ELT 301 (SURVEY OF AFRO-ASIAN LITERATURE- MODULE 7

ACTIVITY SHEET

Name: Erica Amaneo Course & Year: BSED-ENG III A

Instructor: MA. AILEEN S. CASERA Date of Submission: October 26, 2021

ACTIVITY 1

Instruction: Discuss the five major themes of African literature as reflected in the poem “Africa” written
by David Diop. Make sure to provide a profound yet precise explanation on each item.
MAJOR THEME DISCUSSION
David Diop's poem "Africa" promotes the notion of
liberation in his works. The Africa poem is about the state
of being free within society and having freedom from
oppressive restrictions imposed by colonizers on one way
of life of African people in slavery, and the poem is all
about the freedom of the African people against slavery,
LIBERATION and they express themselves against those who
discriminate against their culture, values, beliefs, and
experiences in slavery through writing poem. They gain
freedom by writing poetry and exposing their life as slaves.
The poem portrays a struggle to not only repair Africa's
tarnished image, but also to free it from slavery.

Nationalism purpose of achieving and keeping the nation's

sovereignty over its homeland. Most African literature is an
expression of its country's social evolution and about
people nationalism . The poem "Africa" depicts Africans
striving for nationalism in their homeland, despite the fact
NATIONALISM that Africans had been colonized, slaved, humiliated, and
tortured for a long time by ruthless and merciless
colonizers. In addition, the poem Africa expresses his
desire for an independent African nation as well as the
problems brought on by colonialism and the enslavement
of Africans.
 The author of the poem "Africa," David Diop, attempts to
send a message of hope and resistance to the people of
Africa who arenarratives,
Slave enslaved. anti-colonial
The poem detailed
rallies, all of thefor
appeals
abuses perpetrated
independence, on Africans, as well
African pride, andashope
their for
efforts to future
Africa's
obtain nationalism for their
can all be found countryliterature.
in African in the face In of
addition, the
invaders.poem is about colonialism's impacts in Africa. It traces the
precolonial period's history. Africa depicts the suffering
The author himself depicts the ancient life of African
that Africans endured throughout colonialism, and the
people as a slave in his poem "Africa," written by David
African people's long history has had a significant impact
Diop. The author of a poem is interested about their
on the issue of colonialism in literature.
country's past and contemporary history, which is
reflected in his work. Africa is well-known for its rich
cultural heritage. When writing poetry, the poem must be
composed in accordance with tradition, which means that
TRADITION it must take into account people's customs, religious
beliefs, and traditional beliefs. The relevance of tradition
in poetry composition, which might be considered the
poem's major point.

DISPLACEMENT African literature is characterized by displacement and

rootlessness. The poem depicts the dispersion and
AND rootlessness that colonization has brought in Africa. The
displacement caused by European conquerors' capture of
land, the displacement caused by forced removals under
ROOTLESSNESS specific apartheid laws, as well as the displacement
induced by imprisonment or slavery of African people.

"Africa" is one of his most well-known poems, in which he

explores the history of African people's colonialism and
COLONIALISM expresses hope for a postcolonial Africa, as well as
opposing racial injustice. Africa is written during the
colonial period, mainly from the perspective of the
colonizers, because Africans are victims of slavery and
colonialism.