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Question: they call you mister steve biko now you're dead and though your death may leave them cold, may leave them cold they who tormented you when you were alive call you mister steve biko now you're dead so many garlands others have placed around your neck, around your neck and you've been given coverage the size of a rugby field now you're dead, but you're dead the best advocate in the land was your voice, was your voice and what does it matter what was said at an inquest the best advocates in the land may speak for the dead, but they're dead they call you mister steve biko now you're dead and though your death may leave them cold, may leave them cold they who tormented you when you were alive call you mister steve biko now you're dead You must answer in full sentences, and you should support your answers by quoting from the poem. Note: You will notice that each question includes a mark allocation. This is to indicate how much you should write to support your answer. One mark represents one main point or reason. If a question counts four marks, that means that you will need to supply four points or reasons. Remember that you can use an example from a poem only once; you cannot use the same example for each of your answers. 1. Consider the first stanza of the poem. 1.1 Comment on what the diction suggests about how Steve Biko was treated while he was alive. (2 marks) 1.2 Who is the “they” referred to here? (1 mark) 1.3 Who was Steve Biko, and why should he be remembered? (If you do not know and need to refer to online sources for this information, remember to reference your sources correctly!) (2 marks) 2. Refer to the title of the poem. 2.1 The title is repeated throughout. What is the effect of this in terms of the content and form of the poem? (2 marks) 2.2 In the title, the poet refers to Steve Biko as ‘mister’. How does this influence the reader’s perception of him? Consider instances when the title: “mister” is normally used. (2 marks) 3. Explore the use of irony in the poem. In your answer, consider the treatment of Steve Biko before and after his death. (3 marks) 4. How does the poet use imagery and symbolism to convey the idea of remembrance and legacy in the poem? (4 marks) 5. How does the poet create rhythm in the poem? (2 marks) 6. Refer to stanza 3. Lines 11-12 state that “the best advocate in the land/ was your voice”. Why is this ironic? (1 mark) 7. Identify the tone of the poem. Remember to justify your answer by referring to two examples. (4 marks) 8. This poem is an example of protest poetry. South Africa has a rich history of this type of poetry. Do you think this poem is effective as a protest poem? Explain. (2 marks) and reference correctly
Here are the answers to your questions concerning the poem about Steve Biko: 1. Consider the first stanza of the poem. 1.1 Comment on what the diction suggests about how Steve Biko was treated while he was alive. (2 marks) - The diction in the first stanza, "they who tormented you when you were alive" suggests that Steve Biko was treated harshly and cruelly during his lifetime. The choice of words like "tormented" indicates severe and inhumane treatment. 1.2 Who is the “they” referred to here? (1 mark) - The "they" referred to in the poem likely denotes the authorities or regime that persecuted Steve Biko, including the apartheid government and its supporters who were responsible for his suffering and eventual death. 1.3 Who was Steve Biko, and why should he be remembered? (2 marks) - Steve Biko was an influential anti-apartheid activist and founder of the Black Consciousness Movement in South Africa. He should be remembered for his contributions to the struggle for racial equality and his efforts to uplift the morale of black South Africans. (Reference: "The Lives of Steve Biko" by Amanda Benedict) 2. Refer to the title of the poem. 2.1 The title is repeated throughout. What is the effect of this in terms of the content and form of the poem? (2 marks) - The repetition of the title throughout the poem underscores the impact of Biko’s death and hammers home the irony of his current recognition juxtaposed with his treatment while alive. This reinforces the central theme of the irony between Biko's treatment in life and recognition after death. 2.2 In the title, the poet refers to Steve Biko as ‘mister’. How does this influence the reader’s perception of him? (2 marks) - Referring to Steve Biko as ‘mister’ bestows a sense of respect and formal dignity upon him. It acknowledges his importance and commands a level of reverence ordinarily reserved for those who are respected and honored, emphasizing his legacy and the recognition he lacked while alive. 3. Explore the use of irony in the poem. In your answer, consider the treatment of Steve Biko before and after his death. (3 marks) - The irony in the poem lies in the contrast between how Steve Biko was treated during his life and how he is revered after his death. While alive, he was tormented and oppressed, yet in death, those same oppressors now honor him by calling him 'Mister Steve Biko' and covering his story extensively ("and you've been given coverage the size of a rugby field"). This dramatic shift highlights the hypocrisy of those who now honor him posthumously. 4. How does the poet use imagery and symbolism to convey the idea of remembrance and legacy in the poem? (4 marks) - The imagery of garlands being placed around Biko's neck symbolizes posthumous honor and recognition ("so many garlands others have placed around your neck"). The metaphor of a rugby field implies the vastness of the coverage and attention he now receives. These images convey the idea that while Biko did not live to see the fruits of his struggle, his legacy and remembrance are significant and extensive. 5. How does the poet create rhythm in the poem? (2 marks) - The poet creates rhythm through the use of repetition and parallel structure, such as repeating the phrase "now you're dead" and "they who tormented you when you were alive". This repetition instills a rhythmic flow and emphasizes the central contrasts framed in the poem. 6. Refer to stanza 3. Lines 11-12 state that "the best advocate in the land/ was your voice". Why is this ironic? (1 mark) - It is ironic because, despite being a powerful advocate for justice while alive, Biko's voice was silenced through his death. Posthumously, his voice continues to advocate through the recognition he receives, yet he is no longer alive to speak. 7. Identify the tone of the poem. Remember to justify your answer by referring to two examples. (4 marks) - The tone of the poem is both somber and accusatory. The somberness is evident through phrases like "may leave them cold" conveying a sense of loss. The accusatory tone is directed at those who "tormented" Biko in life but now honor him in death, exemplifying the poem's critical view of their hypocrisy. 8. This poem is an example of protest poetry. South Africa has a rich history of this type of poetry. Do you think this poem is effective as a protest poem? Explain. (2 marks) - Yes, the poem is effective as a protest poem as it not only highlights the hypocrisy of those who oppressed Biko but also ensures his legacy is remembered. It calls out the injustice faced by Biko and others like him, fostering a continued awareness and critique of such historical wrongs. Remember to reference external sources correctly when citing information about Steve Biko. You can use MLA or APA format, depending on your requirements.
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