Week: ONE &TWO

Class: SS two

Subject: Literature-In-English

Topic: Introduction to Syl Cheney-Coker : The Breast of The Sea

Sub topics: Subject matter, Plot, Themes, Literary Devices, Setting.

Previous Knowledge: The students have been taught poetry and literary devices.

Instrumental Material: The Textbook

Preference: Exam Focus literature in English by J.O.J Tunde Omobowale et al

Behavioural Objectives: By the end of the lesson, the students Should be able to:

(a) Examine the setting and background of the poems.

(b) Vividly give the plot account of the poems.
(c) Explain at least two themes of the poems.
(d) Comment on the language and style of the poem

Presentation
Step One: The teacher revise the previous lesson by correcting the previous homework .
Step Two: The teacher asks a student to read out the poem.
Step Three: The teacher reads out the poem and explains it.
Step Four: The teacher explains the setting of the poem.
Step Five: The teacher explains the themes of the poem.
Step Six: The teacher asks the students to mention the literary devices used in the poem.
Step Seven: The teacher gives note and marks the students’ notebooks.
Evaluation: Discuss the three themes in the poem.
Conclusion: The teacher concludes the lesson by correcting the class drill.
Assignment: comment on the poem’s subject matter

CONTENT
 The Breast of the Sea" is a poignant reflection on the tumultuous history of the
20th century, characterized by violence, exploitation, and environmental
degradation. The poem opens with the stark line, “After our bloody century, the
sea will groan under its weight,” immediately establishing the sea as a witness to
human suffering and conflict. The phrase “somewhere between breasts and
anus” personifies the sea, suggesting a maternal figure burdened by the
atrocities it has witnessed.
As the poem progresses, Cheney-Coker highlights the sea's inability to yield
“new islands” due to being “filled with toxins,” symbolizing the environmental
impact of human actions. The poet references significant historical events,
stating, “The sea is only capable of so much history: Noah's monologue, the
Middle Passage's cargoes,” which connects the sea to the transatlantic slave
trade and biblical narratives of destruction.
In the concluding lines, the poet questions, “But do you, O Sea, long-suffering
mistress, have the balm to heal the wound of her children?” This evokes a sense
of longing for redemption and healing amidst the scars of history, encapsulating
the poem's exploration of loss, trauma, and the hope for reconciliation.
The poem narrates the perilous experience of people who embark on a sea
voyage. It describes the sea as both a life-giving and destructive force. The
speaker presents the sea as a treacherous, unpredictable entity that has claimed
the lives of many. The poem conveys a sense of despair as the sea is portrayed
as a devourer of human lives, suggesting the tragic outcomes of such journeys.
Yet, there’s also a subtle undertone of reverence for the sea, as it represents
nature's overwhelming power.

Themes

1. Human Violence and Historical Trauma

One of the central themes of the poem is the destructive nature of human history.
Cheney-Coker references significant events such as the slave trade, wars, and
 environmental disasters, illustrating how these moments have scarred both
humanity and the natural world. The sea, as a witness to these atrocities,
embodies the collective trauma that transcends generations. This theme invites
readers to reflect on the consequences of human actions and the urgent need for
healing and reconciliation.

2. Interconnectedness of Humanity
The poem emphasizes the interconnectedness of all people through shared
experiences of suffering and survival. The sea serves as a common ground that
links diverse cultures and histories. By referencing events like the Middle
Passage and the Titanic, Cheney-Coker highlights how the sea has been a site
of both despair and hope. This theme encourages readers to recognize their
shared humanity and the importance of empathy in addressing historical
injustices.

3. Nature as a Nurturer and Destroyer

Cheney-Coker explores the duality of nature, particularly the sea, as both a
nurturing force and a source of destruction. The sea is depicted as a mother
figure that provides sustenance and life, yet it is also a graveyard for countless
souls lost to its depths. This theme reflects the complexity of the natural world
and humanity's relationship with it, urging readers to consider the consequences
of their actions on the environment.

4. Cyclical Nature of Life

The poem suggests that life is cyclical, with the sea representing the eternal flow
of existence. The imagery of the sea’s belly filled with toxins and the groaning of
the waves evokes a sense of inevitability and renewal. This theme encourages
readers to contemplate the cycles of life, death, and rebirth, as well as the
potential for regeneration and healing in the face of historical wounds.
5. The Power of Nature: The sea is depicted as a powerful, almost mythical force
that both nurtures and destroys. This highlights the theme of nature's uncontrollable
power.
6. Human Vulnerability and Suffering: The poem reflects on human fragility in the
face of nature’s immense power. The sea voyage symbolizes the precariousness of life
and the inevitability of death.
7. VbEndurance and Survival: Despite the destructive force of the sea, there is an
underlying theme of human endurance. People continue to take on dangerous journeys,
reflecting the human will to survive and seek better llives..
8. Migration and Loss: The poem may subtly allude to themes of migration, where
the sea voyage represents the journeys taken by those fleeing hardship, only to face
danger and loss.

