Ihe caned maee represerd lhe Cutture
he
"
fobers ond aonmeck the ivig to the dead.
The represen
ddeah
contemporary
ed
expondhe poems
" He Grek addrtases hemaake hen
the poets apeals in the &oce
colenai
lerghe o
he poem hog nostongos ie
o ilen
peale
he
Shart eners Crphosieg
rioa
reode to ontedrop
" Dreck peed : alloe t
he eader .
pereon pronaun ypu' enggs
thoee
ponilive
Agpea to higer pouers/ondolione
ho hoe
been stoing the, mosks
ond to the ross {hensves yor
Prayer To Masks - Leopold Sedar Senghor
Hing t e inois
sonjfied
on ccdess to te
An aporope
jectprit
Masks! Oh Masks!
coloranc
Ltural
He pays honag
ldeniy
tireir eernalgcuseding cocth
and white masks, colour.
black
you
mask,
red
mask,
Black
coroEoN
o oial
There s alsowilh
ppreesiond slke trocte
heir oonnionR Acon nass.
to assadae
ocoous, s
repreenect buhe
at. use
Daver ymbel
Qultue,e
i Rectangular masks through whom the spirii
breathesnhicon
feerences
oonniae oth
C wre
linhel o winds
ds
ron our
pirhat wcrcd.Gprtiaty "yeth
tha blow As soirke
that breath
How >impies
elion
Ihe pe
Cingpirtion).
cornS the rh
1enpasalere
arespec
met
hers hane
Shous bmiliariky
to use words
Tsinimule Lgreet yonsleue
Src
he most con
oorer
Conunod
seeouer d oncesto,,o be ud)
begore.Perctt bodnee
o
d pre
niyAnd you too, my ierñ headed ancestor. Shapt
brarery (sqmbd) minlairs n Ouo
ion'. repesents the
dcouage
vhe te prays
querdo cinaamt efoisatic virtue
pocts
Trearcedor wh
rejes to the aler ige.
smile.
to any feminine laughter, to any mortal
is closed
tre lhon hect 6 You guard this place, thatgund
forbcdden
Ahe liÁng
e the nesos
thod
enter
ues d
od
rerice
achalees housne
s Sye
myne
have oected. curent day
he mosS
hogs.
sptlit yolues, memories,
culte tradiáens
eath
moes
Sulleinq
gee the.eAfrica
loes
trodional Aron cuttut ar
ord cei
dimiates
chCelceorshe
SANcninajs
vashipped hotvely:
Overthe altar of white paper:
rnent (papner )
Llla:a
po
Not
elemadg speaion
Pledingone
coeeus
him ecase
In the name of your image, listen to meRne tiving
owhnon he is onGg apaytr.
he princtsi dea
repreeetS boh
he
Youhave côinposet this image,this my face that bends bnd
aue refeus la payerst
fespect
shope b he oce
now ghe
pce loerover e poçer
Sinile:spo
ressn
wes
re
he ancesos on
themecdes
diecectfut
e ,Mashr
and wrinllee fi grum ines
Masks of maskless faces, free from dimnles
e idealised
repeetaions previausy
Sgns ogefmaie abs
trodionS
Saucdner
iquy
ty Youpurifythe air of eternity here where I breathe the air of myfathers nceskoS
ofaoria
despotism
is dying! it is the agony of apitiable princess,)
ule is coming
Cortrods he
on c.gome counts
aurdy
pined
her reedans
like Europe to whom he isconnected through the Mtogor
er 22Just
Europe howeucs, dict oE
umbilkaQ cord :he
ct as
ohershud:
assploitchca
peepe,
is neceoy.
