GENERAL NOTES ON "BLACK WOMAN" BY LEOPORD SENGHOR
This poem was originally written in French as " femme notr", and later translated to English. It is a hymn of praise to the African Black Woman as a person and symbol of the richness of African culture.
The black woman is seen as a mother, daughter, sister and indeed the poet's home country. Senghor's experiences while living abroad influenced his writing of this ode to the black woman, whose beauty is natural and perfect.
He also uses the poem to stress the need to accord the black woman her rightful place in the scheme of things in the African society.
THEMES
1- THE BEAUTY OF THE BLACK WOMAN
The poet admires the beautiful smooth skin of the African woman, which strikes his heart " like the lighting of the eagle". He appreciates the powerful black presence of the natural black woman around him right from his childhood.
2- AFRICAN WOMAN AS THE SOURCE AND SUSTAINER OF THE GROWING CHILD
The poet expresses his love to his mother and indeed mother Africa, for the care, love, and protection until he enters the " Promised Land" of adulthood. The ability of black woman to give birth and sustain the life of the infant child is commended in the poem.
3- BEAUTY OF AFRICA
The poet personifies Africa as the black woman who is ever beautiful. He is proud of the undiluted and physical features that make the African heritage unique. Senghor, presents mother Africa as a paragon of beauty and complete perfection without any Western influence before colonisation.
0 comments:
Post a Comment