Literary Devices

1. Personification
Cheney-Coker personifies the sea, giving it maternal qualities. This device
creates an emotional connection between the reader and the sea, allowing the
ocean to embody both nurturing and destructive traits. The sea's "breasts"
symbolize nourishment, while its "belly" suggests the weight of history it carries.
The sea is personified as a living entity with a “breast,” suggesting both its
nurturing and destructive nature. The use of "breast" evokes an image of both
care and destruction, as if the sea both gives and takes life.

2. Imagery
The poem is rich in vivid imagery, painting a picture of the sea as a living entity.
Descriptive phrases evoke sensory experiences, such as the sound of waves
and the visual of the sea's depths. This imagery enhances the emotional impact
of the poem, allowing readers to feel the weight of the historical events
 referenced. Vivid imagery of the sea is used throughout the poem. Descriptions
of the sea devouring lives and claiming people conjure a powerful image of loss
and fear.

3. Historical Allusion
Cheney-Coker employs historical allusions to anchor the poem in real events and
figures. References to Noah's flood, the Middle Passage, and the sinking of the
Titanic serve to contextualize the themes of violence and loss. These allusions
deepen the reader's understanding of the sea as a witness to human history.

4. Symbolism
The sea itself is a powerful symbol throughout the poem. It represents life, death,
and the passage of time. The sea's ability to nurture and destroy encapsulates
the complexities of human existence, making it a fitting metaphor for the themes
explored in the poem. The sea symbolizes the duality of nature—both life-giving
and death-bringing. It may also symbolize fate or the unknown, where humans
face uncertainty in their life journeys.

5. Repetition
The use of repetition in certain phrases emphasizes the poem's central themes
and creates a rhythmic quality. This device reinforces the cyclical nature of life
and the ongoing impact of historical trauma, echoing the idea that these
experiences are not isolated but rather part of a larger continuum.
Tone:
The tone of the poem is somber and reflective, filled with a sense of awe and sorrow for
the lives lost to the sea.

Time Setting
"The Breast of the Sea" is set against the backdrop of the late 20th century, a period
marked by significant global turmoil, including wars, colonial legacies, and
environmental crises. The opening line, "After our bloody century," immediately situates
the poem in a historical context, reflecting on the violence and suffering that
characterized the 20th century, including two world wars, civil conflicts, and the ongoing
impacts of colonialism. The phrase "bloody century" encapsulates the poet's
perspective on a time filled with human atrocities and environmental degradation,
suggesting a sense of mourning for the losses incurred during this era.
The poem's references to various historical events, such as the Middle Passage and the
Titanic, further anchor it in a timeline of human history that spans centuries but
culminates in the traumatic experiences of the 20th century. This temporal setting
emphasizes the interconnectedness of past and present, highlighting how historical
wounds continue to affect contemporary societies.

Geographical Setting
Geographically, the poem primarily focuses on the sea, which serves as a powerful
symbol of both nurturing and destruction. The sea is depicted as a maternal figure, with
lines like "the sea's breasts will console some orphans," suggesting a source of comfort
amidst suffering. However, the poem also reveals the darker aspects of the sea, as it is
described as "filled with toxins" and unable to "yield new islands," indicating the
environmental degradation caused by human actions.
Specific geographical references include Sierra Leone, the poet's homeland, which is
portrayed as a site of profound suffering. The line "Sierra Leone won't be worth a raped
woman's cry" starkly illustrates the impact of civil war and social injustice on the nation,
reflecting the broader struggles faced by many African countries during and after
colonial rule. Additionally, references to East Timor and Australia highlight the global
nature of the themes explored in the poem, connecting the experiences of different
regions and peoples.
In conclusion, the time and geographical settings in "The Breast of the Sea" are
intricately woven into the poem's exploration of historical trauma, environmental
degradation, and the enduring impact of human actions on both nature and society.
Through these settings, Syl Cheney-Coker invites readers to reflect on the complexities
of the human experience and the urgent need for healing and reconciliation.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
Objective Questions

1. Who is the author of "The Breast of the Sea"?

2. In which century does the poem primarily reflect upon?
3. What does the sea symbolize in the poem?
4. Which historical event is referenced as "the Middle Passage"?
5. What does the phrase "filled with toxins" refer to in the poem?
6. Which famous ship's remains are mentioned in the poem?
7. What does the poet mean by "the sea's belly will not yield new islands"?
8. Which country is specifically mentioned as suffering in the poem?
9. What imagery is used to describe Sierra Leone in the poem?
10. What is the tone of the poem?
11. What literary device is primarily used when referring to the sea as a "long-suffering
mistress"?
12. How does the poem address the theme of motherhood?
13. What does the poet question at the end of the poem regarding the sea?
14. Which two groups are mentioned as "orphans" in the poem?
15. What is one of the key themes explored in "The Breast of the Sea"

Theory Questions

1. Discuss the significance of the title "The Breast of the Sea" in relation to the poem's
themes.
2. Analyze how Cheney-Coker uses historical allusions to deepen the poem's impact.
3. Explore the relationship between the sea and humanity as depicted in the poem.
4. Examine the use of imagery in the poem and how it contributes to the overall
message.
5. Reflect on the poem's commentary on environmental degradation and its implications
for future generations.