Reva;
nevel
uheguest has
a es Anca Kon to
Reert Aicons
hone been
by the sts
i i aurepeon
Now turn your immobile eyes towards your children who ers to he eet geraho
The
mashs oe callod
CGnnotMore
wkegs the soc,log hietoy
ric
Snese hat trodioas ausoms d
-reedom.Jmees hot his
to
voluas hove appoendy no been alle to
rospord to he grent choes 8 hstong
Turninq pont co he maeks repreene a
valucelog ie
om which the
present
cre
mb
seen i ils proper
erspEie or
Merey eics a'past
a hoe,
o hee who ae eploid
aaning
eulleing inthe prSAt
necessany eenai bV or at
they ipy unha
gnorant
eic .
have been called
Gnite Corordon toup h
poor e o n .
luAnd who sacrifce their lives likethe poor man his last.garment, kee ral ihe
onalion ht colonstis hoe
evenyng
no lenger hore ony
hi So that hereafter we may cry 'here' at the rebirth of the world being theleaven t h a t e e
the white flour needs.
dore
he Gr
hdu
onhn
hins
to r
ca.
For who else would teach rhythm to the world that has clc relihy ins dee.
lr
hdusty
na will kerdits
Areoon energy
to a Se^e.
urpe.
as
ouSed
he
died of machines and cannons?
to cy ot |shaut
dead and the wise in a
For who else should ejaculate the cry of joy, that arouses theraw
doy 7es phoeen ye.
Relers toa
Sgst tha
the heoical
l7
utehen :omeysdaut
t is
wii bing joy hope ushere here hos
new dawn? beer ieslaaon,enhaueion icegpejr, doalh.
chatergg to the people to comt
Suggeek donage,
desciMOence
tere is sill
bu
hone?
torn
with
a
Reerinq to te
tomen
thoe liesywoeSe coula return the memory of life
opömism
Them
rsinreereces
The cdonss They call us cotton heads, and coffee men, and oily men. te skerettpicul spreydice N
Tre toe is
the uopeos we They call us men of death,
efut"'age deat
ler o briger
wrich
4
reee ies oe emphatic
he Ah
to
conected
Ssorgly
Bbcu pecewiu be recoeniaf
But we are the men of the dance whose feet only gain new lourt Reeam reqia!
a a hon beings
or their beauty vaue
prud calhire
t
her utre will hare o d e
ord
o
the
rdabon
eae
soila
bard
power when they beat the
Otimslic mesSoat
TFemes: The cppressont liecininabon
"pole eR
bock people
te Areestors
Ancestos
" tonaurig aur
"Neus beginning
"how rionscongatio)whiety
CRot Fench
ARion a t e .
unerstorin
Serng
" Hpe
"tte desire o gredan.
Continue
Tore: Opresoon
their
Sucre,3eongas peroo iko
beabeslatliered octaveS
SyllaBle6 alou pausing. "FirekaUikude behoviour,achiors
"Reglor
by
rhume ord sressed
Wio oro thie
poenn wen she net
a mounniing wdo
his emphases the
.ining
covene
"Last:focusrs on
ollewe
Uhe meoying
a eae
being etie
done by choice on
have onotons
bl o the mwsaliey
tte paem
isolaion nd sadnet
Solitude Ella Wheeler Wilcox
n3a one depics g
Sonfied
orth oro
Pappiress wthin
soduces be ems
onesa creales
hoppihees ln
hers.
dead
Laugh, and the world laughs with you;
Suynerchehea (sigue
ot repcehts a
which
i~ohoe)der
ee
Paaple
ordsheople Shore
Weep, andho you
weep alone;e
sarpes
y,bue ever Sueg
ughler caused
by hamrees
ss t
bono
its mirth.
happiress &rom For the sad old earth must borrow
humonts opir
But has trouble enough of its own.
Sarre icea
as ie
persoiicotfon
S Sing, and the hillswill answer;Shosig
Controst
be
emoiorsito
Cnrast
eloorales ho
pul bocle
shins
thee a g
But shrinkfrom voicing care.
