Summary History Theme 6: The end of the Cold War

English Poetry: Namaqualand after rain

Biographical information: William Plomer

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Meaning and Message

 We are reminded that life finds a way to survive and renew itself even in the harshest
conditions
 Looking at the annual transformation of the arid, 'semi-desert' of Namaqualand into a
blanket of flowers
 The appreciation of South Africa's natural beauty and 'awe inspiring' scenery and wildlife




Title
 Namaqualand translates to land of the khoi khoi (native tribe in South Africa)
 A desert region in the north west of South Africa and south west Namibia
 Extends 1000 kms along the West coast of South Africa
 For most of the year it is an arid, barren desert but rains in July/August brings
flowers
 The rain is a catalyst for growth/new life/relief
 The title established place and time
 Reinforces the main message
 Celebration of beauty and rejuvenating power of nature
 Symbolic of rebirth and end of period of drought/harsh conditions


Stanza 1
Alliteration:

 Shows how full the earth is of rain

Lines 1:

 "again": Underlines a dramatic statement or opening, the event has happened before
 The land is being brought back to life

Lines 2:

 "Imbued" : to saturate
 "lyric": Its light, beautiful, sweet, calm, melodic, pleasant, flowing
 The rain has soaked into the soil and changed the environment completely

, Lines 3:

 "re-": again
 "sap": life giving
 The fluid that circulates the plants vascular system transporting
glucose/sugar/nutrients to the plants (fuel for growth)
 The extreme transformation of nature that the rains bring

Lines 4:

 "quickening": refers to the first time one can feel a baby moves
 Rain brings the first signs of life

Stanza:

 The landscape feels alive from the rain
 The land is pregnant with possibilities


Stanza 2


Lines 5:

 Shift in perspective (bigger landscape to small roots in the ground)
 "explode": Intensity, bursts of activity in the way that the roots spread
 "String of stars": image of plenitude/infinite/spread in every direction
(Comparison/metaphor)
 Alliteration:
 Conjures images of strings of twinkling lights
 Joy/happiness/ the roots are glistening with water

Lines 6:

 "bulb": Bulbs have been dormant
 Must stop dreaming and awaken/come to life
 Preciousness blooming and sharing itself with the word

Lines 7:

 The sticky, sugar sap that leaks from flowers as they blossom
 We see the image of transformation from bulbs to flowers

Lines 8:

 "raceme": Group of flowers attached to a stem
 Blossom into honey coloured jewel-like droplets
 Precious