Motho ke Motho ka- Jeremy Cronin

What is the term given to the African philosophy of the title?

• Unity

• Ubuntu

Discuss Cronin’s use of different languages in the poem.

• This represents diversity

• This represents discrimination

• This represents apartheid

• It emphasizes the restrictions made by the apartheid government

Explore how the poem shows the cruelty of isolation as a form of punishment.

• Prisoners were segregated based on gender

  The prisoners were not allowed to speak their own language

• Prisoners were segregated based on 'race'

  Favouritism in terms of 'race' is shown in the poem

How does the style contribute to the meaning of the poem?

• The style is informal

  The poem is a personal reflection of the prisoners' experience

  The use of different languages

• The style is formal

  The poem is impersonal

  They do not communicate using different languages

Assess whether the poem is an appropriate demonstration of the concept Ubuntu.

• Yes

  The prisoners work together regardless of 'race'

  They use sign language as a communication tool

• Yes

  The prisoners used their different languages and didn't care about the police

Subservience shown by use of diction:

• "warder" and "vee"

• "polishing" and "work"

• "No" and "baas"

The irony of the mirror as imagery:

• helps one see past oneself

• cannot see himself

• imprisoned by self

Brackets and italics mean, respectively:

• imprisoned and free

• speaking out loud and translation

• translation and speaking out loud

What is the setting of this poem?

• The poem is set in a prison, during apartheid.

• The poem is set in a court, during apartheid.

“Two fingers are extended in a vee / and wiggle like two antennae” Identify the figure of speech.

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Personification