Answer to Question #287329 in English for Sabelo Xulu

Question

2.3 In the poem Johannesburg, comment on the effect of the images in stanzas 2 and 3 on the meaning of the poem as a whole. (2)

• One mark for linking the images discussed in 2.1 and 2.2 to others in the poem ✓

• One mark for commenting on the imagery used in the poem overall ✓

3. Find two examples of the poet’s use of alliteration or assonance, and quote them in your answer. For each quotation, underline the repeated sections. Then, explain what the sound device is, and what its function may be. (3)

• One mark for correct examples with relevant sections underlined ✓

• One mark for identifying the correct poetic device in the examples given ✓

• One mark for correctly explaining its function ✓

Answer 1

2.3 In stanzas 2 and 3, imagery reveals the experience of municipality in the city that has become worse due to dishonesty and wrongdoings by the people. People in the city are responsible for the collapse of the city, as expressed in the following lines

“It is around the corner ‘...time bomb of our own extinction...”

 The images represent a collapsing nation marking the city’s end; “...we are all recession whipped...meaning the economy is failing. ‘...neither politics nor prayer can guarantee the future...” the government and political formations are unreliable.

3. example of alliteration in the poem:

“Neither politics nor prayer can guarantee the future.”

The use of alliteration has helped the poet to create a rhythm.