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THE USE OF ALLITERATION, REPETITION AND ASSONANCE IN THE POEM, BINSEY POPLARS

The poet decries the destruction of nature through the felling of trees. He maintains that nature has a role to play in the affairs of human beings, To demonstrate this role. He makes use of alliteration, repetition and assonance as Stylistic devices.  Alliteration is defined as the repetition of initial consonants of word.  It occurs in lines and across lines. There is Alliteration of /k/and /i/ sounds as well as in ... whose airy cages/quelled or quenched in leaves the leaping sun.  Alliteration of /s/, /d/, and /w/ sounds in “That dandled a sandaled shadow that swam or sank On meadow and river and wind wandering, weed-winding bank’. (c) Also, alliteration of “/t/ and ‘/k * in ‘Ten or twelve, only ten or twelve strokes of havoc unselve...” 

Most of the sounds alliterated are voiceless of Soft sounds. These convey the feeling of empathy and reinforce the notion that nature is delicate an and beautify and there's great loss in its being destroyed. 

The Use of repetition is often combined with alliteration, and occurs in several parts of the poem. Examples include: ‘All felled,  felled are all felled  delve or hew"/ “hew or delve”  ...quelled/quelled,  “ten or twelve, only ten or twelve” 

On occasion, entire lines are repeated; with slight variations: 

The sweet especial scene 

Rural scene, a rural scene 

Sweet especial rural scene 

The effect of repetion is to emphasize and intensify the point or idea of loss. To draw attention to the pathetic destruction that is taking place. 

Assonance is simply the repetition of identical or sometimes, similar vowels in words. Examples include: (i) The vowel /e/ in ‘quelled’ or quenched, or ‘mend* and ‘end’, ‘delve’ or ‘selve: The vowel /i/ in ‘leaves’ and ‘leaping sun’. The vowel /a/ in dandled a sandaled...”, or in ‘swam’ and ‘sank’. 

The effect of assonance in the poem is to heightens the feeling of loss and destruction, adds to the poem’s musical quality. 

The cummulative  effect of use of the devices is to reinforce the poet's feeling of regrets , draw attention to the harm that is being done to the trees, by extension, nature. 

THE POET’S ATTITUDE TO DEATH IN THE POEM, DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT: 

 The poem deals with our human condition, that is, our fear of the death. It sees death as inevitable and natural but unwelcome.  The fact about  death is that it is inevitable and no need to call it by name. Using euphemisms such as ‘goodnight’, “close of day” ‘dying of the light” will do. It is as though these are the poet’s way of mollifying death.

 The poet feels that death should be resisted, even at old age: ‘old age should burn and rave at close of day’. He provides examples of important people who do not give in to death readily. They include: Wise men at their end who’ do not go gentle in that goodnight’. Good men...who“rage, rage against the dying of light’. Carefree people - wild men with their missed opportunities, but who ‘Do not go gentle into that goodnight’.  ‘Grave men’ that is , visionary people ‘who see with blinding light; but “Do not go gentle into that good night’. 

 The poet admonishes his dying father to show revulsion towards death, even “there on the sad height”. To “curse; bless me now with your fierce tears. To “rage, rage against the dying of the light”.

 The poet's attitude to death is a resentment owing from his attitude to his father’s dying. Words like ‘burn’, ‘rage’ suggest this. However, his fear of death also makes him address it euphemistically as “goodnight”, “close of day”, etc. as though he wishes for it. This shows his ambivalence. 

THE PERSONIFICATION OF RAGE IN THE POEM, RAIDER OF THE TREASURE TROVE:

The Theme of the adverse effects of unchecked Rage on human virtues like joy, compassion and love. In the poem, Rage symbolizes all the negatives of life. Ascribing human qualities to non-human things in the poem, Rage is seen as some entity or person capable of disturbing or even ruining one’s peace of mind, if invited in. The ground is prepared in stanza 1 which asks: ‘What is worthy of your life?’ And advises us to ‘strive to fly flags of joy and sail up streams/powered by the breeze of love....” The sole aim of Rage is to undo this happiness. Breach your sail...and (b) “.....drag rags after you”  “Become enemy of your equanimity” (d) Spread “toxic fumes and every scene”  Rage is “sole cause of your perception of Storms/ Breaking around” Rage takes its birth from people’s feelings “As you think, so you feel” Rage is capable of setting sail and unleashing. “the perception of storms...”  Rage is the companion of ruin. 

