Literature

This term’s Literature curriculum introduces students to significant African poetry, beginning with “The Grieved Land of Africa” by Agostinho Neto, which expresses the emotional pain of colonial oppression and the yearning for liberation. The study continues with an exploration of settings in poetry, helping students understand the environments that shape poetic meaning. In Week 3, attention shifts to Niyi Osundare’s “The Leader and the Led,” a satirical poem exploring leadership and societal expectations, followed by a detailed analysis of poetic devices used to convey its messages.

The second half of the term covers more reflective African poems. Chibuike Onu’s “A Government Driver on His Retirement” is examined for both content and its underlying themes of service, mortality, and irony. Students then study Leopold Senghor’s “Black Woman,” a celebration of African beauty and identity, analyzing its themes, setting, and poetic devices. Overall, the curriculum deepens students’ appreciation of African poetry and enhances their analytical skills in literary studies.