Lizè-Meri Hayes
Student Number: 55195172
Subject: ENG 1501
ASSIGNMENT 01
Unique Number: 650089
, 1. Refer to stanza 1.
1.1 Johannesburg’s nickname is ‘the city of gold’. What does the
speaker mean when he refers to the gold as ‘judas’ (line 2)? (1)
The City of Johannesburg is known as the city of gold. In line 2 the poet says that the
city is “paved with judas gold”. By metaphorically comparing the gold to Judas, we can
see that the city of Johannesburg is not what it seems.
● “Paved with gold” is an idiom. The meaning of the idiom is that it is easy to
become prosperous.
● ‘judas’ is a biblical reference that the poet is using to paint a clear picture of what
Johannesburg is really like.
● The city is full of fraud.
● We can clearly see that the poet feels betrayed by the city.
1.2 How do lines 3-4 support your answer in 1.1? (1)
Judas was known for his deceit towards Jesus. He manipulated Jesus and thus the
comparison of the gold and Judas creates an image of how the city of Johannesburg is
full of lies, manipulation and deceit. (Supported by line 3)
2. Refer to stanzas 2 and 3.
2.1 Discuss the imagery in stanza 2 by identifying at least one
metaphor and explaining what it means. (2)
• One mark for correctly identifying one metaphor (explaining what is being compared to what) ✓
• One mark for correctly explaining how the metaphor contributes to the meaning of the stanza ✓
In line 5-6, we can see that the poet is describing the traffic and how it flows through the
streets, like blood flows through veins. This is a metaphor.
Student Number: 55195172
Subject: ENG 1501
ASSIGNMENT 01
Unique Number: 650089
, 1. Refer to stanza 1.
1.1 Johannesburg’s nickname is ‘the city of gold’. What does the
speaker mean when he refers to the gold as ‘judas’ (line 2)? (1)
The City of Johannesburg is known as the city of gold. In line 2 the poet says that the
city is “paved with judas gold”. By metaphorically comparing the gold to Judas, we can
see that the city of Johannesburg is not what it seems.
● “Paved with gold” is an idiom. The meaning of the idiom is that it is easy to
become prosperous.
● ‘judas’ is a biblical reference that the poet is using to paint a clear picture of what
Johannesburg is really like.
● The city is full of fraud.
● We can clearly see that the poet feels betrayed by the city.
1.2 How do lines 3-4 support your answer in 1.1? (1)
Judas was known for his deceit towards Jesus. He manipulated Jesus and thus the
comparison of the gold and Judas creates an image of how the city of Johannesburg is
full of lies, manipulation and deceit. (Supported by line 3)
2. Refer to stanzas 2 and 3.
2.1 Discuss the imagery in stanza 2 by identifying at least one
metaphor and explaining what it means. (2)
• One mark for correctly identifying one metaphor (explaining what is being compared to what) ✓
• One mark for correctly explaining how the metaphor contributes to the meaning of the stanza ✓
In line 5-6, we can see that the poet is describing the traffic and how it flows through the
streets, like blood flows through veins. This is a metaphor.
