Answer to Question #319116 in English for KDL

Question

Michael Chapman, The New Century of South African Poetry

In the poem “City Johannesburg”, the poet uses metaphors and images that convey the life in

this city as depressing. Identify these images and discuss whether or not you think the poet

uses them in order to break free from depression.

“City Johannesburg” - Mongane Wally Serote

Answer 1

In the beginning of the poem, the poet speaks about his life, “For my pass, my life” and towards the end he speaks about his death, “My dongas, my dust, my people, my death”. These lines are contrasting and compare the pass which allows him to live in a township and work in the city, to his death.The speaker’s daily movement between the township and the city emphasises the lives of the workers in the past and present. The images such as “roboted roads”, “thick iron breath” and “neon flowers” describe various aspects of the city. These examples reveal the controlling effects of industry in the city and also the artificial beauty of the city in the dark. The poet uses these images to break free depression.