The poet speaker advises to “... watch your mind” and think of positive things like love, compassion and “joy, As you think, so you feel”. He enjoins  restore “laughter, charity, sweetness and light”  and live a life in which you “fling roses...” Aim for a taste of the heavenly life: “My destination is Heaven-on-earth”. 

HOW AFRICA SUFFERED AND SURVIVES STILL IN THE POEM, THE GRIEVED LANDS

This poem is about suffering and survival. The title, “The grieved lands” is a personification of Africa in grief. Yet its peoples are able to overcome various forms of deprivation. The poem shows that the period extends from colonial to modern times. The grieving is due to colonialism and slavery. “ In the tearful woes of ancient and modern slave of other seas’ (stanza |). It is also due to seduction “In the infamous sensation of the stunning perfume of the flower” (stanza 2) as well as the violence meted out “By the wickedness of iron and fire. The psychological effects of grief on Africans include the aborting of dreams ‘...the dream soon undone in the jingling of goalers’. (stanza 3) the loss of self worth “... in the stifled laughter and victorious voice laments” bottled up feelings *.... in the unconscious brilliance of hidden sensations’

 African’s means of survival is through resilience. The never-dying spirits that ..bubble up in dreams. Decked with dance by the baobab....” (stanza 4). (it) through alliance with kindred souls “In the perpetual alliance of everything that lives’.  and through the sacrifices of the dead “They shout out the sound of life. Shout it’  

Africa’s hope for the future lies in coming together/forming a union: “In the harmonious sound of consciences” (stanza 6) it also lies in the exercise of integrity “..honest blood of men’ it lies in observance of universal justice “ In the pure and simple rightness of the stars’ existence’ (stanza 6)  And in the continuance of the African race “Because we are living. And are imperishable particles of the grieved lands of Africa’. 

GABRIEL  AS A COMIC RELIEF CHARACTER IN THE PLAY

The theme of racial discrimination in America of the 1950s which impacts the lives of African Americans particularly the Maxsons. Gabriel, Troy’s brother and a veteran of World War Il is slightly demented and ignored by the larger white American Society. He had a metal plated lodged in his head during the war. Gabriel is Troy’s younger brother and he is the only one of Troy's siblings that we encounter in the play. He is a Second World War veteran who has returned home with a disabling head injury that has made him mentally unsound. He is Uncle to Lyons, Cory and Raynell and Rose’s brother-in-law. 

The interactions of characters, speeches, or scenes in a literary work that alleviate tension by creating fun or humour is referred to as comic relief. Gabriel’s funny actions and speeches are attributed to his mental state, but they add to the reader’s interest by lessening the tension in the family.  Gabriel’s delusional actions and speeches include Seeing himself as Archangel Gabriel. Seeing and chasing “hell hounds”. Believing he died long ago and went to heaven where he shared “some big fat biscuits with St. Peter”. He blows with fanfare his trumpet that gives no sound. Gabriel  Surprises everyone with his appearance at Troy’s funeral because he had been restricted to the nursing home after he was reported to disturb the peace of the neighnourhood and everyone had thought he won’t be allowed to come. He does a slow eerie dance while announcing he is going to tell St. Peter to open the gate for Troy. 

Gabriel’s Comic Relief focuses attention on the excesses of racial discrimination. It Implicates Troy Maxson in his selfish use of his brother’s money. It Provides spaces for audience laugher to lessen the tension in the family. Gabriel's dance at Troy's funeral suggests intercession. His brother’s deeds are now forgiven and Saint Peter is ready to receive him. Gabriel blowing his trumpet with no sound helps to suggest the futility of life as shown in Troy’s own life and death. 

