The Tenant by Nhlanhla Junior Ngulube

Question 1

What does line one suggest?

Answer 1

Line 1 suggests that the speaker has not yet got over the end of his previous relationship. The speaker appears to be addressing another woman directly.

Question 2

What does ‘only’ imply?

Answer 2

‘only’ implies that there has only been one other significant relationship in his life.

Question 3

What is the significance of ‘who ever’?

Answer 3

‘Who ever’ gives the reader the idea that he is trying to distance himself from his previous partner by no acknowledging her name.

Question 4

Comment on the use of luggage.

Answer 4

The use of ‘luggage’ conveys the notion that he is still dealing with the emotional luggage of the parting and that he is not ready to move on.

Question 5

What is the tone in the first stanza?

Answer 5

The tone is conversational as he is explaining his situation.

Question 6

What are the connotations of evict?

Answer 6

The connotations of ‘evict’ suggest something that takes place forcibly —> The leaving was unexpected.

Question 7

What idea does ‘I keep hoping she will come back and collect the luggage’ convey?

Answer 7

‘I keep hoping she will come back and collect the luggage’ conveys the idea that he has reconciled himself to her going but that he wants to be free of the emotional burden.

Question 8

What does he want to ‘dispose’?

Answer 8

He wishes to ‘[dispose]’ of the effect that she has had on his life and rid himself of ‘old memories’ which are perhaps preventing him from moving on with his life.

Question 9

What is the figure of speech of ‘the marks on the wall’ ?

Answer 9

‘the marks on the wall’ is a metaphor and alludes to the impact she has had on his life.

Question 10

What does the line ‘Some are completely indelible’ convey?

Answer 10

‘Some are completely indelible’ which conveys that some of the effects she has had on his life can never be erased.

Question 11

What does the line ‘Some I even like.’ suggest?

Answer 11

‘Some I even like.’ suggests that he does have warm memories of their time together.

Question 12

Comment on the shift in tone in the final stanza.

Answer 12

There is a shift in tone from conversational to frank, in which he expresses the fear that if he rids himself of his emotional baggage and memories that he will feel bereft and that there will be a void in his life, reinforced by his reference to ‘that empty space.’

Question 13

What is the significance of the sentence structure throughout the poem? (2)

Answer 13

• Much of the poem consists of simple sentences which convey his feelings simply and starkly.
• The simple sentences alternate with complex sentences in which he expresses the complexity of his emotions.

Question 14

Examine the mood throughout the poem?

Answer 14

The mood begins nonchalantly and shift to becoming somber as he contemplates the reality of missing her.

Question 15

What does the title focus on?

Answer 15

The title focuses on the idea of a lodger who will not leave and has taken up unwanted residence.

Question 16

Explain the metaphor in the title? (2)

Answer 16

• The metaphor compares a literal tenant to the memories of his partner who is taking up unwanted space in his heart.
• The reader is reminded that a tenant does not stay permanently which is linked to this relationship having ended.

Question 17

What is the significance of the poem being written in free verse?

Answer 17

The poem is in free verse which conveys the idea that his feelings regarding this parting are unrestrained.

Question 18

Comment on the use of enjambment.

Answer 18

The use of enjambment creates the sense that his unresolved emotions are continuous.

Question 19

Comment on the rhythm.

Answer 19

The rhythm is slow so that he can process his emotions, but it also reflects his subdued emotional state.

Question 20

What is the mood throughout the poem?

Answer 20

The mood is sombre, and certainly, in the last stanza, desolate.