Telephone Conversation Africa by David Diop

Symbol

Color of the The “milk chocolate” was used to symbolize

skin the color of the skin being asked by the
landlady to the African.

In the line, “sweat of your work”, the word ‘sweat’

Hard work seemed to symbolize the hard work of that ‘your’
which seemed to be the Africans. Because we usually
sweat ourselves when we’ve done something hard,
usually when we worked on something and used our
physical strength to do it.

Torture S scar ‘whip’ and ‘blood’. They stand for the torture
that Africans went through in colonial time.

Black blood- symbolises African identity
African
identity
Imagery

Seeing/sight The poem is in the point of view of the guy

which seemed to be a brunette, as what he
said. The reader could imagine him to have a
dark skin, as what happened to me.

"lipstick coated, gold rolled cigarette holder

piped"

Taste
Bitter taste of liberty
Figurative
Language

Simile The line, ‘Are you dark or very light’ and the
reply “You mean – like plain or milk
chocolate?” seemed to be simile. We all know
that simile compares in common but uses the
word “like”. And plain chocolate has ‘dark’
color while milk chocolate has ‘light’ one.

Hyperbole The line, “The blood of your sweat” seemed to be

hyperbole. Africans are having a very bad experience
and ‘blood of your sweat’ is used to describe the
results of those experiences they had. It’s with the
word ‘blood’.
Alliteration
You beautiful black blood
Personificatio
n But a grave voice answers me.
Theme/Tone It talks about the racism and discrimination,
which exist until today. And the poem
seemed to be sad about it. The last line could
explain what’s on my mind, and that’s
“Wouldn’t you rather see for yourself?” For
me, it means that we shouldn’t judge others
based on its race or appearance. We don’t
have the right to judge them anyway. They
might not look good but they also might have
a good heart.
 We have to work hard to bring about development

Africans are the victims of this nonstop battle. And the
poem also seemed to be sad about it. They’re not
free. They’re not happy. They’re having bad
experiences. They’re having a lot of problems that are
hard to solve. But time will come that it will soon end
and
“that is your Africa springing up anew”.
We must know our identity as Africans, where we
come from, where we are and what we need to do
to get where we are going.
in Africa.
 Africa
INTRODUCTION
This poem is written by David Diop - A Black African who was born in France in 1927. His father was
from Senegal and his mother from Cameroon and he grew up in France and West Africa aware of both
cultures and traditions. He was deeply concerned by the question of independence from colonial rule.
This poem is a dramatic monologue where the speaker seems to be in conversation with Africa. The
poem can be thematically divided into three parts; pre colonial Africa, colonial Africa and post colonial
Africa.

THEMATIC ANALYSIS.

COLONIAL TORTURE AND EXPLOITATION

There are evidences of torture and exploitation in the poem due to the fact that the poet expresses how the sweat of
Africans was lost in vain.
The blood of your sweat
He sweat of your work
All this was done at a time when Africans were turned into slaves and worked for their masters without any
benefit.
The work of your slavery
The slavery of your children

OPPRESSION AND HUMILIATION

Oppression and humiliation were common practices in colonial time. They were used to force Africans work for
colonisers without objection. This has left scars to Africa that we still depend on them even when they seem to
mistreat us.
This back that breaks under the weight of humiliation
This back trembling with red scars
And saying yes to the whip under the midday sun

IDENTITY AND AWARENESS

The poet however seems to be aware of his identity as black African. Although he grew up in France he shows that
black blood flows in his veins, which is to say he is still an African regardless of where he grew up.
I have never known you
But your blood flows in my veins
The voice that answers Diop sums up his African identity.
Impetuous son that tree young and strong
That tree there
In splendid loneliness amidst white and faded flowers
That is Africa your Africa.

EFFECTS OF COLONIALISM
The poet concludes his poem by showing the effects that colonialism had on African continent. Nevertheless, he
seems to be optimistic that at least Africa is growing up again just like a young tree.
That is Africa your Africa
That grows again patiently obstinately
 GUIDING QUESTIONS
a) What is the poem about?
The poem is about the effects colonialism has had on Africa. It traces the history of pre-colonial Africa, then shows
the torture that Africans underwent in colonialism and how Africa is starting afresh like a young tree.
b) What type of the poem is this?
It is a free verse/modern poem as it doesn’t follow all the strict rules for writing poems. There are variations in the
length of verses in the poem
c) What does the symbol ‘that tree young and strong” suggest?
First of all the symbol refers to Africa. It suggests that after colonialism Africa began to grow up again just as a
young tree.
d) Why do the fruits acquire a bitter taste of liberty? Why does liberty taste bitter?
The fruits acquire a bitter taste because liberation of the oppressed is not a simple thing. It needs sacrifice and
determination. Some people lose their lives in the process. So in such a case liberty is never sweet but bitter
memories.
e) What is the tone of the poem? The tone changes from the beginning it is happy in the middle it becomes sad. This
makes the tone nostalgic and the mood becomes optimistic.
f) Why does the poet say that “black blood flows in his veins”?
Black blood in this poem symbolises African nature as there is no blood that is black in colour. So he shows that
although he grew up in France he is still aware of his African identity.
g) How have the past effects of colonialism shaped the Africa’s present?
The socio-political and economic state of Africa today was seriously affected during colonial time. So Africa was
paralysed and is just starting afresh as a young tree while the colonisers are well off.
 TELEPHONE CONVERSATION

The poem Telephone Conversation is written by Wole Soyinka. The poem is in first person
narrative. It tries to grapple with the issue of racism that lurks within the minds of countless
individuals. The poet has placed before his audience a telephonic conversation between a
white landlady and an African man, with the latter looking for a place to rent. The poem is a
bitter comment on racism and racist prejudices.

In the poem Wole Soyinka talks about two strangers speaking over the telephone. It reveals
the attitudes that some people have about others, particularly judging someone without
knowing him or her personally but by just recognising the colour of someone’s skin.

The poem reflects the conflict between the black and the white landlady. The
poem points at the absurdity of racism. The practice of judging someone on the
basis of his colour/race/caste/social status instead of his inner capabilities
presents the highly corrupt image of the society where individuality is at stake.
 ANATOMY OF A FILIPINO

The Anatomy of a Filipino, which was written by Professor Felix Bautista, talks about the innate qualities
of a true Filipino and what it takes to be called as a Filipino despite the many years of co-mingling of
culture and races. The writing celebrates the multi-cultural country and values that Filipinos have.

FELIX BAUTISTA
 SPEECH CHOIR
Background

Speech Choir Definition

TYPES OF SPEECH CHOIR

ELEMENTS OF SPEECH CHOIR
THINGS TO REMEMBER