AFL - Construction of Corruption - Poetry Lesson

Construction of Corruption - Poetry

Before other countries looked at Africa as a land of resources, the people of Africa lived with their own internal problems resulting from the typical issues over land and who ruled the various areas. Therefore, corruption was not completely apparent in early Africa. However, it would not take long for corruption to infiltrate Africa from European countries in the form of imperialism and slavery.

In the following works, note how the first works of literature promoted the Oral Tradition without the themes of corruption. Then, as time passes, the theme of corruption in Africa appears in the works of literature.

Remember to use the Genre Term Reference Sheet in the sidebar when needing assistance in remembering a certain term associated with a particular genre

Poetry

The beginning of African literature features many forms of Oral literature. The Oral tradition consists of stories that are passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth. Praise poems, Epic poetry, and Proverbs among others fall into the category of African poetry.

Poetry Analysis

For a review of the TPCASTT method, open and print the documents labeled TPCASTT1 and TPCASTT2 in the sidebar if you did not do so in the previous unit. These will be used throughout the unit to help you analyze poetry.

Reading Assignment: "Great Hymn to Aten:

African Praise Poems were a part of the oral tradition and elevated certain people or things. These poems proclaim the glorious attributes of a person or a god in African culture. Click here to r Links to an external site.ead the Praise Poem, called "Great Hymn to Aten." Links to an external site.  Note the epithets, the adjective or descriptive phrase expressing a quality characteristic of the person or thing mentioned, the speaker uses. When you finish reading the poem, practice analyzing "Great Hymn to Aten" using the TPCASTT method.

Praise Poem Interactivity

After you TPCASTT the poem and have gained a deeper understanding of the theme of "Great Hymn to Aten," practice your understanding of various poetic devices. Determine if the line of poetry is a type of personification, alliteration, metaphor, or epithet.

Reading Assignment: African Proverbs

African proverbs are short popular sayings, usually of unknown and ancient origin, that express some commonplace truth or useful thought and are poetic in nature. The proverbs are little pieces of wisdom that ancestors pass down to future generations. Because these proverbs were a part of the oral tradition, the lessons could easily be remembered due to the short phrasing. Click here to read the African Proverbs. Links to an external site.

African Proverbs Interactivity

Now, you will practice interpreting the various African Proverbs. Match the African proverb to the interpreted meaning.

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