Analysis of "Not My Business" by Niyi Osundare

Introduction
“Not My Business” is a protest poem written by Niyi Osundare, a renowned
Nigerian poet. The poem exposes the brutality, oppression, and silence that
characterized military dictatorship in Nigeria and many African countries.
Osundare condemns the culture of fear and indifference that allows injustice to
thrive.
Summary of the Poem
The speaker narrates how various people are arrested and punished by an
oppressive government. Each time someone is brutalized or taken away, the
speaker claims it is “not my business” because he still enjoys comfort and safety.
Eventually, the government turns against the speaker himself, and no one is left to
defend him.
Themes
1. Oppression and Tyranny – The poem highlights how authoritarian
governments use violence to silence citizens.
2. Silence and Complicity – The repeated phrase “not my business” shows
how people ignore injustice.
3. Fear and Self-Preservation – Citizens choose silence to protect themselves.
4. Collective Responsibility – Injustice against one person affects everyone.
5. Consequences of Indifference – Silence eventually leads to personal
destruction.
Poetic Devices
- Repetition: “Not my business” emphasizes apathy.
- Irony: Comfort exists alongside suffering.
-Imagery: Violent images portray oppression.
- Symbolism: Boots symbolize military power; chains represent loss of freedom.
- Tone: Satirical and warning.
Structure and Style
The poem is written in free verse with simple language and a conversational tone.

Message of the Poem

Analysis of “The Breast of the Sea” by Syl Cheney-Coker

Introduction

“The Breast of the Sea” is a poem by Syl Cheney-Coker, a Sierra Leonean poet
known for his concern with African history, suffering, and identity. In this poem,
the sea is used symbolically to represent the trauma of slavery and colonial
exploitation. The poet presents the sea as both a nurturing mother and a site of
death, highlighting a painful historical contradiction.

Summary of the Poem

The poem portrays the sea as a maternal figure whose “breast” should give life and
nourishment. However, instead of nurturing Africans, the sea becomes a
graveyard during the transatlantic slave trade. Through this paradox, the poet
mourns the countless African lives lost and emphasizes the enduring pain of
Africa’s past.

Themes

1. Slavery and Historical Suffering

The poem focuses on the Middle Passage, during which many Africans died at
sea.

2. Life and Death

The sea symbolizes both life (motherhood) and death (mass burial).
3. Exploitation and Inhumanity

The poem condemns European exploitation and the cruelty inflicted on Africans.

4. Memory and Mourning

The poet laments the dead and insists that their suffering should never be
forgotten.

5. Irony of Nature

A natural element meant to sustain life becomes an instrument of death.

Poetic Devices

 Symbolism:
o Sea → slavery, suffering, memory
o Breast → motherhood and nourishment
 Metaphor:
The sea is metaphorically presented as a mother whose breast feeds death
instead of life.
 Imagery:
Strong images of death and suffering evoke pity and sorrow.
 Irony:
The nurturing sea becomes destructive.
 Tone:
Mournful, sorrowful, and accusatory.

Structure and Style

The poem is written in free verse, allowing emotional freedom. The language is
symbolic, serious, and emotionally charged.
 Stanza-by-Stanza Explanation

Stanza One

The poet introduces the sea as a mother figure, using the image of a “breast” to
suggest nourishment and care. However, this expectation is quickly shattered as
the poet hints at suffering and death associated with the sea.

Explanation:
The stanza establishes the central paradox of the poem — a nurturing image linked
with destruction.

Stanza Two

The sea is now clearly presented as a graveyard for Africans who died during the
slave trade. The poet emphasizes pain, loss, and cruelty.

Explanation:
This stanza directly addresses the horrors of the Middle Passage and the mass
deaths of enslaved Africans.

Stanza Three

The poet reflects on the emotional and historical scars left by slavery. The
suffering is shown as long-lasting, not limited to the past.

Explanation:
The stanza stresses that Africa’s trauma continues to affect the present.

Stanza Four

The poem concludes with a reminder that the sea still carries the memory of these
atrocities. The poet urges readers to remember and reflect on history.
Explanation:
The final stanza serves as a warning against forgetting the past and repeating
injustice.

Message of the Poem

Syl Cheney-Coker warns that Africa’s history of slavery and suffering must not
be forgotten. Remembering the past is necessary for justice and healing.

Conclusion

“The Breast of the Sea” is a powerful protest poem that uses maternal imagery
and irony to highlight the horrors of slavery. By presenting the sea as both life-
giving and deadly, Cheney-Coker captures the deep tragedy of African history and
calls for remembrance.

Analysis of "She Walks in Beauty" by Lord Byron

Introduction

“She Walks in Beauty” is a Romantic poem written by Lord Byron in 1814 and
published in 1815. The poem celebrates female beauty as a combination of
physical attractiveness and inner purity. Byron presents beauty as a perfect balance
between light and darkness.

Summary of the Poem

The poet describes a woman whose beauty is calm, natural, and graceful. Her
appearance blends light and darkness harmoniously. Her face and smile reflect a
peaceful mind and a pure heart, showing that her outward beauty mirrors her inner
innocence.

Themes

1. Physical and Inner Beauty – True beauty combines outward appearance and
inner goodness.

2. Harmony and Balance – Light and darkness symbolize perfection.

3. Purity and Innocence – The woman’s thoughts and character are morally
pure.
4. Admiration and Idealization – The poet idealizes the woman.

Poetic Devices

- Simile: “She walks in beauty, like the night”

- Imagery: Light, shade, stars, and skies

- Alliteration: “cloudless climes”, “starry skies”

- Contrast: Light versus darkness

- Metaphor: Light represents goodness; darkness represents mystery

Structure and Style

The poem has three stanzas of six lines each with a regular ABABAB rhyme
scheme.

Tone and Mood

The tone is admiring and gentle, while the mood is peaceful and romantic.

Message of the Poem

True beauty lies in harmony between physical appearance and moral character.

Conclusion

“She Walks in Beauty” portrays beauty as calm, balanced, and rooted in inner
virtue.