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THE TEARS OF A SLAVE Adieu, to my native shore, To toss on the boisterous wave; To enjoy my kindred no more, But to weep – the tears...

THE TEARS OF A SLAVE

Adieu, to my native shore,
To toss on the boisterous wave;
To enjoy my kindred no more,
But to weep – the tears of a SLAVE!

By the sons of freemen I’m borne,
To the land of the free and the brave;
From my wife and children I’m torn,
To weep – the tears of a SLAVE!

When, I think on mother and friends,
And the joy their countenance gave;
Ah! How my sad bosom it rends,
While weeping – the tears of a SLAVE!

Ah! Now, I must labour for gold,
To pamper the pride of the knave;
Ah! Now, I am shackled and sold
To weep – the tears of a SLAVE!

Keen sorrow so presses my heart,
That often I sigh for my grave;
While feeling the lash-cruel smart!
And weeping – the tears of a SLAVE!

Ye sons, of the free and wise,
Your tender compassion I crave;
Alas! can your bosoms despise
The pitiful tears of a SLAVE!

Can a land of Christians so pure!
Let demons of slavery rave!
Can the angel of mercy endure,
The pitiless – tears of a SLAVE!

Just heaven, to thee I appeal;
Hast thou not the power to save?
In mercy the power reveal,

Questions.
1. Who is the persona in the poem? (2mks)

2. What is happening to the persona in the first stanza? (3 marks)
3. Identify the dominant two styles used in the poem and state their effectiveness? (4mks)

4. What is the tone of the poem? (2mks)
5. Who do you think is described as ‘knave’ in the fourth stanza? Give a reason for your answer. (2mks)
6. In what way does the persona question religion? (2mks)

7. What solution does the poet offer that will end slavery? (2mks)
8. Explain the meaning of the following lines as used in the poem. (3mks)
a. From my wife and children I’m torn.
b. Keen sorrow so presses my heart.

Answers

Peter
1. 1. Who is the persona in the poem?
The persona of the poem is a slave – ‘I am shackled and sold to weep the tears of a slave.
2. What is happening to the persona in the first stanza
The persona is being taken away from his homeland ? , travelled through the sea ? to work as a slave and in the process he is separated from his relatives ?.
3. Identify the dominant two styles used in the poem and state their effectiveness?
The dominant styles are:
a. Rhyme – shore, more; wave, slave: borne, torn; brave, slave. It creates rhythm in the poem.
b. Repetition – the phrase ‘tears of a slave’ has been repeated for emphasis.
1 mark for identification and illustration. 1 mark for stating its effectiveness.
4. What is the tone of the poem?
Contemptuous ? – the poet condemns slavery by highlighting the tribulations of the slaves ? e.g. the pain of being separated from their families.
5. Who do you think is described as ‘knave’ in the fourth stanza? Give a reason for your answer.
The Knaves are the European/Colonialist ? because in the history of slavery, it is the European who came to Africa to capture slaves ?.
6. In what way does the persona question religion?
He questions the beliefs of Christianity ? by asking why it has allowed the demons of slavery to rave ?.
7. What solution does the poet offer that will end slavery?
He appeals to God to save them from slavery ? – just to heaven to thee I appeal, hast thou not the power to save? ?

8. Explain the meaning of the following lines as used in the poem. (3mks)
a) From my wife and children I’m torn.
I am separated from my wife and children.
Musyoxx answered the question on July 25, 2018 at 13:52

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