Theory question 110
African PoetryLiterature 2, Section C. African Poetry
What is the thematic pre-occupation of Mtshali in 'Nightfall in Soweto'?
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Model answer
Theme: fear and insecurity of black people in apartheid South Africa at night.
Night is personified as a 'mortal enemy' and compared to a dreaded disease.
Violence by criminals (and police raids) makes the townships unsafe.
Helplessness: the speaker cannot find refuge ('Where is my refuge?').
Protest against apartheid conditions and dehumanisation of blacks.
Supporting references and comment on imagery.
Explanation
State the theme, then support it with images from the poem.