Written in a single stanza, allowing the poets stream of consciousness to run alongside the dialogue that takes place. He uses enjambment and caesura to create speech-like patterns, and includes complex language, for example “surrender pushed dumbfoundment to beg simplification. ” This use of language gives the poem an intellectual and deep insight into the thoughts of black citizens when confronted with racism. Brenda Agard’s ‘Nothing Said’ does not give us this insight, but instead tells a factual story which affected many black people in the early 80’s.Agard uses a more typical poem structure within eight short stanzas, using rhyme to help her poem flow. Punctuation is cleverly used to break up lines within ‘Telephone conversation’ whereas little punctuation is present in ‘Nothing said’. This is perhaps because Soyinka is trying to describe the narrator’s thoughts and feelings, whereas Agard wishes her poem to have a quick pace like that of the march.
Both poets use ellipses to allow pauses for affect, and both poets use a range of both lower and upper case lettering.Agard uses this to emphasise points and heighten the reader’s incredulity, whereas Soyinka uses upper case letters in the landlady’s speech to highlight her rudeness. Each poem contains alliteration to link points and capture the reader’s attention. Repetition of the word ‘we’ is used by Agard, creating a sense of togetherness and unity within the black community.
Soyinka uses a range of wording and repetition, e. g. ‘silence for spectroscopic flight of fancy, till truthfulness’, creating an erythematic effect.The tenses, which the two poems are set in, differ greatly. Whist ‘Telephone Conversation’ is an account in the present tense, ‘Nothing Said’ comments on a protest that occurred in the past, as well as the actions the black society is going to take in the future. Each poem uses separate tones to depict their anger at racial injustice. ‘Telephone Conversation’ uses wit and humour alongside sarcasm to create a resigned attitude, using speech in the first person. ‘Nothing Said’, however, uses angry bitter tones to convey the resentment felt by many black British citizens.
Overall I think that both poems are exceedingly effectual in their methods of conveying black views on racism, but each poem presents its opinions in a completely different and proficient manner. ‘Telephone Conversation’ requires analysis before it can be fully understood, as the narrator’s feelings are hidden amidst imagery. However, once the poem is fully comprehensible it has a very clear message about racism and is extremely effective at presenting the poet’s views on colour racism. ‘Nothing Said’ appears from the outset to be the clearer of the two poems.
However it lacks detail, and unless background knowledge is known on the event the poem talks about, the full effect of the poem cannot be attained. Therefore I believe that ‘Telephone Conversation’ is the more effectual of the two poems providing a detailed view of a black Citizens opinion and leaving the reader astounded at the racism and discrimination present within society. Laura Brayne. Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE John Agard: Half-Caste section.
