POETRY AS A MEDIUM FOR CHANGE:A STUDY OF SOME SELECTED POEMS IN EZEIGBO’S DANCING MASKS
ABSTRACT
This research is titled “Poetry as a Medium for Change: A study of some selected poems in Ezeigbo’s Dancing Masks. This study discussed extensively how poetry can be used as a powerful weapon for transforming the society. Over the years, this complex genre of literature has paraded itself as a veritable tool in the hands of poets used to satirize societal attitudes and values with the aim of readjusting the mindset of the people, instilling in them proper moral values which in turn will lead to an upright society and Ezeigbo Dancing Masks is used as a silhouette for this study. The methodology used for this research work is archival and in-depth interview, the researcher interviewed four erudite scholars and their views formed a part of the findings of this study. This study found out that the power in poetry cannot be underestimated. Even the playful lullaby a child learns on its mother’s laps, as playful or entertaining as it seem, can bring about a measure of change when read with insight as they discuss certain societal issues in simple terms that help to build the intellectual capacity of the young child which will in turn bring about positive change in the society. Furthermore poetry is an effective tool for instilling in people noble moral values which is a stepping stone to creating a healthy society. This research recommends that literature in poetry should be made compulsory as prose literature is now made compulsory for all students writing Jamb. So that the young minds will be developed royally. This research conclude thus: Individuals who study poetry using the right approach and with the right attitude can have their thinking readjusted and act positively if they are willing to let themselves be influenced by the message of the poet; in addition poetry is important to the growth of the society.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgment iv
Abstract vi
Table of contents viii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study 1
1.2 Statement of the problem 3
1.3 Purpose of the study 3
1.4 Research questions 4
1.5. Significance of the study 4
1.6. Delimitation of the study 5
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1. What is literature? 6
2.2 Types of literature 9
2.3 Definition of poetry 24
2.4 Origin of poetry 27
2.5 Types of poetry 28
2.6 Features of poetry 35
2.7 How to approach poetry 41
2.8 Poetry and the society 45
CHAPTER THREE
- The poet: professor Akachi Adimora Ezeigbo 52
3.1 Sociological background of the selected poems 67
3.2. Synopsis of the selected poems. 71
3.3: Poetry as a medium of change in the selected poems under study: 72
CHAPTER FOUR
4.1 Style of the poet 92
4.2 Plot of the poems. 96
4.3 Subject matter 104
CHAPTER FIVE
5.1 Summary 129
5.2. Conclusion 130
5.3. Implication 131
5.4. Recommendation 131
5.5. Limitation of the study 132
5.6 Suggestions for further studies 132
Bibliography 133
Appendix I 135
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
The origin of poetry can be traced to the beginning of human existence. Evidently the first poem was composed following the creation of the first woman: ‘ This is at last bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh, this one shall be called woman because from man this one was taken. (Genesis 2:23-24), New Word Translation of the Holy Scriptures. Modern poetry however has undergone lots of changes over the years, making it a medium through which the realities are being revealed. To a poet, poetry is not just a source of livelihood, neither is it just for aesthetic pleasure, it is a powerful weapon for bringing about change. The language of poetry is figurative and noble and when read with deep insight, it can change an individual, a society, a nation and the world at large. Over the years, poets have taken advantage of the transformation power in poetry to contribute their quota in bringing about societal, political, environmental, and even economic change. One of such poet is Shelly Mont Blanc. In writing the poem, ‘Ode to the west wind’, Shelly employs the use of strong metaphor, comparing the west wind to an agent for change. Even as it destroys, the wind encourages new life on earth and social progress amongst humanity. In addition, Shelly Mont Blanc’s ‘The status of Ozymandias’ also symbolizes political tyranny. That the statue is broken into pieces and stranded in an empty desert, suggest that tyranny is temporary and that no political leader, particularly an unjust one can hope to have lasting power or real influence.
Another famous poet who has fought wars with poetry is Olaide Tanure. His collection of poems which include: Delta Blues and Home Song; The Tale of the Harmattan; and Day Dream of the Ant are all illustrations of ecocritical literature. Commenting on his works, he writes, “Literature has to draw attention to increasing gap between the haves and the have-nots. Literature gap becomes a weapon against the denial of basic human rights.” (Olaide 1996).
This research work however discusses how poetry can be used as a weapon for change using some selected poems in Akachi Adimora Ezeigbo’s Dancing Masks as a background to the study.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Throughout the ages, writers, having discovered the transformation power in poetry, have used this genre of literature to bring about change. This research work dwells on how the choice of words used by Akachi Adimora Ezeigbo, in writing some selected poems in her Dancing Masks can bring about social, economic, political, and even environmental change in these modern times.
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The purpose of the study is:
- To define poetry
- To discuss the origin of poetry.
- To get information on how poetry is written.
- To explain the effect of poetry on individuals and the society
- To discuss how poetry can be a medium of change in the light of Akachi Adimora Ezeigbo’ Dancing Masks.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
This research will find answers to these salient questions:
- What is Literature?
- What are the types of Literature?
- What is poetry?
- What is the origin of Poetry?
- What are the effects of Poetry on individuals and on the society?
- In the light of Ezeigbo’s ‘Dancing Masks how is poetry a medium of change?
1.5. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The contribution of poetry to the development of a nation could be quite enormous. Poetry has proven beyond reasonable doubt that wars can be fought without the use of physical weapons as the pen can take the place of the sword. It is therefore imperative to discuss the effect of poetry on individuals, which has a direct bearing on the development of the society and on the entire nation.
1.6. DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY
This research work is limited to some selected poems in Ezeigbo’s Dancing Masks and the African society with special reference to the Nigeria society.
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