The tenant
By Na Ncube
,Contents
Tone................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Mood................................................................................................................................................................. 3
Structure............................................................................................................................................................ 3
Message............................................................................................................................................................. 3
Analysis line by line............................................................................................................................................ 3
16 Questions...................................................................................................................................................... 6
Answers............................................................................................................................................................. 7
Page 1 of 10
, The Tenant by Na Ncube
1. There is no room for you extended metahphor
in my heart. The only tenant enjambment
who ever lived there left alliteration
some luggage behind
2. I didn’t evict her. She the distance between the pronouns
simply left without a word
3. I keep hoping she will come
back and collect the luggage
or at least arrange for disposal Heart=house
clean out the place, throw out Exlover=baggage
old memories Tone and mood
4. I could possibly live with
the marks on the wall. Some
are completely indelible
some I even like
5. But you see I am afraid but= shift
if it all goes, what will I do alliteration
with all that empty space
Page 2 of 10
, Tone
The tone of the poem "Tenant" by Na Ncube is characterized by a sense of longing, regret, and uncertainty.
The speaker's words reflect a mixture of resignation and a desire for closure, creating a melancholic tone
throughout the poem.
Mood
The mood of the poem oscillates between hopefulness and emptiness. The speaker hopes for the return of
the previous tenant to resolve the unresolved baggage left behind, but also expresses a fear of facing the
emptiness and loneliness that would come with completely letting go.
Structure
The poem consists of four stanzas with varying line lengths. The first stanza introduces the idea of the tenant
leaving behind luggage. The second stanza explains that the speaker did not evict the tenant, and the third
stanza expresses the speaker's hope for the tenant's return or the disposal of the luggage. The final stanza
contemplates the implications of having an empty space if everything is cleared away.
Message
The poem explores themes of loss, attachment, and the fear of emptiness. The message conveyed is that the
speaker's heart is still occupied by the memories and remnants of the previous tenant. The luggage left
behind represents emotional baggage and unresolved feelings. The speaker longs for closure and a fresh start
but is also afraid of facing the unknown that would come with letting go completely. The poem raises
questions about the emptiness that would follow the removal of past memories and whether the speaker can
find a way to fill that space with something new and meaningful.
Analysis line by line
Line Analysis
Title :The Tenant Owner of the heart
A person that occupies land or property
The title "Tenant" suggests a focus on the concept of occupancy and
metaphorical implications.
It hints at the idea of someone who has resided in the speaker's heart and left an
impact.
The title indicates that the poem explores themes of relationships, emotional
attachment, and the lingering effects of someone's presence or absence.
Page 3 of 10
By Na Ncube
,Contents
Tone................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Mood................................................................................................................................................................. 3
Structure............................................................................................................................................................ 3
Message............................................................................................................................................................. 3
Analysis line by line............................................................................................................................................ 3
16 Questions...................................................................................................................................................... 6
Answers............................................................................................................................................................. 7
Page 1 of 10
, The Tenant by Na Ncube
1. There is no room for you extended metahphor
in my heart. The only tenant enjambment
who ever lived there left alliteration
some luggage behind
2. I didn’t evict her. She the distance between the pronouns
simply left without a word
3. I keep hoping she will come
back and collect the luggage
or at least arrange for disposal Heart=house
clean out the place, throw out Exlover=baggage
old memories Tone and mood
4. I could possibly live with
the marks on the wall. Some
are completely indelible
some I even like
5. But you see I am afraid but= shift
if it all goes, what will I do alliteration
with all that empty space
Page 2 of 10
, Tone
The tone of the poem "Tenant" by Na Ncube is characterized by a sense of longing, regret, and uncertainty.
The speaker's words reflect a mixture of resignation and a desire for closure, creating a melancholic tone
throughout the poem.
Mood
The mood of the poem oscillates between hopefulness and emptiness. The speaker hopes for the return of
the previous tenant to resolve the unresolved baggage left behind, but also expresses a fear of facing the
emptiness and loneliness that would come with completely letting go.
Structure
The poem consists of four stanzas with varying line lengths. The first stanza introduces the idea of the tenant
leaving behind luggage. The second stanza explains that the speaker did not evict the tenant, and the third
stanza expresses the speaker's hope for the tenant's return or the disposal of the luggage. The final stanza
contemplates the implications of having an empty space if everything is cleared away.
Message
The poem explores themes of loss, attachment, and the fear of emptiness. The message conveyed is that the
speaker's heart is still occupied by the memories and remnants of the previous tenant. The luggage left
behind represents emotional baggage and unresolved feelings. The speaker longs for closure and a fresh start
but is also afraid of facing the unknown that would come with letting go completely. The poem raises
questions about the emptiness that would follow the removal of past memories and whether the speaker can
find a way to fill that space with something new and meaningful.
Analysis line by line
Line Analysis
Title :The Tenant Owner of the heart
A person that occupies land or property
The title "Tenant" suggests a focus on the concept of occupancy and
metaphorical implications.
It hints at the idea of someone who has resided in the speaker's heart and left an
impact.
The title indicates that the poem explores themes of relationships, emotional
attachment, and the lingering effects of someone's presence or absence.
Page 3 of 10
