Questions : Namaqualand after Rain
18 questions and answers of the poem Namaqualand after Rain.
Namaqualand after Rain By William Plomer(1903-1973)
Again the veld revives,
Imbued with lyric rains,
And sap re-sweetening dry stalks
Perfumes the quickening plains;
Small roots explode in strings of stars,
Each bulb gives up its dream,
Honey drips from orchid throats,
Jewels each raceme;
The desert sighs at dawn –
As in another hemisphere
The temple lotus breaks her buds.
On the attentive air –
A frou-frou of new flowers,
Puff of unruffling petals,
While rods of sunlight strike pure streams
From rocks beveined with metals;
Far in the gaunt karroo
That winter earth denudes,
Ironstone caves give back the burr
Of lambs in multitudes;
1
, Grass waves again where drought
Bleached every upland kraal,
A peach-tree shoots along the wind
Pink volleys through a broken wall,
And willows growing round the dam
May now be seen
With all their traceries of twigs
Just hesitating to be green,
Soon to be hung with colonies
All swaying with the leaves
Of pendent wicker love-nests
The pretty loxia weaves
Questions :
1. Explain why the theme of the poem can be considered as blissful and calming
imagery. Provide reasons for your answer
2. Comment on the effectiveness of th3 parts of speech used in Stanza 5 the
juxtaposition and onomatopoeia used.
3. Comment on the choice of word used in the poem that emphasizes that the poet
admires nature.
4. Explain hoe the diction portrays the rain. Provide a reason for your answer.
5. Explain the effectiveness od the synecdoche in Stanza 8.
6. Comment on 2 figures speech which conveys the theme od the poem.
7. What is the central theme or message conveyed in the poem “Namaqualand after
Rain” by William Plomer?
8. How does the poet describe the transformation of the landscape after the rain in
Namaqualand?
9. What are some of the specific natural elements that come to life as a result of the
rain?
10. How does the poet use imagery to depict the rejuvenation of the veld and the
surrounding environment?
11. What is the significance of the reference to the temple lotus breaking her buds in
another hemisphere?
12. How does the poet portray the emergence of new flowers and their delicate beauty?
2
18 questions and answers of the poem Namaqualand after Rain.
Namaqualand after Rain By William Plomer(1903-1973)
Again the veld revives,
Imbued with lyric rains,
And sap re-sweetening dry stalks
Perfumes the quickening plains;
Small roots explode in strings of stars,
Each bulb gives up its dream,
Honey drips from orchid throats,
Jewels each raceme;
The desert sighs at dawn –
As in another hemisphere
The temple lotus breaks her buds.
On the attentive air –
A frou-frou of new flowers,
Puff of unruffling petals,
While rods of sunlight strike pure streams
From rocks beveined with metals;
Far in the gaunt karroo
That winter earth denudes,
Ironstone caves give back the burr
Of lambs in multitudes;
1
, Grass waves again where drought
Bleached every upland kraal,
A peach-tree shoots along the wind
Pink volleys through a broken wall,
And willows growing round the dam
May now be seen
With all their traceries of twigs
Just hesitating to be green,
Soon to be hung with colonies
All swaying with the leaves
Of pendent wicker love-nests
The pretty loxia weaves
Questions :
1. Explain why the theme of the poem can be considered as blissful and calming
imagery. Provide reasons for your answer
2. Comment on the effectiveness of th3 parts of speech used in Stanza 5 the
juxtaposition and onomatopoeia used.
3. Comment on the choice of word used in the poem that emphasizes that the poet
admires nature.
4. Explain hoe the diction portrays the rain. Provide a reason for your answer.
5. Explain the effectiveness od the synecdoche in Stanza 8.
6. Comment on 2 figures speech which conveys the theme od the poem.
7. What is the central theme or message conveyed in the poem “Namaqualand after
Rain” by William Plomer?
8. How does the poet describe the transformation of the landscape after the rain in
Namaqualand?
9. What are some of the specific natural elements that come to life as a result of the
rain?
10. How does the poet use imagery to depict the rejuvenation of the veld and the
surrounding environment?
11. What is the significance of the reference to the temple lotus breaking her buds in
another hemisphere?
12. How does the poet portray the emergence of new flowers and their delicate beauty?
2