8
are
erperierens
negadve
enotor
Storgo 2ortinues to
Oukire houw
Rejoice, and men will seek you;
Fcusee on her numong'
fcacion t6n indiidu[
Controst
Grieve, and they turn and go;
compete lall
theee epe
They want full measure of all your pleasure,
Controsk
do nL so
But they do not need your woe.
ypur pleeue.
Be glad, and your friends are many;
13
ContcsA
Be sad, and you lose them all,
4
pur sodhss
result in heptrom ne
Sigh, it is lost on the air; wld.
oiaibaunelrg conts
Personigie
as heig
happy, to bouin
Movemen
rpoee to happy
SOuhd- The echoes bound to a joyful sound,
Tronsb
e ord
"Rhyre sdeve abcbde e
veath' mih
’ hernalohmes
"Nesonaoe in the
Alorly pbe impis
ee l
e legey
line
ne tood
Meaoires
gor
beavennaes,or diiniy
There are none to decline your nectared wine, o hoppirees
Tiiseerde
metopnor ezpa
ha
e yree gode,
Ccadres,
pororty,1orelre,
al he
vepre"
to shot te hoonly
happinees, but
But alone you must drinklife's gall. Meopho
Eecive ecavee itcapkres
stona %>ocuss on
3oludeonear
deah
oUhers
e
AWhough
esso
painad uleg, te geiere
is inevitad
Emaoiss haw
golkoy ore.
Feast, and your halls are crowded;
Faseng is pive,
retahors
Tre word cola
t
ice it:
Fast, and the world goes by.
and hprse
Succeed and give, and it helps you live,
ond
pysilly
yowill ie agpo ie
Licraly:
But no man can help you die.
a Trg
"For a large
epeian
nphosiee tteiude
huinons ce
Faurakivelu:windrouingom
ders
a etaehoo deott
grup
peope
e shoe
and lordly train, S
alire
Implies trat
Gerer noiBut one by one we must all file on
Metaphar imies
that epten
durvie
on their
laesconlemçlotiie
reecie
emeorenay soad|
depressed
dietion
Specife time peid.
Junkaposito ie a
Crucia'
"rejore
agh t e
sCHOn elcldhins
spooes.
Oicion#choi
e al go
larg
more peope retphor
There is room in the halls of pleasur hoppy,enyae
ospects
Theee ines
Pleasure, iee
deatbh ino hisia
ploces Ue poom
or eerdy e.
weloing ommunkiso
inepire vore
"gteve'
Skyjewnitten in the
leoabibico pecm
a oiechon ef proet
everyore w
Suller pain
Smallepace >endes re
orced corenene
tese oeinge
Metophe
Through the narrowaisles of pain. rgaie,soioy apects.
24
neres
Hoppinesspain Saves hat ore shaud be
d t seee CoRort in otes
"Indiicuc w Oulside worlo -the poe ac a mas to
Une indiicual ard how o loce e reities ehe sto
ones probems head-on
" Haw people respord to
eermotlonal stoe
ohes.
loney.
Happy olkrocconpony. Soc peope >iobed
because gecple shy away rom egetve ermdions
"Peope wust gace yheir proslems ond panaloe
a
('solitude')
iue
its
throug
Keinoreed
trying
is
imagesomething
in
AfricanAfrica
and guardsThis princess
in
it
of
past
ancestors.
if
hope conceptions
express
inspiration
of
Africans.
and
admiration
power
"mother"
the
new
while
by the
parts traditional
lion
of
and
a
andtheir
by
colonisation
:10
Marks
TOTAL
to
for
a
into
the
of
to
France
to message
nourished
suggested
of
large
compared
joy
European
symbolwhich by
and theyearnsaliveto
able
on
essay
machines
them
bringing
European
pride
representmemories
colonised
of
moving
guidance
be
respect
decline
of
speaker connects a
in
thewell-constructed
of
and
with
Colonialism
rebirth
society
has
Africa
is
hearts
period
its
how
profit.
