Power is shifting. The position is not forever. Remember, it is because you are in power or position today, that is why you are relevant. Once you leave the position if at all, you will be less reckoned with. Also, the researchers will be able to learn further to analyze and appreciate any poem through the knowledge of this work.
Pride and Power
Contents
If you climb Kilimanjaro mountain
Come down
If you always stand on the platform
Higher than that of your colleagues
Step to the normal level
If you have the legs of an elephant
Don’s trample the path around
When pride comes, then disgrace follows
If you climb the ladder
Remember
Its edges can break
If you think
You have a heap of coal
And the fury of fire
Wait and look back
It is raining heavily
If you were a lion
Don’t devour all animals in the wild
Many are venomous
Don’t be power drunk
It kills at last.
Poet: Deola Adelakun
Briefs of the Poem
The poem warns against pride and power abuse. He shuts the doors at those that are full of themselves and spells out the consequences. the poet sees what anyone has as an advantage, not by power or might. Therefore, there is nothing anyone can be proud of.
The poet advises that people should not be money intoxicated and if we are in any position, we must not use that position to take advantage of others or cheat others or dominate them.
Pride is accompanied by disgrace if it has been a regular habit of people. Also, if you think you have more power and influence than others, you should not abuse it.
Power is shifting. The position is not forever. Remember, it is because you are in power or position today, that is why you are relevant. Once you leave the position if at all, you will be less reckoned with.
The poet warns proud people and power drunks to be careful because death can strike anybody at any time.
Theme
The theme refers to the central idea of any literary work. It is the message which the poet wants the readers to get from reading a literary work. The theme of pride and power warns the proud and the power drunks. The poet emphasizes the reason we have to be humble. We should be humble because pride is accompanied by fall.
Reward for pride
The poem portrays pride and the consequences of pride. The poet calls ate the nation to the proud that the result of the pride is a fall. Everything in life has a reward; so also the overuse or misuse of power and pride. The immediate reward for pride and misuse of power is disgrace while the remote reward for power misuse and pride is death. The poet advises us to check our attitudes and behaviors.
Power does not last
The poet calls the attention of the power drunks that no power lasts. If you are in power today, remember that you will leave the position of power one day. If also has power today, remember that death will claim your soul one day. Power is ephemeral and transient.
Pride is accompanied by disgrace
If you are proud, disgrace will follow. The poem warns against pride because the result that it will first bring is a disgrace and thereafter death. One thing that can ruin people is pride. This is because pride is accompanied by disgrace. It is an element that can ruin people. The poet advises us to do away with pride before it disgraces us.
The consequence of pride and power abuse is death.
The poet seriously warns against pride and power drunk and discloses that the consequence is death. The poet addresses pride as a factor that can cut lives short if care is not taken. The misuse of power and pride stands the chance to people’s lives.
Language and Poetic Devices
The essence of language and poetic devices in the poem is to enrich the poem. Also, the poet allows the researchers and readers to learn more and do a critical analysis of the work. Several languages and poetic devices of the poem have been developed. Read the poem and work on the languages and poetic devices.
Stanzas and lines
The poem has 21 lines with the arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables which has an effective rhythm.
Didactics
The poem is didactic as the poet composes it to instruct, impart knowledge and teach moral lessons. The poem teaches people to abstain from pride and power abuse.
Figures of Speech
The essence of figures of speech is to enrich the poem. Also, the poet allows the researchers and readers to learn more and do a critical analysis of the work. Several figures of speech in the poem have been developed. Read the poem and work on the languages and poetic devices.
Metaphor
The poet makes use of metaphor, comparing the two objects without the use of comparative words. Such as “You have a heap of coal” (line 13), “And the fury of fire” (line 14), “It is raining” (line16), “Many are venomous” (line 19)
Repetitions
The poet makes use of repetitions to emphasize certain messages such as “ If you” (lines 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 17),
Alliterations
The poet makes use of repetitions such as “…climb Kilimanjaro mountain” “sound k” alliterates (line 1), “And fury of fire” “f” alliterates (line 14), “Don’t devour all animals in the wild. “d” (line 18)
Word List and Meanings
Trample: Step heavily
Fury of fire: Burning angrily
Devour: Eat all quickly and greedily
Venomous: Poisonous
Practice Questions
1. The Kilimanjaro mountain is ______________________(a) the highest in the world (b) the highest mountain in Africa (c) the highest mountain in the continent (d) the highest mountain in Asia
2. The consequence of pride is ______________ (a) disgrace (b) fire (c) jail (d) beat
3. The poet warns against ___________________ (a) fury of fire (b) power abuse (c) cold (d) arrogance
4. The final consequence of misuse of power is ____________________(a) pleasantness (b) disease (c) weeping (d) death
5. What figurative expression is ‘A heap of coal’ ____________________ (a) simile (b) personification (c) metaphor (d) hyperbole
6. What is the advice of the poet? (a) We should abstain from pride. (b) We should be proud. (c) We should come to the normal level. (d) We should stand on the mountain.
Editors
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