized economic and political interests over the welfare of the local population.
What is the speaker’s tone in “A Far Cry from Africa”?
The speaker’s tone is conflicted and anguished.
What is the theme of the poem “A Far Cry from Africa”?
The theme of the poem is the impact of colonialism and violence on Africa and its people.
What is the significance of the wind in the poem?
The wind symbolizes the turmoil and unrest in Africa.
What do the ibises symbolize in the poem?
The ibises represent the natural world and the violence that exists within it.
What is the meaning of the line “Batten upon the bloodstreams of the veldt”?
This line refers to the Kikuyu people feeding on the blood of animals in the veldt.
Who is the colonel of carrion in the poem?
The colonel of carrion is a worm that feeds on dead bodies.
What is the significance of the phrase “waste no compassion on these separate dead”?
This phrase suggests that the dead are not worthy of sympathy or mourning.
What do statistics and scholars represent in the poem?
Statistics and scholars represent the justification and rationalization of colonial policies.
What is the significance of the line “To savages, expendable as Jews?”
This line compares the treatment of African people to the treatment of Jews during the Holocaust.
What is the meaning of the phrase “threshed out by beaters”?
This phrase describes the process of separating grains from the stalks.
What is the significance of “The violence of beast on beast” in the poem?
The violence of beast on beast represents the brutality of the natural world.
What is the meaning of the phrase “seeks his divinity by inflicting pain”?
This phrase suggests that humans seek power and control by inflicting pain on others.
What is the significance of the phrase “the white peace contracted by the dead”?
This phrase suggests that peace was achieved through violence and bloodshed.
What is the meaning of the phrase “again brutish necessity wipes its hands”?
This phrase suggests that violence is a necessary evil.
Who is the gorilla in the poem?
The gorilla represents Africa and its people.
What is the significance of the phrase “poisoned with the blood of both”?
This phrase suggests that the speaker is conflicted between his African and British identities.
Who is the drunken officer of British rule in the poem?
The drunken officer of British rule represents the oppressive British colonial government.
What is the significance of the phrase “how choose /Between this Africa and the English tongue I love”?
These lines suggest that the speaker is torn between his love for his African heritage and his affinity for the English language.
What is the meaning of the phrase “give back what they give”?
This phrase suggests that the speaker wants to retaliate against the injustices he has experienced.
What is the significance of the phrase “how can I turn from Africa and live”?
This phrase suggests that the speaker feels a deep connection to Africa and cannot imagine leaving it.
What is the speaker’s attitude towards colonialism?
The speaker’s attitude towards colonialism is critical and condemnatory. The poem highlights the devastating impact of colonialism and the violence and oppression that it brought to Africa and its people. The speaker is conflicted and anguished about the situation, but ultimately portrays colonialism as a brutal and unjust system.
A Far Cry from Africa LAQ
What is the theme of the poem “A Far Cry from Africa”?
The theme of “A Far Cry from Africa” is the impact of colonialism and violence on Africa and its people. The poem explores the devastation and destruction caused by colonialism, and the way in which it has left deep scars on the land, the people, and their culture. The poem also highlights the cruelty and brutality that was a hallmark of colonialism, and the way in which it was justified through statistics and scholarship. Ultimately, the poem is a powerful condemnation of the violence and oppression that was inflicted upon Africa, and a call for recognition of the pain and suffering that was endured.
What is the significance of the wind in the poem?
The wind in the poem is a symbol of the turmoil and unrest in Africa. The wind is described as ruffling the tawny pelt of Africa, which suggests that something is stirring beneath the surface. The wind also suggests a sense of unease and uncertainty, as though the land itself is restless and agitated. This is significant because it sets the tone for the rest of the poem, and prepares the reader for the violence and upheaval that is to come.
What is the meaning of the line “To savages, expendable as Jews?”
The line “To savages, expendable as Jews” is a powerful comparison between the treatment of African people and the treatment of Jews during the Holocaust. It suggests that both groups were seen as disposable and unworthy of compassion or respect. The line also highlights the way in which colonialism dehumanized African people and treated them as objects rather than as human beings. By making this comparison, the speaker draws attention to the horrors of colonialism and the way in which it perpetuated a system of oppression and violence.
What is the significance of the violence of beast on beast in the poem?
The violence of beast on beast in the poem represents the brutality of the natural world. The poem suggests that animals are violent and aggressive by nature, and that this violence is a natural law that cannot be changed. However, the poem also suggests that humans are different from animals in that they seek to inflict pain and suffering on others in order to assert their dominance and control. By highlighting this contrast between animal violence and human violence, the poem underscores the cruelty and inhumanity of colonialism.
What is the significance of the phrase “give back what they give”?
The phrase “give back what they give” suggests that the speaker wants to retaliate against the injustices he has experienced. This is significant because it suggests that the speaker is no longer willing to be passive in the face of oppression and violence. The phrase also suggests a desire for justice and retribution, and a refusal to accept the status quo. By using this phrase, the speaker highlights the need for change and the importance of standing up against injustice.
What is the significance of the phrase “colonel of carrion”?
The phrase “colonel of carrion” refers to the worm that feeds on dead bodies. This phrase is significant because it suggests a detachment and lack of compassion towards the dead. The worm is described as a colonel, which implies a sense of authority and control over the dead bodies. This highlights the way in which colonialism dehumanized African people and treated them as objects rather than as human beings. By using this phrase, the speaker underscores the brutality and inhumanity of colonialism.
What is the significance of the line “Statistics justify and scholars seize the salients of colonial policy”?
The line “Statistics justify and scholars seize the salients of colonial policy” suggests that colonialism was justified through the use of data and scholarship. The line highlights the way in which colonialism was seen as a scientific and rational system, rather than as a brutal and oppressive one. This is significant because it suggests that the violence and oppression of colonialism were seen as necessary and justified, rather than as immoral and unjust. By using this line, the speaker critiques the way in which colonialism was justified and normalized through the use of statistics and scholarship.
What is the significance of the phrase “white peace contracted by the dead”?
The phrase “white peace contracted by the dead” refers to the idea that peace was achieved through the deaths of African people. This phrase is significant because it suggests a sense of injustice and unfairness in the way that peace was achieved. The phrase also highlights the way in which colonialism was based on a system of violence and domination, rather than on mutual respect and cooperation. By using this phrase, the speaker underscores the brutality and inhumanity of colonialism.
What is the significance of the line “Again brutish necessity wipes its hands”?
The line “Again brutish necessity wipes its hands” suggests that the violence and brutality of colonialism are seen as necessary. The phrase “brutish necessity” implies a sense of inevitability and inevitability, and suggests that the violence of colonialism was simply a fact of life. This is significant because it underscores the way in which colonialism was justified through the use of necessity and pragmatism, rather than through moral considerations. By using this line, the speaker critiques the way in which colonialism was normalized and justified as a necessary evil.
What is the significance of the phrase “the violence of beast on beast is read as natural law”?
The phrase “the violence of beast on beast is read as natural law” suggests that violence and aggression are seen as a natural part of the world. The phrase highlights the idea that animals are violent by nature, and that this violence is simply a fact of life. However, the phrase also suggests that humans are different from animals in that they have the ability to choose whether or not to be violent. By using this phrase, the speaker underscores the inhumanity and cruelty of colonialism, and suggests that it was not a natural or inevitable part of the world.