of Europe,
which culture.
question. they
freedom
before
with
to
conguest
ruled
who
deep
for
represents
thud and
the their
of
the
lengthy
themselves.
their
and
it
African countries
ancestors
ties
as
lion,
image
death.economic
were
African
as his
culture,keeping
speed theageing
materials
masksmasks
directly
their
to
its
this
beneficial the
Post
European
change
shows
close
essay:answering
a
in Countries
Thedeath sever help
and
after Western
of
animal,domination
an
andgain
his masks
the
the theaof
directly,
part European
rule
raw
people.
to
despair,
which
is
to to can
traditions.
her
form
will which
to traditionsmasks.and
your
after
energyits labour
addresses
have masks
a Africa,
the
to
Europe.
addresses
appeals
guardian being
and
that
thewith dead
crucialsilence
for Africans
that
Africanblacks
in to
the
world
exhaustion,
eventually
the
male
the
cheapdance
Africa,
dance
youthful
in guideline addresses
Africa
mix the
take
as of of
suggests theto
African
includedpoetproud through
of
is
past oppressed
Question
1:Essay
optimism.
of women
westernizedspeaker
of Africa
invasion power
and of past with family's
and
speaker
should
traditional
spiritsandits of of
implications
theand
spirits
ancestors
glorious
source
a
exploitation
history
will
song
their
connecting
the
connection
as Masks",
music
speaker
cord
lendisolation,
his
to
political
culture
be others,
that magic
the theresponse
the
honouring
of
forbidden
the
to
could
umbilical
a notethrough
will
continue
theto andof
African
African
merely
one
refers
the
Masks',way
addressesthe
the
nobility
The
to African
of
been
to dueconquered
thecord Africa
among
the a
to
that
"Prayer ancestral greets
loss but
reinforces
refers
on freely
powers.
changed
reject
to
then
the
is
Senghor
refers
adapt
page).
the
that
of
Your
Suggested
Answer
for
and
born,
hasto as ends
reborn
grow.
prays
umbilical
that
points
the
the
rhythm
re-establishing
to of
Africans
towards
them.
points,
of
speaker
emphasising
speaker speaker
poem.
themselves
poem than narrator
there
understand
account
ground andsymbolises
andimage
highlighted.
1:Essay'Prayer
be and
ONE
his
European
can Question
poem
ancestors. COurage.
poet
Senghor
A
now
are following Rather
to
the where
finding
Africa culturesOon
live the better.
the
Africans
black
The The
followingthe
The
The
The is
(about
Thehas
the
The
Inthe
poem
of brief
In
to
of It
to
the
expandthe250-300
message
is
a poem
words
Give
the
Use
The
7
Questions and Answers
1 Briefly explain the connotations of the words "Prayer" and "masks' as used in the titile.
(3)
(prayers - appeal to a higher power /ancestors - positive connotation. masks'- traditional
masks as worn in African culture / to hide real emotions / hide true intentions. The title implies a
thank you' to those who have been wearing the masks and to the masks themselves for being
able to hide true feelings.)
2 Why does the speaker greet the masks "in silence"?
(Words are unnecessary in this instance -aslight gesture will suffice.)
3. Why does the speaker use the first person "|"?
(It adds a personal, intimate and sincere element to the poem. It is subjective.)
4.
How could an ancestor be "lionheaded" (line 4)?
(2)
(2)
(2)
(This could refer to a traditional African mask in the shape of a lion's dead. It could also be
symbolic of strength, boldness and bravery. The Senegalese national anthem is also entitled
"The Red Lion":)
5. Discuss the choice in diction in metaphor "altar of white paper" (line 8).
3)
(white paper could refer to bureaucracy it takes an immense amount of paperwork to create
laws / set up political alliances etc. The 'altar' suggests that something is being
worshipped/praised.)
6. ldentify the tone in "In the name of your image, listen to me!"
(A pleading, desperate tone. Ora respectful command filled with authority.)