RAYNELL’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE PLOT

 Theme of racial discrimination and its negative impact on the lives of African Americans in the 1950’s. Troy Maxson complicates an already uneasy family life with his extra-marital affair with Alberta. Plot as a sequence of events dictated by the actions of the characters in a play. In the play, Troy Maxson’s home is the centre of most of the actions and events, except those recalled by flashback.  Raynell is Troy’s extra-marital daughter whose mother, Alberta, dies in childbirth at the hospital.  Raynell is brought home by Troy “wrapped in blankets’. She is  step sister to Cory and Lyons and niece to Gabriel (Gabe). 

Events before Ratynell’s integration into Maxson family seem to be very much under control - no significant upheavals. Raynell’s entry into the family introduces the most significant crisis the family has to deal with. (a) Maxson is disowned by Rose as her husband; “From right now... this child got a mother but you a womanless man’. Cory is on his mother’s side and shows disrespect to his father, even ending up fighting him after the fracas at the porch. Rose’s acceptance of Raynell eases the crisis but things are never the same again with the relationship until Troy's death.

 Raynell is a source of comfort for the family as Rose is left with Raynell after Troy’s sudden death. Rose introduces Raynell to Cory and Lyons as her eldest siblings. Lyons says: ‘Look al Raynell. Ain’t she precious’.  Raynell sings late Troy's favourite song on Blue. Raynell explains it  “Papas dog that he sings about all the time’ And she adds that "Blue laid down and died like a man’ after Cory has joined her in singing the song. Rose prepares Raynell to get into her rather tight shoes to artend church fer Troy's burial. 

THE CHARACTER AND ROLES OF MADAM YOKO IN THE PLAY

The play has its relation to the theme of tradition and unfair demands on womanhood and the battles of sexes which are realized through Yoko’s characterization. Yoko's character is revealed through the Conflict in the succession of rulership in Mende land. The Conflict in gender role and abuses of colonialism. The character of Madam Yoko is identified as the favourite wife of Gbanya, ruler of Mende Chiefdom. She is Queen of Mende Chiefdom after the death of Gbanya. She is Sister of Lamboi who, with Musa, is her antagonist. Madam Yoko is an ambitious and courageous woman who joins an all-male society. Madam Yoko’s character from what she says or thinks shows she is submissive to her husband, uses terms of endearment like ‘my lord’, and prefixes what she says with ‘please’. She being courageous and ambitious aks Gbanya to fulfill his promise to make her his successor even though she is a woman. She is kind-hearted “ by taking Jeneba as her own daughter. Mourns the death of Jeneba. Madam Yoko's character from what she does usurps the chiefdom after Gbanya’s death. She empathizes with Jeneba’s mother, Jilo, when she announces the disappearance of her daughter. She appoints Musa to head the search for the missing girl and punishes the real culprits. She punishes Lansana for his adulterous relationship with Jilo. She tries to appease the Colonial Governor when she extends her chiefdom beyond senehun.  She commits suicide, even though proven innocent,  to protect her dignity and self-worth. She undergoes the Poro ritual which qualifies her to succeed Gbanya but denies her the opportunity to give birth. She delivers fair verdict in the adultery case involving Lansana and Jilo. 

Madam Yoko's character from what others say about her is that She is seen as a threat by Musa and Lamboi who want to succeed Gbanya and poison him. She is accused of murdering Jeneba and humiliated by Mende women who call her names. E.g., “murderer, witch, devil and wicked. She is humiliated by colonial power which reduces her chiefdom. She is maligned for her inability to give birth and  humiliated by Ndapi, the Chief Guard who slaps her for alleged complicity in the murder of Jeneba. She is  Remembered for her female leadership traits which blend grace, bravery,  peace and authority in her role as custodian of Mende land. She Ends up a tragic heroine.  

THE CHARACTER AND ROLES OF GBANYA IN THE PLAY

The play is about traditional African Society faced with an internal struggle for power and an external aggression by the colonial government. Gbanya exhibits traits of laudable achievements, pragmatism, good leadership and affection.  Gbanya is chief of Mende and Yoko is his favourite wife. He treats Yoko as a mere sex object for a man’s pleasure, “Of what use is a woman to a man?” There are signs of achievements during his rulership, such as:  His governance enables Mende land to boast of“... the richest wine and the biggest cattle”. His reign wins many ‘sensible’ wars which are described by Ndapi as “... honourable and brave ventures”. Yoko inherits his stable leadership for she confesses that Gbanya is “... the man who made Senehun into a great Chiefdom...”. 

