AN AFRICAN THUNDERSTORM - David Rubadiri
Summary
Rubadiri’s poem captures the looming arrival of a fierce storm. The anticipation of its
arrival is both exciting and frightening. The wind is described as a mighty force,
unpredictable in its direction, and carrying with it ominous clouds. The strength of
the wind seems to suggest that worse is to follow once the storm hits.
The poem describes nature’s forces conspiring to bring this powerful storm, and then
narrows the focus to its effect on people in its path. The inhabitants of a village are
seen reacting to its approach, with the contrasting responses of children and
mothers.
The village is clearly vulnerable to the force of the storm. The poem ends with the
storm almost breaking overhead as the flashes of lightning and crack of thunder
arrive.
It is possible to interpret the poem as the effect of colonial domination
on the native land.
Stanza 1
Line 1
From the west
The storm originated in the west.
Line 2
Clouds come hurrying with the wind
The clouds are gathering very quickly. The frantic movement captures the build-up and
unpredictable nature of the storm.
Lines 3-4
Turning
sharply
The single-word lines emphasise the unpredictable nature of the wind. It was blowing in
different directions.
Line 5
Here and there
Emphasises the constantly changing direction of the wind. Implies that a powerful storm is
imminent.
Lines 6-7
Like a plague of locusts
Whirling,
Simile – the wind is compared to a plague of locusts. Just as a plague of locusts will cover
the entire area and cause a great deal of damage, so too does the wind. There is no escape
from the powerful winds. This emphasises the unrelenting force of the wind which comes
Page 1 of 5
, noisily and often in no discernible pattern (whirling).
Lines 8-9
Tossing up things on its tail
Like a madman chasing nothing.
Tossing up things – emphasises the destruction
Simile – the movement of the wind is compared to the movements of a madman. Just as a
person cannot make sense of the movements of a madman or predict his movement, the
direction of wind is not fixed. This emphasises the power of nature.
The storm is symbolic of the arrival of the Europeans who came from the
west. They colonised Africa very quickly. They could not understand or
predict the movement of the colonists. Their arrival caused a great upheaval
in the lives of the Black people.
Stanza 2
Lines 10-11
Pregnant clouds
Ride stately on its back,
Pregnant clouds – Personification. The clouds are compared to a pregnant lady. This
emphasises that a storm is about to start.
Ride stately on its back – metaphor: The clouds are compared to a person of royalty on a
horse. He will sit upright, full of dignity. Similarly, the clouds ride on the wind.
Irony – the wind has caused damage on the ground. The clouds are not affected by the
wind.
Lines 12-13
Gathering to perch on hills
Like sinister dark wings;
Personification of the clouds is extended in these lines.
Simile – the clouds are compared to birds of prey. Just as they come together to feast, so
too do the clouds. The birds are evil, menacing; the clouds are ominous – shows the
frightening nature of the clouds
Line 14
The wind whistles by
Onomatopoeia – the sound of the wind emphasises the force of the wind
Line 15
And trees bend to let it pass.
Personification – A person will bow somebody superior. Trees are associated with strength.
However, even the trees are bowing to the power of the wind.
Page 2 of 5
Summary
Rubadiri’s poem captures the looming arrival of a fierce storm. The anticipation of its
arrival is both exciting and frightening. The wind is described as a mighty force,
unpredictable in its direction, and carrying with it ominous clouds. The strength of
the wind seems to suggest that worse is to follow once the storm hits.
The poem describes nature’s forces conspiring to bring this powerful storm, and then
narrows the focus to its effect on people in its path. The inhabitants of a village are
seen reacting to its approach, with the contrasting responses of children and
mothers.
The village is clearly vulnerable to the force of the storm. The poem ends with the
storm almost breaking overhead as the flashes of lightning and crack of thunder
arrive.
It is possible to interpret the poem as the effect of colonial domination
on the native land.
Stanza 1
Line 1
From the west
The storm originated in the west.
Line 2
Clouds come hurrying with the wind
The clouds are gathering very quickly. The frantic movement captures the build-up and
unpredictable nature of the storm.
Lines 3-4
Turning
sharply
The single-word lines emphasise the unpredictable nature of the wind. It was blowing in
different directions.
Line 5
Here and there
Emphasises the constantly changing direction of the wind. Implies that a powerful storm is
imminent.
Lines 6-7
Like a plague of locusts
Whirling,
Simile – the wind is compared to a plague of locusts. Just as a plague of locusts will cover
the entire area and cause a great deal of damage, so too does the wind. There is no escape
from the powerful winds. This emphasises the unrelenting force of the wind which comes
Page 1 of 5
, noisily and often in no discernible pattern (whirling).
Lines 8-9
Tossing up things on its tail
Like a madman chasing nothing.
Tossing up things – emphasises the destruction
Simile – the movement of the wind is compared to the movements of a madman. Just as a
person cannot make sense of the movements of a madman or predict his movement, the
direction of wind is not fixed. This emphasises the power of nature.
The storm is symbolic of the arrival of the Europeans who came from the
west. They colonised Africa very quickly. They could not understand or
predict the movement of the colonists. Their arrival caused a great upheaval
in the lives of the Black people.
Stanza 2
Lines 10-11
Pregnant clouds
Ride stately on its back,
Pregnant clouds – Personification. The clouds are compared to a pregnant lady. This
emphasises that a storm is about to start.
Ride stately on its back – metaphor: The clouds are compared to a person of royalty on a
horse. He will sit upright, full of dignity. Similarly, the clouds ride on the wind.
Irony – the wind has caused damage on the ground. The clouds are not affected by the
wind.
Lines 12-13
Gathering to perch on hills
Like sinister dark wings;
Personification of the clouds is extended in these lines.
Simile – the clouds are compared to birds of prey. Just as they come together to feast, so
too do the clouds. The birds are evil, menacing; the clouds are ominous – shows the
frightening nature of the clouds
Line 14
The wind whistles by
Onomatopoeia – the sound of the wind emphasises the force of the wind
Line 15
And trees bend to let it pass.
Personification – A person will bow somebody superior. Trees are associated with strength.
However, even the trees are bowing to the power of the wind.
Page 2 of 5
