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TOMORROW’S DAUGHTERS – Lebogang Mashile
Tomorrow’s Daughters by Lebogang Mashile is a powerful and evocative poem
that celebrates women’s strength, resilience, and the legacy they pass on to
future generations. Mashile, a South African poet and performer, uses vivid
imagery and emotional depth to highlight themes of identity, transformation, and
hope.
Themes:
Empowerment of Women The poem speaks of the struggles and triumphs of women,
emphasizing their capacity to rise above challenges and
pave the way for future generations.
It portrays women as carriers of wisdom, strength, and
change.
@Juffrou_Ansie
, 2
Legacy and Continuity Mashile reflects on how today’s women shape the lives of
tomorrow’s daughters, leaving behind a legacy of courage,
love, and resilience.
This connection underscores the intergenerational nature
of struggle and triumph.
Healing and Rebirth The poem also suggests healing from past wounds,
whether personal, cultural, or historical, and creating a
brighter, more inclusive future.
Cultural and Personal Mashile’s work often celebrates her South African heritage
Identity and African identity, weaving this into the broader human
experience.
In Tomorrow’s Daughters, this focus is evident in the pride
and hope for future African women.
Imagery:
Nature as a Mashile often uses images from nature, such as flowers, roots, or trees,
Symbol of to symbolize growth, strength, and intergenerational connections.
Growth and These natural elements reflect how women nurture life, heal, and
Resilience sustain communities.
Example: Roots may represent heritage and grounding, while blooming
flowers could signify the blossoming potential of future generations.
Body as a The poem frequently uses the human body—especially the female
Canvas of form—as a metaphor for personal and collective experience. Through
History this imagery, Mashile highlights how women’s bodies carry both the
scars of oppression and the power of creation and renewal.
Interpretation: A body described with scars might symbolize
resilience, while arms stretched wide could signify embracing change
or nurturing others.
Light and Light imagery often conveys hope and the promise of a brighter future
Shadow for tomorrow’s daughters. Shadows, on the other hand, might suggest
the challenges and histories that these daughters are working to
overcome.
Impact: This contrast creates a dynamic tension, emphasizing the
transition from past struggles to future possibilities.
@Juffrou_Ansie
, 3
Cultural and Mashile frequently draws on African cultural imagery to root her
Ancestral message in a specific context. This might include references to
References traditional practices, symbols of strength like mountains, or the rhythm
of life embodied in dance and song.
Significance: These images honor the legacy of African women while
inspiring a sense of pride and identity.
Transformation Imagery of cycles—such as the rising sun, seasons, or waves—
and Rebirth represents renewal and progress. This reflects Mashile’s belief in the
evolving power of women and their ability to change the future.
Emotional Effect: These images inspire optimism and remind readers
of the unstoppable nature of growth and change.
Why is the poet referring to Emily Dickinson?
The tone of the poem is
Lebogang Mashile refers to Emily Dickinson in Tomorrow’s
powerful and full of hope.
Daughters because Dickinson represents a powerful example
The poet strongly urges
of a woman who used her writing to express deep thoughts
women, especially women
and emotions, even in the face of isolation and societal
of colour, to exert their
constraints. Mashile draws parallels between Dickinson’s life
independence and soar high
as a reclusive poet and the struggles of modern black women
in the free sky without any
finding their voices in a world that often silences or
fetters holding them back.
undervalues them.
Who was Emily
Dickinson?
The poem is written in free- verse,
Emily Dickinson (1830–
without any specific rhyme scheme.
1886) was an American
The idea of freedom in the content of
poet known for her
the poem is also embodied in its form.
unique and highly
As is seen in most of her poems, there
introspective style. She
is hardly any use of punctuation in this
wrote nearly 1,800
one as well. The language used is
poems, but only a few
simple and easy to understand but
were published during
through her thoughtful choice of
her lifetime.
words, Mashile manages to make an
impact.
@Juffrou_Ansie
, 4
These are young/pretty black girls who refuse to conform to
society/history by standing up for positive change.
These are young/pretty black girls who refuse to conform to
society/history by standing up for positive change.
The phrase praises independent and strong-willed women who are
able to protest in a dignified way, creating
change without being hostile. The oxymoron of “silent screamers” is
appropriate as the speaker respects a quiet
storm approach to revolution.
Comment critically on the poet’s repetition of the phrase “pretty
black girls” in the poem.
The poet aims to show that “pretty black girls” can find a place in
society where they are not neglected nor exploited
She wishes for them to be respected for their “hearts” and “eyes
blaring”, rather than being objects of beauty or sex
If they are to wear crowns or pageant titles, then they should be
“crowns of change” and equality.
