TOUCH – Hugh Lewin (1939-2019)
Biographical information:
SA Anti-Apartheid Activist
Was imprisoned for 7 years for ‘protest sabotage’ at the age of 24 from 1965-1971.
White resistance
Kept a secret prison diary written between the lines of a bible
Writing was his release. It was cathartic. His form of protest.
In prison, touch was forbidden but prisoners were beaten and searched 4X day.
After release he went into exile until 1993. He then returned and worked in the TRC
(truth and reconciliations commision0
(healing process)
Died in Jan 2019
Meaning/Message:
What it means to be humane (caring about humanity)
By writing the poem, he found a voice – the power of writing to heal
What does a prison system suggest about a nation?
Imagery/ Figures of speech/ Diction:
Wordplay of ‘touch’
Animalistic imagery & violence: eg paws. Fists
Use of ‘I’ – his personal strength
Structure:
Irregular, fragmented: free verse: chaos and panic of prison
Lots of enjambment: ongoing beatings but also ongoing hope
Very short lines and indentations – he is still uncertain (uncertainty) and building up
a sense of voice/ identity (relates to the context)
Stop-start/ staccato – rhythm (ongoing beating/ continuity)
Tone/mood:
• Despairing/ painful but also hopeful and brave
, Touch
Title: for the majority touch has connotations of
- Pleasure Prison shifts/contradicts
- Gentle these connotations.
- Desirable
The poem portrays touch as discomforting:
this connects to the biographical info.
How is this discomfort created?
- No luxuries and crowded facilities
- Daily frisking and searching (aggression becomes sexual)
Stanza 1
When I get out
‘when’: subordinating conjunction – sets up the expectation for later
‘I get out’ – 7 years in prison ( political prisoner in Pretoria Central Prison)
I'm going to ask someone
‘Someone’- not = prison guard
=family member/loved one etc
to touch me
‘to touch me’ – NB. First time introduced
Something desired/soft/consensual/gentle
very gently please
‘very’= vulnerable
Emphasises the trauma/the pain of the past
gentle= tender (love/softness/care)
and slowly,
‘slowly’- properly/ everlasting/ cautious/ careful
touch me
repetition emphasises the desire
I want
‘I want’- on its own line
Personal agency (autonomy) – taken away in prison
Biographical information:
SA Anti-Apartheid Activist
Was imprisoned for 7 years for ‘protest sabotage’ at the age of 24 from 1965-1971.
White resistance
Kept a secret prison diary written between the lines of a bible
Writing was his release. It was cathartic. His form of protest.
In prison, touch was forbidden but prisoners were beaten and searched 4X day.
After release he went into exile until 1993. He then returned and worked in the TRC
(truth and reconciliations commision0
(healing process)
Died in Jan 2019
Meaning/Message:
What it means to be humane (caring about humanity)
By writing the poem, he found a voice – the power of writing to heal
What does a prison system suggest about a nation?
Imagery/ Figures of speech/ Diction:
Wordplay of ‘touch’
Animalistic imagery & violence: eg paws. Fists
Use of ‘I’ – his personal strength
Structure:
Irregular, fragmented: free verse: chaos and panic of prison
Lots of enjambment: ongoing beatings but also ongoing hope
Very short lines and indentations – he is still uncertain (uncertainty) and building up
a sense of voice/ identity (relates to the context)
Stop-start/ staccato – rhythm (ongoing beating/ continuity)
Tone/mood:
• Despairing/ painful but also hopeful and brave
, Touch
Title: for the majority touch has connotations of
- Pleasure Prison shifts/contradicts
- Gentle these connotations.
- Desirable
The poem portrays touch as discomforting:
this connects to the biographical info.
How is this discomfort created?
- No luxuries and crowded facilities
- Daily frisking and searching (aggression becomes sexual)
Stanza 1
When I get out
‘when’: subordinating conjunction – sets up the expectation for later
‘I get out’ – 7 years in prison ( political prisoner in Pretoria Central Prison)
I'm going to ask someone
‘Someone’- not = prison guard
=family member/loved one etc
to touch me
‘to touch me’ – NB. First time introduced
Something desired/soft/consensual/gentle
very gently please
‘very’= vulnerable
Emphasises the trauma/the pain of the past
gentle= tender (love/softness/care)
and slowly,
‘slowly’- properly/ everlasting/ cautious/ careful
touch me
repetition emphasises the desire
I want
‘I want’- on its own line
Personal agency (autonomy) – taken away in prison
