African Thunderstorm - David Rubadiri Flashcards
What does “Clouds come hurrying with the wind, Turning sharply, Here and there” suggest?
The poem opens with dynamic imagery, capturing the rapid and chaotic movement of the storm clouds.
“Hurrying with the wind” personifies the clouds as rushing, emphasizing their destructive urgency.
The phrase “turning sharply, Here and there” reflects unpredictability and randomness, mirroring the disorganized nature of a brewing storm.
Sets the tone of imminent chaos and the uncontrollable power of nature.
Analyze the simile “Like a plague of locusts.”
Compares the storm to a biblical plague, evoking images of devastation and fear.
Locusts, historically associated with destruction, particularly famine, intensify the sense of an unavoidable and catastrophic natural event.
This comparison links the storm to divine punishment or unstoppable force, emphasizing nature’s dominance over humanity.
What is the effect of “Tossing up things on its tail, Like a madman chasing nothing”?
“Tossing up things on its tail” conveys the storm’s destructive power, scattering objects in its wake.
The simile “like a madman chasing nothing” highlights the storm’s chaotic and aimless energy, likening its path to the erratic, dangerous movements of an unstable individual.
Suggests a lack of control and direction, portraying the storm as a wild, unpredictable force of nature.
How does “Pregnant clouds ride stately on its back” enhance the imagery?
The metaphor “pregnant clouds” suggests the clouds are heavy with rain, poised to release their burden on the earth below.
“Ride stately” juxtaposes the dignified, slow movement of the clouds with the chaos caused by the storm, creating a sense of ominous foreboding.
Implies that the impending storm is both natural and unavoidable, its arrival marked by an air of gravity.
Explain the personification in “The wind whistles by, and trees bend to let it pass.”
The wind is personified as whistling, giving it a human-like quality that emphasizes its power and presence.
“Trees bend to let it pass” suggests that even nature must yield to the force of the storm, highlighting the wind’s dominance.
This imagery portrays the wind as a commanding force, unstoppable and awe-inspiring.
What contrast is presented in “In the village, screams of delighted children toss and turn in the din of the whirling wind”?
The “screams of delighted children” contrast with the ominous atmosphere created earlier in the poem.
This excitement reflects the innocence and naivety of the children, who view the storm as a source of wonder rather than fear.
“Toss and turn in the din of the whirling wind” emphasizes how the children’s voices are overwhelmed and scattered by the storm, showing its overpowering nature.
Analyze the significance of “Clothes wave like tattered flags, flying off to expose dangling breasts.”
The violent movement of clothes in the storm symbolizes the stripping away of human defenses against nature.
“Tattered flags” suggests a sense of defeat and vulnerability, as the people are exposed to the elements.
The phrase “dangling breasts” may reflect themes of poverty or helplessness, emphasizing the stark reality of human fragility.
What does “As jagged blinding flashes rumble, tremble and crack” convey about the storm?
Back:
Evokes the sensory impact of lightning and thunder with vivid imagery.
“Jagged blinding flashes” highlights the chaotic and dangerous nature of the lightning.
The verbs “rumble, tremble and crack” use onomatopoeia to immerse the reader in the storm’s auditory experience, emphasizing its power and ferocity.
How does the metaphor of “the pelting march of the storm” conclude the poem?
“Pelting” conveys the relentless and aggressive nature of the rain.
“March” likens the storm to an advancing army, emphasizing its unstoppable and destructive progression.
The storm is portrayed as both a force of nature and a metaphorical invader, asserting its dominance over the human and natural world.
Themes
Nature
Man vs Nature
Mood
one of impending doom and terror
Literary Devices
Similie
Alliteration
Personification
Similie
Simile
“Like a plague of locusts” (line 6)
The wind is compared to a plague of locusts due to its destructive power.
“Like a madman chasing nothing” (line 9)
The wind is compared to a madman chasing nothing due to its seemingly erratic, aleatoric movements.
“Like dark sinister wings” (line 13)
The clouds are said to be like dark sinister wings to relate them to birds (as they perch on the hill) and convey a sense of evil.
“Clothes wave like tattered flags” (line 27)
The clothes are compared to tattered flags due to their torn appearances and how they flap and move in the powerful winds.
Personification
“Clouds come hurrying with the wind.” (line 2)
The clouds are said to be ‘hurrying,’ which is a human action of quick movement.
“Pregnant clouds ride stately on its back, gathering to perch on hills” (lines 11-12)
The clouds are ‘riding’ on the back of the wind, which is really to convey how the clouds are being carried by the wind. The clouds also gather to ‘perch’ on hills. This is to show how the clouds, like birds, come to rest on top of the hill. The ascription of the clouds as ‘pregnant’ is also a human characteristic, to show the clouds carrying something to be released.
“Trees bend to let it pass.” (line 15)
The trees ‘bend’ to allow the wind to pass by. This personification shows, of course, the power of the wind in its ability to force the trees to bow.
“Screams of delighted children toss and turn.” (lines 17-18)
The screams of the children are said to toss and turn in the wind. This conveys the wind’s speed in how it throws around the sounds as well.
Alliteration
“Clouds come hurrying with the wind” (line 2)
“The wind whistles by” (line 14)
“Toss and turn” (line 18)
“In the din of the whirling wind.” (line 19)
“The wind whirls by” (line 25)
