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SS1: LITERATURE-IN-ENGLISH - 1ST TERM

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  1. Definition of Literature, Functions of Literature, Genres of Literature | Week 1
    3 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  2. Introduction to Prose, Types of Prose | Week 2
    2 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  3. Features of Prose Fiction | Week 3
    1 Topic
    |
    1 Quiz
  4. Introduction to Drama | Week 4
    2 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  5. Elements of Drama | Week 5
    1 Topic
    |
    1 Quiz
  6. Introduction to Poetry | Week 6
    2 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  7. Features of Poetry | Week 7
    1 Topic
    |
    1 Quiz
  8. Literary Devices | Week 8
    2 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  9. Introduction to African Poetry: "The Leader And The Led" By Niyi Osundare | Week 9
    9 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  10. Introduction to Non-African Poetry “Caged Bird” (I know Why The Caged Bird Sings) by Maya Angelou | Week 10
    8 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz

Quizzes

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Topic Content:

  • Poetic Devices “The Leader And The Led”

1.    Contrast:

The Loin stakes his claim 
To the leadership of the pack 

But the Antelopes remember 
The ferocious pounce of his paws

The Hyena says the crown is made for him
But the Impalas shudder at his lethal appetite 

The Giraffe craves a place in front
But his eyes are too far from the ground

The Elephant trudges into the power tussle
But its colleagues dread his trampling feet.

The poet makes effective use of contrast to make ineffective the animals’ desire to lead the pack. The use of “But” in the above examples contrasts the ideas in the couplets as it reveals a weakness in the character of the animal who aspires to lead the pack.

2.    Simile:

 

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Question 1

Question 1:

The poem “The Leader and the Led” is a satire. Discuss

Answer:

A satire is a literary piece in prose, drama or verse that uses humour, irony, exaggeration or ridicule to expose and criticize people, and vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.

The poem explores the inordinate ambition and struggles for power found in many African leaders as portrayed in the theme of criticism of African Politics.

The poem satirizes African politics or governance in Africa which seems not to have ever worked as it is characterized by nepotism, greed and corruption, just to mention but a few. The reader is first made to know that African leaders stake their claim to power. In other words, they clinch onto power. Everyone exhibits his quest to clinch to power by all means and this breeds tussle and rivalry that leaves African countries undeveloped. Leaders in most African countries are not leaders in the true sense of the word. They are selfish, corrupt and after their personal gains at the detriment of “the led”. They see leadership as their exclusive preserve and eat up what belongs to the masses, like the Hyena with “lethal appetite”, they fail to fulfil their campaign promises but do the opposite, like the Zebra with duplicity of stripes.

The Lion and the Elephant are metaphors for military rule in African countries that are characterized by tyranny and deprivation of the rights and privileges of citizens. The poet depicts Africa as a continent without good leadership and compares it to “a snake without a head” as it thrashes around for a leader.

The poet profers “a hybrid of habits” as a solution to the problem of African leadership and followership. He opines that African leaders should possess both characters of a Lion and a Lamb for the benefit of the citizenry. He finally advises that African leaders should see themselves as servant leaders.

“A leader who knows how to follower/followers mindful of their rights to lead”.

Question 2

Question 2:

The poem “The Leader and the Led” is a fable. Discuss.

Answer:

A fable is a fictional story in drama prose or verse featuring animals with human characteristics that delivers a lesson or a moral at the end.

“The Leader and the Led” is a poetic fable which discusses the subject of leadership. It discusses the relationship between leadership and followership as it talks about the search for a leader in the animal kingdom. Various animals and their characteristics are mentioned in the poem.

In the first and second couplets, the persona highlights the Lion’s “claim to the leadership of the pack”. The Lion sees himself as the most suitable to lead the other animals in the animal kingdom because of his strength and courage. But the Antelopes see the Lion’s leadership as dangerous. They perceive that their lives and freedom would be at risk if the Lion lead because with his “paws” the Lion has attacked and killed Antelopes in the past.

In the third couplet, “the Hyena” also “says the crown is made for him”. But the Impalas completely object to his claim. “They shudder at his lethal appetite”. They object to the leadership because they are eaten by it.

In the fourth couplet, “The Giraffe craves a place in the front”. As the tallest animal in the world, the Giraffe sees himself as the most suitable to lead. Unfortunately, his height disqualifies him. Other animals feel that “his eyes are too far from the ground” and so, he will be insensitive to the feelings of other animals.

In the fifth and sixth couplet, the Zebra and the Elephant respectively state their claim to the leadership of the animals. The Zebra sees leadership as his exclusive preserve but “the duplicity of his stripes” disqualifies him. The duplicity of his stripe signals inconsistency, deception and fraud.

On the part of the Elephant, other animals “dread his trampling feet” and so disapprove of his leadership.

In the seventh and eighth couplets, the Warthog and the Rhino are perceived as being “too ugly” and “too riotous” respectively and are also disqualified to lead.

Thus there is no perfect animal to lead the pack as every animal has a weakness which disqualifies him. There is disorder and a lack of leadership among the animals in the jungle.

In the last four couplets, the “Forest Sage” offers very important advice “our need calls for a hybrid of habits” “A little bit of a Lion” and “a little bit of a Lamb”. This is what he wants the right leader to be, and this guides the animals in the right direction.

The “Forest Sage” concludes that leadership and followership are interwoven therefore a good leader is the one “who knows how to follow/followers mindful of their rights to lead”.

As a fable, the moral drama of the poem is that leadership is not the exclusive preserve of any particular group of people.

Although the poem talks about animals and the search for a leader in the animal kingdom, on a deeper level the poem discusses the characteristics of a good leader.

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