The language of David Diop’s ‘Africa’ suggests
- the beauty of the African country side
- that black is beautiful
-
that the poet is sad because Africa has been exploited and laid waste for too long
- that the poet remembers the great empire of Africa
- that the poet sees Africa as a colonial power
The correct answer is: C
Explanation
David Diop’s poem ‘Africa is a lamentation of the suffering and exploitation that Africa has endured over the centuries, particularly under the yoke of colonialism.
The poem is not about the beauty of the African countryside (option A) or the greatness of an African empire (option D). Rather, it is a deeply emotional and personal reflection on the pain and suffering that Africa has experienced throughout its history. The poet’s language is not celebratory or triumphant, but rather mournful and sorrowful, as he reflects on the many injustices that have been inflicted upon the continent and its people.
Option B, “that black is beautiful,” is not a theme that is explicitly addressed in the poem. While the poet does celebrate the beauty of Africa and its people, he does not do so in terms of skin colour or race. Rather, his focus is on the land itself and the people who inhabit it.
Option E, “that the poet sees Africa as a colonial power,” is also not a theme that is addressed in the poem. Rather, the poem is a critique of colonialism and the damage that it has inflicted upon Africa and its people.
Therefore, option C, “that the poet is sad because Africa has been exploited and laid waste for too long,” is the most accurate answer to this question. The poem is a powerful and moving reflection on the pain and suffering that Africa has experienced throughout its history, and the poet’s language is rich and evocative as he explores these themes.