IJMB 2025 LITERATURE PAPER III QUESTIONS
IJMB 2025 LITERATURE PAPER III QUESTIONS BELOW
IJMB 2025 LITERATURE PAPER III SOLUTIONS BELOW
*SECTION B: NON-AFRICAN POETRY.*
WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS: SELECTED POEMS
(2) William Butler Yeats was deeply fascinated with “beautiful lofty things,” which he often explored in his poetry. This fascination can be seen in four of his poems: “The Wind,” “The Stolen Child,” “The Song of the Old Harp,” and “The Second Coming.”
In “The Wind,” Yeats describes the wind as a “wild, formless, free” force that moves through the world, embodying the beauty and power of nature. The wind is a lofty thing that transcends human understanding and inspires awe in the poet.
In “The Stolen Child,” Yeats describes a child who is lured away from the world of humans and into a world of fairies and magic. This world is a beautiful and lofty place, full of wonder and mystery, that captivates the child’s imagination.
In “The Song of the Old Harp,” Yeats reflects on the power of music to evoke emotions and transport the listener to a higher plane of existence. The harp is a lofty instrument that can evoke the deepest emotions and inspire the greatest admiration.
In “The Second Coming,” Yeats describes the end of the world and the rise of a new age. This poem is filled with lofty imagery, including the image of a phoenix rising from the ashes, symbolizing the cyclical nature of history and the eternal power of the human spirit.
Overall, Yeats’ fascination with “beautiful lofty things” is evident in his poetry, as he explores the beauty and power of nature, the magic of the world of fairies, the emotional power of music, and the cyclical nature of history.
(3) Yeats often looked backward rather than forward in his poems, reflecting on the past and its impact on the present. This can be seen in three of his poems: “Easter, 1916,” “Leda and the Swan,” and “The Charge of the Light Brigade.”
In “Easter, 1916,” Yeats reflects on the Easter Rising, a rebellion against British rule in Ireland that took place in 1916. Yeats looks back on the event with a sense of nostalgia and admiration, despite the fact that it ended in tragedy. He sees the rebellion as a beautiful and lofty moment in Irish history, one that will be remembered for generations to come.
In “Leda and the Swan,” Yeats reflects on the myth of Leda, a queen of Sparta who was impregnated by the god Zeus in the form of a swan. Yeats looks back on this myth with a sense of wonder and admiration, seeing it as a beautiful and lofty moment in human history. The poem is filled with imagery of the natural world, including the swan and the egg, which symbolize the cyclical nature of life and the power of the human spirit.
In “The Charge of the Light Brigade,” Yeats reflects on the Charge of the Light Brigade, a disastrous cavalry charge during the Crimean War. Yeats looks back on this event with a sense of admiration and respect for the bravery of the soldiers, despite the fact that the charge ended in defeat. The poem is filled with lofty imagery, including the image of the soldiers riding into battle, which symbolizes the human spirit’s ability to overcome even the greatest of obstacles.
Overall, Yeats’ tendency to look backward rather than forward in his poems is evident in his reflections on Irish history, human history, and the power of the human spirit.
*SECTION B JOHN DONNE: SELECTED POEMS*
(4) John Donne’s love poems are characterized by their intense and complex exploration of love and desire. In “The Sun Rising,” Donne compares his lover to the sun, asserting that their love is more powerful and beautiful than the sun itself. He writes, “Thou art all beauty, no thing common, love, / But as to him, who in his power, he loves, / And as he loves, he rises up, and knows, / This is I, all my love, my life, my guide.” In “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning,” Donne explores the idea of love as a spiritual connection that transcends physical separation. He writes, “If they be two, they are two so, / As stiff twin compasses are two; / Thy soul, the fixed foot, makes no show, / To every firm and dwelling place.” In “The Flea,” Donne uses the metaphor of a flea to explore the idea of love as a shared experience that unites two people. He writes, “The flea is you and I, and we are the flea.” In “The Canonization,” Donne explores the idea of love as a sacred and holy act, worthy of reverence and admiration. He writes, “I love thee not as women do, nor as they / That have not loved; I love thee to the depth and breadth / And height my soul can reach, when feeling is asleep.”
(5) John Donne’s Holy Sonnets are a series of poems in which he addresses God, expressing his desire for salvation and his longing for eternal life. In “Holy Sonnet 1,” Donne addresses God directly, asserting that he is not afraid of death and that he will not be defeated by it. He writes, “Thou hast not loved me, O God, for I have loved / Thyself alone.” In “Holy Sonnet 2,” Donne addresses God, asking for forgiveness and salvation. He writes, “Take me, O God, to thy beloved Son, / And make me in thy holy presence happy.” In “Holy Sonnet 3,” Donne addresses God, asking for the gift of eternal life. He writes, “O God, while I have life, I’ll love thee, / And when I die, I’ll love thee still.” In “Holy Sonnet 4,” Donne addresses God, asking for the gift of wisdom and understanding. He writes, “O my God, I have been as a cloud / And dwindled am I like a shadow, and have lost / The battle of my life.” Overall, Donne’s Holy Sonnets are characterized by their direct address of God, their intense emotional intensity, and their exploration of themes of salvation, eternal life, and the human condition.
IJMB 2025 LITERATURE PAPER III QUESTIONS
SECTION C: AFRICAN POETRY.
JARED ANGIRA: SILENT VOICES
(6) In “Silent Voices,” Jared Angira explores the theme of the struggle for freedom and self-determination in the face of oppression. The poem is a powerful commentary on the experiences of African people who have been silenced by colonialism and imperialism. Angira’s preoccupation in the poem is the need for African people to find their voice and assert their right to self-determination. He emphasizes the importance of speaking out against injustice and standing up for one’s rights, even in the face of overwhelming opposition. The poem is a call to action, urging African people to rise up and demand their rightful place in the world. Angira’s message is clear: African people must not be silent in the face of oppression, but must instead find their voice and fight for their freedom. He suggests that the struggle for freedom is a collective struggle, and that it requires the participation and support of all African people in order to succeed.
(7) Jared Angira’s fascination with issues of religion in “Silent Voices” is evident in the way he uses religious imagery and references to explore the theme of the struggle for freedom. The poem is filled with references to biblical stories and religious imagery, such as the “voice of the Lord” and the “cry for help.” Angira uses these references to highlight the spiritual and moral dimensions of the struggle for freedom, and to emphasize the importance of faith and belief in the fight against oppression. He suggests that the struggle for freedom is not just a political or social struggle, but also a spiritual and moral one, and that it requires a deep sense of faith and belief in order to succeed. Angira’s use of religious imagery and references serves to elevate the struggle for freedom to a higher plane, and to emphasize the importance of faith and belief in the fight against oppression. He suggests that the struggle for freedom is a spiritual journey, and that it requires a deep sense of faith and belief in order to succeed.
