Unseen Practice (O/N 2019)
Read carefully the poem.
How does the poet strikingly convey different perspectives on respect for women?
To help you answer this question, you might consider:
• how the male speaker expresses his perspective
• how the female speaker replies to him
• how you feel the writer conveys her own perspective.
AO1
Show detailed knowledge of the content of literary texts in the three main forms
(drama, poetry and prose), supported by reference to the text.
AO2
Understand the meanings of literary texts and their contexts, and explore texts
beyond surface meanings to show deeper awareness of ideas and attitudes.
AO3
Recognise and appreciate ways in which writers use language, structure and
form to create and shape meanings and effects.
AO4
Communicate a sensitive and informed personal response to literary texts.
Respect
What you don’t understand, sister
is that women are respected in Africa
Oh yes
We call a woman the light of the house
She is the one who fetches water
She is the one who cooks the food
She is the one who gives milk and brings wood
She is the one we come to when we need satisfaction.
We know where the light comes from
Women are respected
Is that so, brother?
Is that why she is the last to drink from the gourd?1
Is that why she is the last to eat from the bowl?
Is that why she is the last to sleep and the first to rise?
Is that why she is the one for whom the only satisfaction
is another mouth to feed?
And tell me, brother
If the woman is the light of the house
where does the darkness come from?
And tell me, brother
What will happen if the light fades
or simply refuses to shine?
Then, sister
It must be made to shine again
or cast out
A light that does not shine is of no use to anyone
I see
Good, I knew you would understand
In Africa, my sister, women are respected
1. gourd: container made from the hard skin of the fruit of the calabash tree
Answer the following questions after reading the poem twice.
1. What words come to your mind when you think of the word respect? You may use
the dictionary for assistance and write them in the box below.
Any background knowledge you have on the ideas presented: (hint-Africa)
2. The speaker’s perspective is critical towards understanding the message of the
poem. Who do you think are the speakers and what ideas are being spoken about?
What is the brother’s attitude towards women?
3. What is the response of the sister and what is she trying to tell him? How does the
poet’s repetition of ‘Is that…’ help the reader understand what she is trying to say?
What is she trying to convey to him?
4. Explain. What does she mean by ‘I see’. What could she be thinking at this moment?
5. Exploring ideas and themes- what big ideas does the poet present?
6. The prominent techniques I notice are (bullet points)
7. What I notice about the structure and form is that…..
8. My thoughts when I finished reading the poem. How does the reader feel about this
poem? Add a related picture below and explain why you chose this.
9. If I were to choose 10-12 juicy quotes from throughout the poem that would help
me analyse it, they would be
Quote
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Technique and explanation -what this suggests
10
11
12
Evidence A02-AO3
My personal comments AO4
Title -your first
thoughts when
you read the title
Paraphrase –
what is the poem
about?
Connotations
Techniques
presented
Attitude -tone
and mood
Structure and
form -how does
this impact the
poem’s meaning
Shifts you notice
Themes
presented
How do I
understand the
poem now, after
looking at the
title again?
Now let’s read the question again:
How does the poet strikingly convey different perspectives on respect for women?
(This is my guiding question and your essay’s argument/your thesis statement)
HOW -the techniques she uses to present the poem and it’s message.
To help you answer this question, you might consider:
Introduction -usually 2 sentences (including your thesis statement)
PARA 1
• how the male speaker expresses his perspective
AO1
AO2
AO3
My AO4
PARA 2
• how the female speaker replies to him
AO1
AO2
AO3
My AO4
PARA 3
• how you feel the writer conveys her own perspective.
AO1
AO2
AO3
My AO4
CONCLUSION: Restate Thesis and say how the techniques are effective. Leave the reader
with something to think about.
___________________________________________________________________________
Now be ready to write your essay. (you’ll find the mark scheme at the back of your poetry
booklet)