Teacher-of-English.com

1. Teacher-of-English.com Not My Business Poems from Different Cultures

2. Slide Contents Author Context Themes What is it About? Structure Language Examination Preparation Links

3. The Author

4. Niyi Osundare Niyi Osundare was born in Nigeria in 1947. He has always been a passionate champion of free speech and is a strong believer in the power of words, saying, "to utter is to alter". Under the rule of the dictator General Sani Abacha (1993–1998), Osundare regularly wrote poems that criticised the regime and commented upon the lives of people in Nigeria. As a result he was frequently visited by Abacha’s Security Agents and questioned about his writing.

5. Context

6. Social & Historical Context Niyi Osundare wrote this poem to protest about the dictatorship that ruled Nigeria under General Sani Abacha (1993 to 1998). During this time, writing poetry was considered a dangerous activity by Abacha’s government. Undaunted by this Osundare wrote poems for a Nigerian national newspaper commenting on the lives of everyday people. Osundare criticises those who allow injustices to continue as long as it does not directly affect them. He says that if no one stands up against cruelty, poverty and injustice, it will, eventually, affect everybody's lives.

7. Themes

8. People This poem talks about the lives of the people of Nigeria under a military dictatorship. Not my Business conveys how terrifying it is to live under a violent regime. Niyi Osundare says that we should not ignore it when we witness the suffering of others. He encourages us to stand up for one another, in order to build a better society for everyone.

9. What is it About?

10. Imagine (or you may have experience) what you would do in the following situations with a partner or in a small group: What Would You Do?

11. What actions might you take? Would you make different choices for each different situation? How do you feel about the choices you would make? Do we always make the right choice? Why? What can happen when we don’t make the right choice? What Would You Do?

12. There are four verses in the poem. Do you know what is happening in each one? The first one has been done for you. What Happens?

13. There are four verses in the poem. Do you know what is happening in each one? The first one has been done for you. What Happens?

14. Check Your Understanding • What happens to people in the narrator’s neighbourhood? • How does the narrator feel about what happens? • Who might ‘they’ be? • What happens in the final verse? How do you think the narrator is feeling now? • How is Not my Business similar to a song?

15. Structure

16. Structure • Look carefully at the first three stanzas of the poem. How are the stanzas set out on the page? • Why do you think the poet decided to set the first 3 stanzas out this way? • Why does the poet repeat the same 3 lines in the first three stanzas? • How is the structure of the final stanza different? • Why has the poet changed the layout of the final verse?

17. Language

18. Violence Beat him Many words associated with violence and brutality are used in the poem. Find examples and add them to a spider diagram. Why does the poet use these words? What impression is he trying to create?

19. Imagery Look at the imagery used in the poem. Why does the poet use these particular images?

20. Poetic Techniques TechniqueDefinition Metaphorthe act or process of saying or writing something again Repetition A figure of speech not meant literally Personificationa comparison between two different things, especially a phrase containing the word 'like' or 'as Simile the attribution of human qualities to objects Match the technique with the correct definition.

21. Poetic Techniques TechniqueDefinition Metaphorthe act or process of saying or writing something again Repetition A figure of speech not meant literally Personificationa comparison between two different things, especially a phrase containing the word 'like' or 'as Simile the attribution of human qualities to objects Match the technique with the correct definition.

22. Poetic Techniques Think about the poetic techniques discussed on the last slide. Copy down the chart below. Find examples in the poem and write down the effect created.

23. Feelings and Attitudes • The narrator begins by saying that what happens to other people is not his business. • He is afraid when it appears that the same thing is going to happen to him. • The poet is angry about the way people are abused in his country. • The poet says that you should not ignore the suffering of others as one day it could happen to you. • He says that people should stand up to oppression.

24. ExaminationPreparation

25. The Examination Paper • You will have 45 minutes to answer the question. • You will be asked to compare two poems. • You should begin by annotating the question for the key words. This will help you to understand what you are being asked to do. E.g. Compare ‘Not my Business’ with one other poem which conveys strong attitudes and feelings about how individuals are treated in society.

26. Planning • Spend between 5 and 10 minutes making a plan. This will help you to order your essay logically. • Make a note of any key ideas you are going to include. • Leave at least 5 minutes at the end to read through your work and check for any basic errors.

27. Structure A good answer should: • Write in paragraphs. • Don’t forget to P.E.E! Using a range of quotes that are properly embedded within your answer. • Begin with an introduction and end with a conclusion. The main body of the essay should follow these five steps to make a good answer: • Write a bit about the theme • Compare the structures of each poem • Compare the use of language in each poem • Compare the feelings of the poets • Write about how the poems make you feel.

28. Similarity Connectives Equally In the same way Similarly Likewise Just as…also Contrast Connectives In contrast However Whereas (best used in the middle of a sentence) On the other hand Making Connections Use a series of comparisons, using connectives to link ideas, both within paragraphs and between paragraphs. Refer back to the question repeating the key words from it.

29. Analysis Use the following words to link your Point -> Evidence -> Explain sentences. The use of these words will also help to ensure that your response is analytical. suggests implies gives the impression that shows highlights indicates To make the same point using a different example, try one of these: furthers emphasises reinforces

30. Recap • When you are comparing poems you will be asked to look for the similarities and the differences. • You should comment on the language they use. What poetic devices are present? Imagery, similes, metaphors, alliteration, onomatopoeia, personification, rhyme etc. What effect do they have on the reader? • You will need to comment on the structure of the poems. How are they set out? Does this add to their overall effect/meaning? • Consider the tone of the poems. What mood has the author created?

31. Links

32. Useful Stuff Not my Business short films: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oqs7-I5y7HY&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFZzmPCgloU&feature=related Niyi Osundare Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niyi_Osundare