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Read the following oral poem and answer the questions that follow

      

Read the following oral poem and answer the questions that follow:
The poor man knows not how to eat with a rich man.
When they eat fish, he eats the head.
Invite a poor man and he rushes in
Licking his lips and upsetting the plates.
The poor man has no manners; he comes along with the blood of lice under his nails.
The face of a poor man is lined
From hunger that thirst in his belly.
Poverty is no state for any mortal man.
It makes him a best to be fed on grass.
Poverty is unjust. If it befalls a man,
Though he is nobly born, he has no power with God.
(Anonymous from Swahili poetry by L. Harries)

a) What evidence is there to show that this is an oral poem? Identify and illustrate any two such features. (4 marks)

b) Describe a probable situation in which such a poem could be performed
(3 marks)

c) If you were to do a solo performance of this oral poem, what element would you emphasize? (6 marks)

d) What does the phrase --- 'with the blood of lice under his nails' reveal about the poor man? (2 marks)

e) Describe with illustrations the tone of this poem. (3 marks)

f) Explain the meaning of the following

i) He eats the head

ii) He has no power with God

  

Answers


Martin
i) Direct translation
'The poor man has no manners'

ii) Personification
'From hunger that thirst in his belly ' (2 pts 2mks = 4mks)

b) Can be directed at the youth (1mk)
As a way of cautioning them to abhor laziness and to embrace hard work / industry as means of avoiding the pitfalls / problems facing the poor man. The poor man is portrayed as an individual who is devoid of self dignity.
(2mks)
i) Tonal variation;
ii) Gestures
iii) Dramatization
iv) Mimicry
v) Facial expressions (Any 3 elements + illust = 6mks)
d) A louse is an insect associated with dirt or unhygienic conditions. It dwells in bodies of individuals who are dirty. As such, the poor man is portrayed as dirty. (2mks)

e) Humorous tone / satirical tone. (1 mk)
Illustration,

'Invite a poor man and he rushes in'
'Licking his lips and upsetting the plates'
'Poverty is unjust. If it befalls a man, though he is nobly born, he has no power with God'

f) i) He lacks any form of self dignity i.e. poverty has Dehumanized
him.

ii) Poverty is like a curse which one cannot extricate himself from. (2 mks)
marto answered the question on April 2, 2019 at 07:23


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