The Cry of South Africa by Olive Schreiner Flashcards
Was the writer an advocate for social justice?
Yes, she was also a pacifist. She did not agree with British imperialism in South Africa or with the South African (Anglo-Boer) War 1899-1902 that was fought to achieve it.
She opposed racism in whatever form, whether against Boers or Black people, both of whom were ‘underdogs’ in the early part of the 20th century.
What is the mood of the poem?
The mood is hostile and antagonistic.
What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
The poem is written in free verse.
What is being personified in the poem?
South Africa is personified as the speaker in the poem.
Comment on the line ‘Give back my dead!’.
‘Give back my dead!’ is an exhortation to return those men who have died in the war, which is strengthened by the use of the exclamation mark.
What is the effect of uses ‘my’?
The use of ‘my’ personalises the poem so we understand that this loss affects the speaker. It echoes Schreiner’s views on the futility of war.
What is the significance of the lines
‘They who by kop and fountain
First saw the light upon my rocky breast!’ ? (2)
- This implies that the dead men are sons of South Africa. The first light they saw fell on the South African landscape.
- The ‘rocky breast’ suggests the clifftops and koppies that are so much a feature of the South African landscape.
What is significant about the repetition of ‘Give back my dead’?
There is repetition of ‘Give back my dead!’ which foregrounds the use of the possessive adjective and shows the speaker’s anger at the loss of these men.
What does ‘The sons who played upon me’ suggest?
‘The sons who played upon me’ suggests that these dead men were once young and playful with connotations of innocence suggested by ‘When childhood’s dew still rested on their heads’.
What is the metaphor?
The metaphor compares the childhood of these men, that have sacrificed their lives for their country, to ‘childhood’s dew’ which suggests that just as the dew retreats as the sun rises, so too does these men’s childhood and innocence end.
What does the repetition reflect?
The repetition reflects an accusatory, demanding tone suggesting that the speaker will not be denied the dead.
What connotations does ‘Whom thou hast riven from me’ have?
‘Whom thou hast riven from me’ has connotations of the country and the men being torn apart, conveying forceful diction.
What does ‘By arms of men’ suggest?
‘By arms of men’ provides the idea of ‘arms’ being both literal and figurative as it could be the death the South African soldiers faced by the arms of the men, or by the arms which they bore to shoot them down.
What does line 9 suggest?
Line 9 suggests the imperiousness of the English conveyed by, ‘loud called’ as well as how far the English have travelled to take part in this war, ‘from earth’s farthest bound,’.It reminds the reader that they have no place in a country that does not belong to them.
What does the speaker demonstrate about her bosom?
The speaker demonstrates how her bosom which has nurtured these men, is now ‘wet’ with ‘my children’s blood’ which has been shed futilely in this violent war.
