Telephone Conversation
Wole Soyinka
The price seemed reasonable, location
Indifferent. The landlady swore she lived Off premises. Nothing remained But self-confession. “Madam,” I warned, 5 “I hate a wasted journey—I am African.” Silence. Silenced transmission of Pressurized good-breeding. Voice, when it came, Lipstick coated, long gold-rolled Cigarette-holder pipped. Caught I was, foully. 10 “HOW DARK?” . . . I had not misheard . . . “ARE YOU LIGHT OR VERY DARK?” Button B. Button A. Stench Of rancid breath of public hide-and-speak. Red booth. Red pillar-box. Red double-tiered Omnibus squelching tar. It was real! Shamed 15 By ill-mannered silence, surrender Pushed dumbfoundment to beg simplification. Considerate she was, varying the emphasis— “ARE YOU DARK? OR VERY LIGHT?” Revelation came. “You mean—like plain or milk chocolate?” 20 Her assent was clinical, crushing in its light Impersonality. Rapidly, wavelength adjusted, I chose. “West African sepia”—and as an afterthought, “Down in my passport.” Silence for spectroscopic Flight of fancy, till truthfulness clanged her accent 25 Hard on the mouthpiece. “WHAT’S THAT?” conceding, “DON’T KNOW WHAT THAT IS.” “Like brunette.” “THAT’S DARK, ISN’T IT?” “Not altogether. Facially, I am brunette, but madam, you should see The rest of me. Palm of my hand, soles of my feet 30 Are a peroxide blonde. Friction, caused— Foolishly, madam—by sitting down, has turned My bottom raven black—One moment madam!”—sensing Her receiver rearing on the thunderclap About my ears—“Madam,” I pleaded, “wouldn’t you rather 35 See for yourself?” |
The title suggests that the poem is about a conversation between two people.
It is a free verse poem. After he admits he is African the landlady changes her attitude towards the man. One word sentence using ‘silence’ creates a dramatic pause. The silence after he tells her he is African suggests prejudice and racism and that he would be treated differently to others because of his race. The repetition of silence suggests prejudice. Personification- ‘voice when it came’ The imagery of the bus squelching the black tar is a symbol of how the white community dominates over the black race. Repetition of the color ‘red’ suggests anger and frustration. Short sentences creates pause. Comparing skin color with milk. Capital letters suggests anger. Pauses and breaks suggests anger. Alliteration emphasizes the mans assumption of the woman as well as his anger. |
Racism
Carniz fatema
Racism, Racism, Racism
You give a human sorrow and hate Racism, Racism, Racism Look at what you've done and look at their state Racism, Racism, Racism You are evil and sharp as a knife Racism, Racism, Racism You play with human's life Racism, Racism, Racism Why are you so cruel? Racism, Racism, Racism You are nothing but a fool! Racism, Racism, Racism Why judge by colour? Racism, Racism, Racism You are horrendously disgraceful but hate to admit you've got the power Racism, Racism, Racism Why are you here? Racism, Racism, Racism Your not wanted so go die with fear. |
Repetition emphasizes importance of this word and conveys just how much racism is still present in society.
Personification- Emphasises the affects of racism Simile emphasises how hurtful racism can be. It 'cuts' deep, and it is something that people take very seriously. The use of the words, 'evil', 'sharp' and 'knife' conveys the idea of racism bringing forward violence and power over all people. Repetition You play with human's life- Personification and rhyme. Conveys how controlling over a person racism can be. It shows just how harmful racism is to the well-being of a person and how they see themself. Use of rhetorical questions engages the reader and makes them question themselves- am I racist? You are nothing but a fool! - Rhyme. Exclamation mark suggests anger shows the poem in the perspective of the victim. Why are you here? - Rhetorical question makes readers wonder why racism exists. While also making the reader understand that racism is apparent because of us, all people in the world. Your not wanted so go die with fear– Rhyming. shows that racism is most definitely one of the most negative and largest issues in today's society, and it is something that only people can change. it won't just change over time...something needs to be done. |