Gbanya has the most courageous warriors in Mende Kingdom.  Gbanya espouses’ pragmatic ideals when he says “a chief must be ruthless”. He says a chief “must never be seen to be weak.:.” He confesses to Yoko. “... If Senehun is to survive, a man must lead... not a woman.” This is because patriarchy is practiced in Mende Kingdom. Gbanya has the courageous band of fighters/warriors.  To a point, Yoko models Gbanya’s “virtues and qualities of undying love” 

both her governance and life.  Lavalie describes Gbanya as “... a finer man ... (and) a braver man...” Gbanya shows affection for his wives through his concern. For example, he dispatches Lavalie, one of his warriors, to “tell my (his) wives to put on their best clothes” to warmly receive . the visiting Governor Rowe. He loves and cares for Yoko because of her vision and contribution to the affairs of the kingdom. Gbanya weak side falls with his misjudgement in sending his warriors to fight on John Caulker's side as against the Governor's brother. Eventually, Governor Rowe humiliates him in the presence of his subjects. He loves Yoko too much. He allows himself to be killed in the interest of peace in the Kingdom. 

THE SYMBOLISM OF THE FENCE IN FENCES

The theme of racial discrimination and its negative effects on an African-American family in the 1950s. African Americans had to fight white segregation as well as deal with their own internal conflict. So, they are externally fenced off while they also put up their own internal fences. Fence Is a structure, like a wall built to separate one area from another or to prevent people or animals from entering or leaving its enclosure. The play is about the building of a fence in the Maxsons’ backyard. The life of the Maxson family is affected one way or the other by the fence building project.  Rose sings a song asking Jesus to protect her like a fence.  Rose believes that asking Troy and Cory to work together to build the fence will help them to bond and heal the conflict between father and son. Bono, Troy's friend also told Troy that Rose wants a fence built around the house to keep Troy and other members of the family in. And this is a time Troy goes to see Alberta at Tylor's place.

 In the final showdown between Troy and Cory, Troy kicks Cory out of the house. The fence becomes the physical barrier that separates father and son.  The constant friction between Troy and his son Cory can be seen as an emotional barrier that separates them. The fence symbolizes all the other emotional barriers; Troy has had to experience these barriers in his life. 

The altercation between Troy and his cruel and abusive father, the racism that prevents him from becoming a professional baseball player,  poverty and homelessness that prevents him from living a dignified life are all fences that is, barriers in his life. 

Even though the play is about the building of a single fence, the title ‘Fences’ derives from the fact that there are other ‘fences’: The play’s main conflict is between father and son, Troy and Cory. There is a metaphorical fence between the two. Early in the play, Troy tries, as it were, to dismantle the racial barrier, that is, the fence between him and his aspiration of becoming the very first black truck driver in the sanitation department he works for. The whites put a ‘fence’ between Cory and his ambition to go to college on a football scholarship. They claim Cory will be discriminated against, that is, a ‘fence’ will be placed between him and his career because he is black. Troy himself had a similar ‘fence’ placed between him and his career as an aspiring baseball player. When Troy’s affair with his mistress, Alberta, is exposed, his wife Rose declares she is no longer Troy’s woman. Troy’s extra-marital affair places a ‘fence’ between him and his wife. 

The Significance of the title is manifested by the hurdles black Americans like Troy had to overcome at their workplace as manifested by the internal wrangling within the Maxson family and efforts to bring back peaceful and harmonious relationships. 

The theme of racial discrimination in America of the 1950s which impacts the lives of black Americans particularly Troy and his family. Troy Maxson is a fifty-two -year old man. He is large and has thick heavy hands. He is the central character in the play. He is the father of Lyons, Cory and Raynell, all from different mothers. He is the husband of Rose. His father is an unsuccessful sharecropper. Troy left home at age fourteen and has now built a family with his wife and children. He is a truck driver in a sanitation department. He is a friend to Bono. 

