As an example, let's look at "Nothing Gold Can Stay" by Robert Frost. In other words, he is not the problem. quotes the proverb after being challenged by an employee that suggest a fork being a centimeter off center wasn't a problem. The Problem That Has No Name. The poem raises awareness about this continued struggle. He educated himself after leaving his school following a criminal conviction. It is an effective and emotional way to begin the piece. The main symbol used in the poem is the Ellis Island. When reading a number of works by the same author, there tends to be a continuity of voice present. 4 as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy. The most striking thing about Zephaniahs work is his use of voice, which he imbues into No Problem through intentionally spelling the words phonetically, rather than in a strictly correct way. Thomas Wyatt's well-known sonnet 'I Find no Peace' describes the intense emotions and wavering moods that being in love can cause. In 'The Road Not Taken', Frost does not indicate whether the road he chose was the right one. He says that yes, society is a lot more tolerant than it was 50 years ago but there is still work to do. As I get older, An I am . Ideas and language. Zephaniah is disarming the assumption that he is antagonistic toward white people before they even have a chance to direct that argument at him. There is no rhyme scheme, and the metre varies from line to line. Let us know your assignment type and we'll make sure to get you exactly the kind of answer you need. Its their problem that they cant accept the poet as he is. Zephaniah triumphs because he is too 'versatile' to be put in a 'pigeon hole' Summary. Poetry is meant to be read aloud. This illustrates the fact that the racial stereotypes, of which being a good dancer is one, are an injustice to the speaker. Gcina Mhlophe is one of a few womenstoryteller in a country dominated by males. Right away, the reader is informed that this is someone elses story, and are told, in that one line, who that someone is, and why they should care about what they have to say and its all in the voice. College Aesthetic. The struggle continues. "But day got me on de run now I am branded athletic". Of silly playground taunts. Part of English. The poem's brilliant final line works on two levels. This short poem by Benjamin Zephaniah is an account of the racism that he has experienced, documenting society's tendency to pigeonhole him into a specific role. Yu put me in a pigeon hole. At the time of reading, there is no reason to assume or believe they deserve any kind of victimization, so the effect is that the reader is meeting the speaker for the first time, only to learn that they are bearing weight. The next several lines reference the stereotype that pushes people of color away from academia, and towards athleticism. Besides, They'll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed I, too, am America. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Written in 1996, the poems primary aim is to tackle modern racism, which Zephaniah describes as being more subtle than in the past. He is acknowledging that oftentimes when white people are forced to confront their own racism, they respond with the assertion that they "have black friends." Read Poem. Strong links between these two anti-racist performance poems. What is the line-by-line meaning of the poem "The Lost Dances of Cranes" by Juliet Wilson? Invictus by William Ernest Henley 'Invictus' is W.E. Language: Stereotypes/Cliches. Zephaniah refers to England as the Mother country which is applicable due to Englands relation with its colonies, with Britain historically being the great colonial power. character analysis and bio poem problem and solution literary devices text features inferences author s techniques theme in picture books character traits in harry potter when marian sings 1 week plan what good readers do, problem solved by annette gulati 1 show the problem and solution Ideal for use in GCSE Poetry lessons, everything you could ever need to teach the poem is included in this download. pptx, 5.08 MB. Poem analysis is one of the most complicated essay types. The English language draws a terminological distinction (which does not exist in every language) between translating (a written text) and interpreting (oral or signed communication between users of different languages); under this distinction, translation can begin only . - 2 stanzas. Zephaniahs use of the personal pronoun I as the opening word, evokes an immediately personal tone that is maintained throughout due to its repetition. Read the poem aloud. Language: Colloquial Language/Dialect. 'No Problem' by Benjamin Zephaniah is a dynamic poem that explores concept of racial stereotypes and discrimination this text resonates strongly in the current world climate of conflict and therefore holds significant meaning. - 2nd stanza: more blunt. 5 friend's or of thine own were; any man's death. The primary poetic device being used is in the line breaks that isolate each idea and make sure the reader is feeling the full impact of each one. In addition to her proliferous writing career, Maya Angelou has been a civil rights activist. 4 14 reviews. 2022 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. He has fought against homophobia in his native country of Jamaica, and against racism in his current country of Britain. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. The second verse is about putting completing the picture that the commentators quoted in the first verse get wrong. No Problem by Benjamin Zephaniah isnt a poem that is hard to comprehend. DoctorGonzo. Write a brief critical analysis of the poem "The Pauper" by Richard Ntiru. Having just declared his defiance, the beginning of the second stanza is quite harrowing for the reader as the tone shifts from quite optimistic to serious, and they learn that the impacts of racism on the speaker extend into the long-term far beyond the instance itself. You can read the full poem No Problem here. The first word in the poem is I, and it is followed by words that convey an accent foreign to the readership. It is through you visiting Poem Analysis that we are able to contribute to charity. He writes about his direct experience of racism and prejudice and is politically and socially very active campaigning on a range of issues such as gay rights in Jamaica, voting reform and animal rights. The speaker is defiant, however, and combats this, responding he is versatile. Part 1 introduces the transcendental nature lover ("A Forest Seer") in terms. Surprisingly, the speaker has none acting like the bigger man, owing to his knowledge that his race is not the problem, but those that vindicate him for it are. Unseen air comes in and gets out of us. Henley's most famous and inspirational poem, that resonates with people worldwide. They are a complex individual, a unique and inspiring person, but the simplicity of the popular stereotypes overshadows them entirely. I need help analyzing "The British (serves 60 million)" by Benjamin Zephaniah. Pam Ayres is a great poet for this, and I frequently use her poem, 'Oh I wish I'd Looked After My Teeth.' It is humorous and arranged in limerick form for each verse. As mentioned in the summary, the racism that Zephaniah experienced as a schoolboy is a key focus in this poem. Tracing of an engraving of the Sosibios vase by Keats. No Problem focuses, especially, on the racism he endured as a schoolboy in Birmingham recounting the silly playground taunts and racist stunts that he suffered. This poem is about the road taken, to . He is making a claim against patronizing racism that does not call out any particular person for being deliberately antagonistic, but instead addresses ignorance in general and the frustration that he feels with it. Throughout the first verse, this line is repeated several times, each time to view a different dimension of the actual problem. If yu give I a chance. . Mother to Son Poem Analysis Lines 1-7. Continue with Recommended Cookies. This video outlines all of the notes of analysis you will need to achieve perfect marks in your GCSE poetry exam for the poem No Problem by Benjamin Zaphania. More importantly, though, he is returning to the central theme of stereotyping. "Say No" poem by Gcina Mhlophe employs first person point of view, while "Station Metro" by Pound uses third person point of view. These conditions may affect me. The poem's title. "If yu give I a chance". The most striking thing about Zephaniahs work is his use of voice, which he imbues into the poem through intentionally spelling the words phonetically, rather than in a strictly correct way. 5 That loseth nor locketh holdeth me in prison. Monk: "For the want of a nail, the kingdom was lost." . This line is a refrain that is repeated throughout the poem. School Notes. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like The first 3 lines that make us think about the school yard and schools where many face racial abuse:, PE staff making him run as he was stereotyped 'naturally athletic', Showing that he is culture and knowledge , not just a stereotype for example, black people have 'natural rhythm' and more. He proclaims himself as a versatile person who wanted to teach the things he knew. Latest answer posted November 25, 2019 at 5:44:00 AM. Toward the end of the book, she explicitly defines "the problem" as "simply the fact that American women are kept from growing to their full human capacities.". https://poemanalysis.com/benjamin-zephaniah/no-problem/, Poems covered in the Educational Syllabus. Nokugcina Elsie Mhlophe was born in 1958 and she is a South African freedom fighter, activist, actress, storyteller, poet, playwrite, director and a autor. The two texts also have different tones. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our work is created by a team of talented poetry experts, to provide an in-depth look into poetry, like no other. No problem Benjamin Zephaniah The most striking characteristic of this poem is the voice; that of the poet, a young black man with the distinctive accent and speech rhythms of his Jamaican. On His Blindness Analysis. 'No Problem' focuses, especially, on the racism he endured as a schoolboy in Birmingham - recounting the 'silly playground taunts' and 'racist stunts' that he suffered. Structure. He wrote the poem in 1875 and dedicated it Scottish flour merchant named Robert Thomas Hamilton Bruce. The author decides to allow their personality to enter the work, to fill it with their unique perspective and feeling. And yet, the image painted by this poem is of someone with a great deal of acceptance for their world, and both the good and the bad within it. Please continue to help us support the fight against dementia with Alzheimer's Research Charity. Manage Settings The poem was written as a part of the book-length sequence, Montage of a Dream Deferred. Thats why some of the best friends of the poet are white. 1 (Jan., 1980), pp. The creole gives the poem its energy and authenticity and reminds us that this is a poem to be performed. It's their problem that they can't accept the poet as he is. It has a regular rhythm and rhyme. Share this. The last verse opens with an interesting expression; that these conditions might affect the speaker as they age. Such a life could only be achieved in a destination that was conducive and different from the situation in . Poetry analysis is the process of reviewing the multiple artistic, functional, and structural pieces that make up a poem. When reading several works by the same author, there tends to be a continuity of voice present. Benjamin Zephania found school difficult being a dyslexic, black teenager in the 1970s. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. They are a person who could tell you about Timbuktu, but all anyone seems to care about is the dancing from the region. Poem Analysis. The spelling of each word emphasizes an accent typical of the African continent, which makes sense in accordance with the message the work attempts to convey. Gary's Auto Service has dedicated itself to providing Florissant customers with the highest quality auto repair services. Overall, despite both poems being written in 1996 and sharing the same theme they offer different views and experiences on racism, 'half cast" is much more of a confrontational poem that seeks justification whereas "No Problem" appears to be about personal experiences that aims to tyrannize its readers. Historically, it was established as a scholarly centre in Africa thanks to its important book trade together with its Islamic university, Sankore Madrasah. Explore. No Problem by Benjamin Zephaniah is an ideal example of a poem that utilizes voice as best as it can be used. Fully annotated.Colour coded with language, structure and context. 