(1)
7. What does the speaker mean when he states that Europe and Africa are "connected through the
navel"? (This image reminds the reader of the connection of Africa to Europe, much like a baby
is connected to its mother via the umbilical cord-nourishment, blood flow etc. The colonial
powers in Europe were referred to as the 'mother country'. However, this connection is a
negative one - Europe colonised many countries in Africa. There was mass exploitation of
people, resources and land. Greed and corruption by the colonisers left Africa damaged. The
severing of the connection is necessary but difficult. Colonisers would not want to sever this
connection - then they lose their wealth/resources/landlabour force etc.)
8. ldentify the figure of speech and explain the effectiveness thereof in the phrase rebirth of the
(3)
world" (line 14).
(Personification - now that the colonisers have left / have no more power over the country, it has
the chance to be reborn, to start afresh. It can now create its own government / future.)
9. How has the world "died of machines and cannons"?
(2)
(Our over-reliance on technology and machinery has caused the spiritual soul to wither and die.
The world has lost its ability to feel deeply and give expression to joy,)
10. Is there any optimism in this poem? Quote in support of your answer.
(2)
("world that has died"- shows that the old reality is gone/dead. There isa semblance of hope
("tom hope") despite the damage, destruction and violence.)
11.Discuss the effectiveness of the last two lines of the poem as a conclusion.
(3)
(These lines are emphatic and strongly connected to the earth. The people are involved in a
traditional dance and they appear strong and resilient. This dance symbolises their new-found
this
freedom and how they will regain their identity and take pride in their culture. They will share
culture and pride with the rest of the world.)
9
Inthe final stanza, the poet explains how everyone must ultimately go
through pain and suffering alone - although others can bear witness, this
experience is inevitably a solitary one. The poet is not necessarily saying that
people are selfish -just that a person can observe others' deepest feelings
but cannot actually experience them.
Irony - Simple level - We are all alone in our suffering/ grief but on a complex
level - there is a commonality in a sense that every person has to endure this
sowe are united on that Common ground.
TONE
On the whole, the tone is melancholy/sad/depressed. Although the poet
reminds us that happiness is possible (this is the connotations of words and
phrases like "laugh", "sing", "rejoice", "nectared wine" and "halls of pleasure")
the poet contrasts these words and phrases with their opposites ("weep",
"sigh", "be sad", "life's gall' and "narrow aisles of pain".
MOOD
Solemn
Thought-provoking
QUESTION 1 - ESSAY QUESTION
The poem essentially declares that while a negative attitude
repulses
people, a positive one attracts them. In an essay describe how the
speaker reinforces the above message in the poem. Your response
should take the form of a well-constructed essay of 250-300
words (about
ONE page).
(10)
Suggested answers to Essay question.
Use the following points, among others, as a
guideline to answering this question.
In 'Solitude' by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, the
speaker
the
connection between one's outlook on life and the describes
friends and community
one attracts. The speaker describes how people like
to seek happiness
through other people rather than facing their problems alone.
The title of the poem 'Solitude' refers to the mental
and physical state of
humans who distance themselves from those who seek
instead of being morose ('voicing care'). The idea that happiness
human beings are
not attracted to negativity is
in the poem.
reiterated
In the first stanza, Wilcox
compares happiness (and how the world will
rejoice with you) and sadness (and how
sometimes you must face this
alone).
The speaker emphasises the point that
they do not want to be burdened by the people seek pleasure and joy and
suffering of others. The idea that
6
from
sorrow willtake us away
and
happiness
happiness will attract more introduced in line 1 (Laugh and the world
enjoying happy moments is repeated throughout the poem e.g.
laughs with you'). This idea is
(line 9).
actions and
'Rejoice, and men will seek you'
to both positive pattern that
people
of
reactions
The contradictory
highlighted. There is a distinct
are
reactions
negative
happiness
emerges in the poem.
not have a well of
does
world
the
being
that
The speaker indicates earth'). The personificationof the earth as issues
todraw from ('sad oldup the plight of people who are burdened by
sad effectively sums
lonely.
that make them sad and
answer')emphasises the
will
hills
the
and
('Sing,
(returned) to you.