Troy's character has its background in his upbringing. Troy's father was very hard working, yet he was always in debt. His father used confrontation and violence to put fear in him. Troy engaged in a near-death confrontation with his father over the sexual abuse of his girlfriend. He left his father's home in Alabama, travelling 200 miles to the city. 

As a results of Troy’s Upbringing, he seems to have given him a wrong perception of parenting. He sees himself as a commander who can not accept his Children’s views. Troy learns the value of hard work and a sense of responsibility. Troy  experiences racism as  a boy when he is denied the opportunity to play baseball. As an adult, his honesty and awareness of wrong enable him to change his status at his work place and become the driver of a garbage truck. 

Troy’s upbringing had greater Influences on his children. Troy’s refusal to let Cory play football is an influence from past upbringing. Troy repeats the mistake of his father as he drives his son Cory away from home because of a fierce argument that nearly turns to a physical fight. Troy’s sense of hard work and responsibility is picked up by his sons, particularly Cory. He wants his children to  work hard. This is also shown when Lyons insists on paying him back the ten dollars he borrowed from him. Cory goes away to educate-himself and become a Marine Corporal. Thus, Troy’s upbringing has positive and negative influence on him, and it manifests in his relationship with his children. 

THE NARRATOR’S EXPERIENCES WITH KIMBRO IN THE NOVEL

The relation to theme is the effects of racial prejudice on black Americans and is a major theme in the novel. The narrator is a black college dropout from the Deep South. He is bitter because he is treated as a non-being and so decided to live underground, and be invisible. He finds work in a paint plant. Kimbro is the head of the shipping department at Liberty Paints. He is the narrator's first boss there. He is bad-tempered. The narrator presents himself for a job at Liberty Paints and is assigned to work under Kimbro. The narrator overhears a telephone conversation in which Kimbro is ‘swearing violently’. The narrator is made uneasy by Kimbro’s ‘nasty mood’. The narrator is made to ‘go right to work’ and is taught what to do by Kimbro.The narrator is left on his own as Kimbro leaves to attend a meeting.  He mistakes a component of paint and spoils the paint that he is mixing.  Kimbro is angry and he seeks the narrator’s immediate removal. Given a second chance,  Kimbro seems to relent and guides the narrator afresh. The narrator applies his intuition, and Kimbro approves. The paint is loaded off, to-the narrator’s confusion. The narrator is dismissed from Kimbro’s department, nevertheless.The narrator is surprised that his services can be dispensed with so dismissively.

THE NARRATOR’S EXPERIENCES AT THE EVICTION

The theme of self-identity is a major one in the novel. The narrator is not accorded recognition and so he can declare ‘I am what I am' while eating yam. The character can be identified as an unnamed narrator who is the protagonist in the novel. He is treated as non-being by the system and so ‘an invisible man and retreats into an underground cellar. He encounters the eviction while still in search of his identity within the society. It is the narrator's ‘first northern winter’ when the eviction happens. He is restless and takes a walk in the cold weather. He chances upon an old couple being evicted ‘lawfully’ by ‘Marshals or something’. The old woman keeps repeating: “Leave us alone’ and just look what they doing to us’. The Marshal pleads ‘I got my orders’. The narrator is scandalized: ‘They can do that up here?’ The crowd is surprised by the narrator’s ignorance. The event changes the mood of the crowd. The crowd is incensed and wants ‘to beat the hell out of those paddies’. Hell breaks loose when the woman is hit by the Marshal and she falls, as she insists to go back in and pray. The crowd chases away the marshal and congregates. The narrator made a speech while the crowd soothes, the narrator urges the people to behave like ‘a law-abiding people and slow-to-anger people’ and not resort to violence. The speech rouses the crowd. A much-inspired white girl shows the narrator an escape route as the police arrive. A fellow, Brother jack, who thinks the speech ‘ a masterpiece of persuasion’, catches up with the narrator and offers him coffee and cheese cake. The narrator declines the leadership offer made to him and leaves for Mary’s, contemplating the experience. The race situation is beginning to be explosive.