FULL NAMES:
STUDENT NUMBER:
MODULE CODE: AFL2603
MODULE NAME: LITERATURE AND SOCIETY A
PERSPECTIVE ON AFRICAN LITERATURE
ASSIGNMENT: 20 (ENGLISH)
SEMESTER 1_2025
, QUESTION 1: POETRY (CONTEXTUAL QUESTIONS) - THE SHIPWRECK by Emily
Dickinson
1.1 Identify and explain the mood in line 1. (3 Marks)
The mood in line 1 is joyful yet ironic. The exclamation “Glee!” suggests excitement and
relief as the storm has ended. However, this happiness is unsettling because it
contrasts with the tragic loss of life mentioned in the next lines. The poet sets up a
moment of celebration while subtly hinting at the sorrow that follows, making the mood
bitter-sweet and ironic.
1.2 Refer to line 7: 'Neighbour and friend and bridegroom'. Explain why the
victims of the shipwreck are described in this manner. (3 Marks)
The victims are described as “Neighbour and friend and bridegroom” to emphasize that
those who died were ordinary people, deeply connected to their communities. This
phrasing makes the tragedy more personal, showing that the loss affects everyone—not
just faceless strangers but loved ones with meaningful relationships. Listing different
roles, the poet highlights how the disaster touches families, friendships, and even future
marriages, deepening the sense of loss.
1.3 Refer to lines 3–4: 'Forty gone down together/Into the boiling sand.'
1.3.1 Identify the figure of speech used in these lines. (2 Marks)
The figure of speech used here is personification and metaphor. The phrase “boiling
sand” gives the ocean or seabed human characteristics, suggesting turmoil and
destruction. It metaphorically represents the chaotic and violent nature of the shipwreck.
1.3.2 Comment on the effectiveness of this image. (3 Marks)
This image is effective because it conveys the horror and violence of the event. “Boiling
sand” evokes a sense of extreme heat, movement, and danger, making it feel as if the
sea is consuming the victims in a harsh and merciless way. The choice of words creates
a vivid mental picture of the shipwreck, making the tragedy more tangible and intense
for the reader.
STUDENT NUMBER:
MODULE CODE: AFL2603
MODULE NAME: LITERATURE AND SOCIETY A
PERSPECTIVE ON AFRICAN LITERATURE
ASSIGNMENT: 20 (ENGLISH)
SEMESTER 1_2025
, QUESTION 1: POETRY (CONTEXTUAL QUESTIONS) - THE SHIPWRECK by Emily
Dickinson
1.1 Identify and explain the mood in line 1. (3 Marks)
The mood in line 1 is joyful yet ironic. The exclamation “Glee!” suggests excitement and
relief as the storm has ended. However, this happiness is unsettling because it
contrasts with the tragic loss of life mentioned in the next lines. The poet sets up a
moment of celebration while subtly hinting at the sorrow that follows, making the mood
bitter-sweet and ironic.
1.2 Refer to line 7: 'Neighbour and friend and bridegroom'. Explain why the
victims of the shipwreck are described in this manner. (3 Marks)
The victims are described as “Neighbour and friend and bridegroom” to emphasize that
those who died were ordinary people, deeply connected to their communities. This
phrasing makes the tragedy more personal, showing that the loss affects everyone—not
just faceless strangers but loved ones with meaningful relationships. Listing different
roles, the poet highlights how the disaster touches families, friendships, and even future
marriages, deepening the sense of loss.
1.3 Refer to lines 3–4: 'Forty gone down together/Into the boiling sand.'
1.3.1 Identify the figure of speech used in these lines. (2 Marks)
The figure of speech used here is personification and metaphor. The phrase “boiling
sand” gives the ocean or seabed human characteristics, suggesting turmoil and
destruction. It metaphorically represents the chaotic and violent nature of the shipwreck.
1.3.2 Comment on the effectiveness of this image. (3 Marks)
This image is effective because it conveys the horror and violence of the event. “Boiling
sand” evokes a sense of extreme heat, movement, and danger, making it feel as if the
sea is consuming the victims in a harsh and merciless way. The choice of words creates
a vivid mental picture of the shipwreck, making the tragedy more tangible and intense
for the reader.
