Comparative Essay
“Telephone Conversation” by Wole Soyinka was written in 1962, set in London. Soyinka is a Nigerian playwright who was the first African that won the noble for literature in 1986. Few years later, “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou was written in 1978 set in the American Slums of Harlem. Angelou is an educator, and civil rights activist. Together both poems explore the themes of prejudice and racial discrimination. “Telephone Conversation” explores the idea of racial prejudice against the black race. On the other hand “Still I rise” expresses the strength which is stored in all of us, by displaying a sarcastic response towards the people who look down upon others on the basis of race. Together, the two poets stress the significance …show more content…
The range of devices are rich in imagery, which grants the reader sensory access to their figure of speech. The first stanza of the poem “Still I rise” reflects the concept of slavery, suggested by the word “history”. Angelou affirms that regardless of the abuse the speaker suffers that she will rise; she won’t disappear, she will not be defeated, and she won’t be held back. In the same way as Soyinka’s poem reinforcing the point Angelou’s poem is based on. “Telephone Conversation” includes several instances of the word ‘silence’. Often one of the ways people use to indicate prejudice is through silence. Together, both poets imply that the black race is being held down through the use of …show more content…
It depicts the brutality of racism and the fear of being judged on the merit of being a particular color. Although, it was more rampant during the time the poems were written things are getting better. Some of the credit for this has to go to the freedom writers like Maya Angelou and Wole Soyinka. In today’s world, racism might be a dying concern; but that does not mean that discrimination against other minorities doesn’t exist. Despite the progressing times, people continue to harbor prejudice and illogical suspicions about things they do not understand: may it be others’ ideals, religions or traditions and
“Telephone Conversation” by Wole Soyinka was written in 1962, set in London. Soyinka is a Nigerian playwright who was the first African that won the noble for literature in 1986. Few years later, “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou was written in 1978 set in the American Slums of Harlem. Angelou is an educator, and civil rights activist. Together both poems explore the themes of prejudice and racial discrimination. “Telephone Conversation” explores the idea of racial prejudice against the black race. On the other hand “Still I rise” expresses the strength which is stored in all of us, by displaying a sarcastic response towards the people who look down upon others on the basis of race. Together, the two poets stress the significance …show more content…
The range of devices are rich in imagery, which grants the reader sensory access to their figure of speech. The first stanza of the poem “Still I rise” reflects the concept of slavery, suggested by the word “history”. Angelou affirms that regardless of the abuse the speaker suffers that she will rise; she won’t disappear, she will not be defeated, and she won’t be held back. In the same way as Soyinka’s poem reinforcing the point Angelou’s poem is based on. “Telephone Conversation” includes several instances of the word ‘silence’. Often one of the ways people use to indicate prejudice is through silence. Together, both poets imply that the black race is being held down through the use of …show more content…
It depicts the brutality of racism and the fear of being judged on the merit of being a particular color. Although, it was more rampant during the time the poems were written things are getting better. Some of the credit for this has to go to the freedom writers like Maya Angelou and Wole Soyinka. In today’s world, racism might be a dying concern; but that does not mean that discrimination against other minorities doesn’t exist. Despite the progressing times, people continue to harbor prejudice and illogical suspicions about things they do not understand: may it be others’ ideals, religions or traditions and