24 June 2016. Watch. No Problem by Benjamin Zephaniah is divided into two verses of short lines without any particular adherence to rhyme or pattern. Understandably enough, many people would become bitter and unhappy after being blamed for so much for so long. His color isnt the actual problem, its the mindset that sees the only color. Harlem Poem Summary, Themes, and Analysis | LitPriest Harlem The poem "Harlem" was written in 1951 by Langston Hughes. E. J. Lowe, Analysis, Vol. On de run is a reference to the stereotype of young black males being more likely to be involved in criminal activity and running from the police. Warfare refers to the common activities and characteristics of types of war, or of wars in general. The first word in the poem is I, and it is followed by words that convey an accent foreign to the readership. 40, No. Download the entire Poetry study guide as a printable PDF! But dey got me on de run. The nature of poetry is expressing complex feelings, which usually makes multiple meanings. The Stream is a rich and lively source for breaking news, inspiration, analysis and entertainment. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. "Belfast Confetti" was written by the Irish poet Ciaran Carson and published in the collection The Irish for No in 1987. Hughes intended the poem to be read as a single poem. Are among those life saving necessaries. There are several important points to consider when analysing a poem, such as themes, language and imagery, structure, mood and atmosphere and your response to the poem. But I am versatile. Its an interesting choice on the authors part to use the voice that conveys the accent most associated with the stereotypes being fought by the poem. Timbuktu is a city in Mali, famous to Europeans for its mystery. His color isn't the actual problem, it's the mindset that sees the only color. Throughout the first verse, this line is repeated several times, each time to view a different dimension of the actual problem. " Communications of the ACM 49. They are a complex individual, a unique and inspiring person, but the simplicity of the popular stereotypes overshadows them entirely. Again, any racial division is not down to him, clearly illustrated by the fact that some of his best friends are white, but those that are racist towards him. Supplying oxygen and removing poisons. A person who avoids the complexity of any kind sees only the positive side of every situation. By doing this, the author creates a conflicting view by perpetuating one element of the stereotype (the accent) while dispelling the rest. The poem is careful to showcase Zephaniah's individual voice and, therefore, his personality. This is a gesture of complete fairness on the part of Zephaniah. BEST POEMS ABOUT PROBLEMS. This poem is not about taking the road less traveled, about individuality or uniqueness. The poem is written after the inspiration from jazz music. She was born in Durban, South show more content. More formally, rationalism is defined as a methodology or a theory "in which the criterion of the truth is not sensory but intellectual and deductive".. It requires the utmost creativity and dedication. Deep down he knows that he is not defined or confined by stereotypes enforced by the people and institutions surrounding him. The poet goes beyond such discriminatory thoughts and welcomes an air of individual freedom in his poem. 4.621428571428572 411 reviews. F or "On His Blindness," John Milton employs the Petrarchan sonnet form. In his heart, there is not a single amount of hatred towards white men in this world. " Ode on a Grecian Urn " is a poem written by the English Romantic poet John Keats in May 1819, first published anonymously in Annals of the Fine Arts for 1819 [1] (see 1820 in poetry). It alludes to the prior mistreatment of Africans by the British during colonial times. Typically, this review is conducted and recorded within the structure of a literary analysis essay. Zephaniah experienced difficulties at school as a black. The last verse opens with an interesting expression; that these conditions might affect the speaker as they age. Mhlophe's poem also uses present tense verbs to describe the speaker's refusal to succumb to peer pressure, while Pound's poem uses past . 'No Problem' by Benjamin Zephaniah says that the poet is not a problem in a white-dominated society. More . "Say No" is also more direct in its language, while "Sonnet 130" uses more metaphor and simile to describe the woman's beauty. That divides humans according to their speaking style, origin, and bodily characteristics. The verse is written with the phonetic pronunciation of words that display Zephaniah's Jamaican heritage. This tone is found throughout his body of work. The primary poetic device being used is in the line breaks that isolate each idea and make sure the reader is feeling the full impact of each one. What is an analysis of the poem "Da Same, Da Same" by Sipho Sepamla? Discuss the toneof the poem "An Abandoned Bundle," by M. Mtshali. In each ABAB quatrain, an aspect of the black stereotype is explored and rejected (e.g. There is a silence where hath been no sound, There is a silence where no sound may be, In the cold graveunder the deep deep sea, Or in wide desert where no life is found, Which hath been mute, and still must sleep profound; No voice is hush'dno life treads silently, But clouds and cloudy shadows wander free. Others is literally debilitating, and is clearly to stereotype as mentioned in the 1970s Stream is a lot tolerant Air of individual freedom in his current country of Britain first time, but all anyone seems to about! To ordinary people and institutions surrounding him in GCSE poetry lessons, everything you could ever need to the. 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