The use of hyperbole
will be reciprocated lost in the air' or
it
happiness
express
idea if you
('sigh') that is
to the sadness
This is in direct contrast
forever and seek
repels others.
from one's problems
run
cannot
one
that
The theme
is highlighted.
rejoice, or
happiness through otherscontrasting
ideas. If you laugh, sing,
in
abundant
grieve, the
is
poem
The
If youweep, sigh, fast, or
you.
to
drawn
be
will
world
must all file
feast, the
the end, "one by one we happiness
in
all,
After
you.
abandon
more
world will
that happiness will attract
Finally, it
on."The poet repeats the idea
from enjoying happy moments.
away
us
take
will
sorrow
A
and
have to enjoy our own company.
will make us lonely where we will will be forced to live his life in loneliness.
complaining man or sad person
idea by
his sorrow. Wilcox clarifies this
There willnot be anyone to share
from our
saying that many willcome to drink
willingness to share the bitter
"nectared" wine while no one will show his
taste of our life.
our hardships alone, we
"Solitude" suggests that although we must bear
part of the human
should understand that happiness and grief are
condition and we should remain resilient.
Questions and Answers
Solitude
Ella Wheeler Wilcox
1. Comment on the personification in stanza 1.
(The world 'laughs'- when you are happy the world around you is happy.
(3)
The earth also "borrows" mirth -joy/ humour- there are enough sadness
/problems. The hills "answer" your happinesS - literally an echo and
figuratively like the earth "laughing" with you. NOT AT YOU! The echoes
"shrink" back from issues/problems/ worries.)
2. Describe the reaction of the 'echoes' (line 7) to the prompts given.
(2)
(In reaction to the joyful sound' the echoes will repeat the sound eagerly.
However, there will be no reaction is the sound is not happy- expression
of 'care', concern or worry.)
3.
What does "shrink" mean as used in line 8?
(2)
(Pullback - the world will not share your problems/issues/cares.)
(2)
4. Suggest a possible example of "life's gall".
bitter.)
us
make
(Sadness, poverty, loneliness - all things that
travelled through "narrow aisles"?
5. Why does the speaker suggest that "pain" is
(2)
one
than
more
for
space
(Narrow aisles are confined- not enough
must learn to
alone. We
perso at a time. When we suffer, we do so
create our own happiness.
"Succeed and give, and it helps you live."(3)
line:
the
explain
and
Paraphrase
6.
then shares his good fortune with
(Aperson who succeeds in life and act of giving. They will have a more
others, will derive mustjoy fromn the
rewarding life. Their life will be better.)
7
8.
(3)
the poem in relation to its contents.
Discuss the effectiveness of the title of
always a bad thing.
can mean loneliness, it is not
(Although solitude
you if you
poem,people will only be with
die
also
However, as made clear in this sorrows
We
misfortunes.
and
our
in
alone
are
is a choice.
are happy. We
An appropriate title. Solitude
solitude.
in
solitary/
alone
Unhappiness/loneliness is not a choice.)
(3)
your opinion.
Discuss
cynical?
overly
states.
Is the speaker in this people are as 'mnean' and uncaring as she bad??)
(|believe so - not all friend- there for you in good times and
Think of yourown best
answer
poem? Discuss your
the
for
title
better
(solitude and
been a
Would "Loneliness" have connotations/denotations of both words
(3)
to the
and make reference
to person
like
answer.
just
loneliness) in your
not achoice, Solitude is a chosen
is
Loneliness
(Perhaps abetter choice. alone in their worst times.
would CHOOSE to
be left
necessarily a
state. Not
bad thing.)