Introduction
Good day learners.
Our topic for today is Poetry and the poem that we will be focusing on is titled 'To a small boy who died at Diepkloof Reformatory'.
Please watch the video below, which serves as an introduction of the topic:
The following video explains all the poetic devices that you need to know about poetry. Please make sure that you watch it before moving on:
Task
GRADE 12 ENGLISH HOME LANGUAGE
TOPIC: POETRY
DUE DATE: 30 AUGUST 2021
TASK 1
For this task, you are required to read the poem 'To a small boy who died at Diepkloof Reformatory' with close reference to the tone, imagery and diction used by the author. Also make sure that you refer to its analysis in order for you to fully understand the poem.
Alan Paton (1903-1988)
‘’’To a small boy who died at Diepkloof Reformatory’'
1. Small offender, small innocent child
2. With no conception or comprehension
3. Of the vast machinery set in motion
4. By your trivial transgression,
5. Of the great forces of authority,
6. Of judges, magistrates, and lawyers,
7. Psychologists, psychiatrists, and doctors,
8. Principals, police, and sociologists,
9. Kept moving and alive by your delinquency,
10. This day, and under the shining sun
11. Do I commit your body to the earth
12. Oh child, oh lost and lonely one.
13. Clerks are moved into action by your dying;
14. Your documents, all neatly put together,
15. Are transferred from the living to the dead,
16. Here is the document of birth
17. Saying that you were born and where and when,
18. But giving no hint of joy or sorrow,
19. Or if the sun shone, of if the rain was falling,
20. Or what bird flew singing over the roof
21. Where your mother travailed. And here your name
22. Meaning in white man’s tongue, he is arrived,
23. But to what end or purpose is not said.
24. Here is the last certificate of death
25. Forestalling authority he sets you free,
26. You that did once arrive have now departed
27. And are enfolded in the sole embrace
28. Of kindness that earth ever gave to you.
29. So negligent in life, in death belatedly
30. She pours her generous abundance on you
31. And rains her bounty on the quivering wood
32. And swaddles you about, where neither hail nor tempest,
33. Neither wind nor snow nor any heat of sun
34. Shall offend you, and the thin cold spears
35. Of the highveld rain that once so pierced you
36. In falling on your grave shall press you closer
37. To the deep repentant heart.
38. Here is the warrant of committal,
39. For this offence, oh small and lonely one,
40. For this offence in whose commission
41. Millions of men are in complicity
42. You are committed. So do I commit you,
43. Your frail body to the waiting ground,
44. Your dust to the dust of the veld, -
45. Fly home-bound soul to the great Judge-President
46. Who unencumbered by the pressing need
47. To give society protection, may pass on you
48. The sentence of the indeterminate compassion.
Answer the following questions:
1. Why does the author refer to the boy as "small offender, small innocent child"? (3)
2. Explain how the words 'under the shining sun' is suggestive that the boy is better off. (5)
3. What does the repetition of the 'o' sounds in line 12 indicate? (2)
4. Discuss the extended metaphor in the poem 'With no conception or comprehension of the vast machinery set in motion'. (5)
5. What can you conclude about the author's feelings and/or thoughts regarding the death of the small boy? (5)
6. Provide a detailed explanation of how the poem highlights oppression and social injustice. (10)
[30 MARKS]
Process
There are resources that I have provided for you that include all the information you need to know about the poem. Read the questions carefully and use the links provided to help you with all the information you need to know about the poem.
RESOURCES:
Please refer to these links that I have provided in order to assist you in completing this task.
Link to Poem analysis:
https://studylib.net
Link on how to analyse poetry:
Information about the author:
http://www.knowledge4africa.co.za/english/poetry/diepkloof-reformatory-a.jsp
Please make sure that you read the poem and pay close attention to the tone, alliteration and rhyme.
Also ensure that you read and understand the poetry terminology in this poem, as it will help you answer the questions.
POETRY TERMINOLOGY:
Tone:
A quality, feeling or attitude expressed by the words that the writer uses in speaking or writing. It expresses the writer's attitude or feelings. For example, regretful.
Alliteration:
Is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. It often highlights the expression of movement. For example, conception and comprehension. (Line 2)
Rhyme:
Is the correspondence of sound between words or the endings of words, especially when the words are used at the ends of lines of poetry.
Before you answer the questions:
- Make sure that you have looked at all the materials provided in order to deepen your understanding of the poem.
- Read all the notes provided to you.
- Think about how the stylistic choices that contribute to the overall structure and your understanding of the poem.
Lastly, ensure that you read all the questions carefully before attempting to answer. Copy down all your answers in your book.
Goodluck and have fun!
Evaluation
The task is out of 30 marks. The mark allocation represents the length of the required answer.
| Mark Allocation | |
| Question 1 | 3 marks (State the reason & explain) |
| Question 2 | 5 marks (Provide an explanation) |
| Question 3 | 2 marks (full marks rewarded for the correct answer) |
| Question 4 | 5 marks (Provide a detailed discussion of the metaphor) |
| Question 5 | 5 marks (Provide a short summary) |
| Question 6 | 10 marks (Provide a detailed explanation for both highlights in the poem) |
TOTAL MARKS: 30
Conclusion
Write a paragraph of 5-10 sentences describing how the poem made you feel.
Consider the following questions when writing:
1. What do you think is the purpose of a death certificate?
2. In your opinion, what kind of crimes do young boys commit and/or get arrested for?
3. What do you think about the legal systems?
Note: The knowledge and skills gained in this lesson will help you to have a better understanding of the upcoming lessons that you still need to deal with this term.
Credits
Click on the following links for additional information about the poem that might be helpful to you:
https://slideplayer.com › slide
I highly recommend this Oxford Study Guide, should you wish to broaden your knowledge on poetry:
Teacher Page
For any queries or assistance that you may need. Please do not hesitate to contact me on this email address: 218260415@mycput.ac.za