Theory question 110
African PoetryLiterature 2, Section C
Comment on the style and theme of Abiku
Show the model answer
Model answer
Theme: the abiku (born-to-die child) and parents' attempts to keep it; mystery of infant death.
J.P. Clark/Soyinka: voice of the child (Soyinka) or parents' plea (Clark).
Style: first-person voice, repetition, imagery of charms, bangles, cycles; tone mocking or pleading.
Traditional belief presented poetically.
Explanation
Discuss theme then style with examples.