Question

Analysis about the poem ”Africa my Africa“ with stylistic devices

Answer 1

Answer:

First and foremost, we have to examine how Diop connects the reader to Africa using himself as the medium. There are two main poetic devices at work here. The first is apostrophe, in which a poet addresses a person or abstract idea as if it were really there. This starts in the very first line (''Africa my Africa''); Diop is talking to Africa as if he were sitting with it and having a conversation. We see this in lines like ''I have never known you,'' or ''Is this you this back that is bent,'' as well as consistent use of ''you'' and ''your.''

This is coupled with Diop's use of personification. Africa, the continent, is anthropomorphized and treated like a human. Not only does Diop attribute human traits to Africa like an unbent back, blood, and sweat, but he also gives it a ''grave voice'' that is capable of responding to him, calling him an impetuous child. These poetic devices help us appreciate Diop's connection to Africa as an ancestor, a family member. Many critics believe that Diop is utilizing an old trope of Africa as a woman and specifically a mother to the African people. This interpretation partly comes from Diop's original version of the poem, which was written in French.