African Poetry as an Expression of Agony

Abstract

This study focuses on sociological study of selected African poems as an expression of agony which seeks to address
the issues of oppression, psychological torture, injustice, apartheid, racism oppression and man’s inhumanity to man
in the society. Since series of poems of culture, love, nature and animalistic voices are mostly presented by the critics,
this study has as focus poetry as an expression of agony and pain in Africa.
The study therefore adopted an analytic approach in its examination of the poems. The natures of agony as well as
suggested resolution to this agony in the poems are pointed out with close reference to the selected poems. Poetic
devices of the two (2) poems (Nightfall in Soweto and Peasant) are also analysed in attempt to discuss the themes of
the poems. In conclusion, it was discovered that the poems exposed the terrible state of affairs in Africa through the
poet’s effective use of symbols and images.