@Juffrou_Ansie
TOMORROW’S DAUGHTERS – Lebogang Mashile
Tomorrow’s Daughters by Lebogang Mashile is a powerful and evocative poem
that celebrates women’s strength, resilience, and the legacy they pass on to
future generations. Mashile, a South African poet and performer, uses vivid
imagery and emotional depth to highlight themes of identity, transformation, and
hope.
Themes:
Empowerment of Women The poem speaks of the struggles and triumphs of women,
emphasizing their capacity to rise above challenges and
pave the way for future generations.
It portrays women as carriers of wisdom, strength, and
change.
@Juffrou_Ansie
, 2
Legacy and Continuity Mashile reflects on how today’s women shape the lives of
tomorrow’s daughters, leaving behind a legacy of courage,
love, and resilience.
This connection underscores the intergenerational nature
of struggle and triumph.
Healing and Rebirth The poem also suggests healing from past wounds,
whether personal, cultural, or historical, and creating a
brighter, more inclusive future.
Cultural and Personal Mashile’s work often celebrates her South African heritage
Identity and African identity, weaving this into the broader human
experience.
In Tomorrow’s Daughters, this focus is evident in the pride
and hope for future African women.
Imagery:
Nature as a Mashile often uses images from nature, such as flowers, roots, or trees,
Symbol of to symbolize growth, strength, and intergenerational connections.
Growth and These natural elements reflect how women nurture life, heal, and
Resilience sustain communities.
Example: Roots may represent heritage and grounding, while blooming
flowers could signify the blossoming potential of future generations.
Body as a The poem frequently uses the human body—especially the female
Canvas of form—as a metaphor for personal and collective experience. Through
History this imagery, Mashile highlights how women’s bodies carry both the
scars of oppression and the power of creation and renewal.
Interpretation: A body described with scars might symbolize
resilience, while arms stretched wide could signify embracing change
or nurturing others.
Light and Light imagery often conveys hope and the promise of a brighter future
Shadow for tomorrow’s daughters. Shadows, on the other hand, might suggest
the challenges and histories that these daughters are working to
overcome.
Impact: This contrast creates a dynamic tension, emphasizing the
transition from past struggles to future possibilities.
@Juffrou_Ansie
, 3
Cultural and Mashile frequently draws on African cultural imagery to root her
Ancestral message in a specific context. This might include references to
References traditional practices, symbols of strength like mountains, or the rhythm
of life embodied in dance and song.
Significance: These images honor the legacy of African women while
inspiring a sense of pride and identity.
Transformation Imagery of cycles—such as the rising sun, seasons, or waves—
and Rebirth represents renewal and progress. This reflects Mashile’s belief in the
evolving power of women and their ability to change the future.
Emotional Effect: These images inspire optimism and remind readers
of the unstoppable nature of growth and change.
Why is the poet referring to Emily Dickinson?
The tone of the poem is
Lebogang Mashile refers to Emily Dickinson in Tomorrow’s
powerful and full of hope.
Daughters because Dickinson represents a powerful example
The poet strongly urges
of a woman who used her writing to express deep thoughts
women, especially women
and emotions, even in the face of isolation and societal
of colour, to exert their
constraints. Mashile draws parallels between Dickinson’s life
independence and soar high
as a reclusive poet and the struggles of modern black women
in the free sky without any
finding their voices in a world that often silences or
fetters holding them back.
undervalues them.
Who was Emily
Dickinson?
The poem is written in free- verse,
Emily Dickinson (1830–
without any specific rhyme scheme.
1886) was an American
The idea of freedom in the content of
poet known for her
the poem is also embodied in its form.
unique and highly
As is seen in most of her poems, there
introspective style. She
is hardly any use of punctuation in this
wrote nearly 1,800
one as well. The language used is
poems, but only a few
simple and easy to understand but
were published during
through her thoughtful choice of
her lifetime.
words, Mashile manages to make an
impact.
@Juffrou_Ansie
, 4
These are young/pretty black girls who refuse to conform to
society/history by standing up for positive change.
These are young/pretty black girls who refuse to conform to
society/history by standing up for positive change.
The phrase praises independent and strong-willed women who are
able to protest in a dignified way, creating
change without being hostile. The oxymoron of “silent screamers” is
appropriate as the speaker respects a quiet
storm approach to revolution.
Comment critically on the poet’s repetition of the phrase “pretty
black girls” in the poem.
The poet aims to show that “pretty black girls” can find a place in
society where they are not neglected nor exploited
She wishes for them to be respected for their “hearts” and “eyes
blaring”, rather than being objects of beauty or sex
If they are to wear crowns or pageant titles, then they should be
“crowns of change” and equality.
@Juffrou_Ansie
