Grade 12 Poetry: 'This Winter Coming' by Karen Press

Summary

The presentation explores Karen Press's poem 'This Winter Coming,' a powerful critique of South Africa's apartheid era. Using an extended metaphor of a storm, the poem conveys the fear and unrest of 1986, symbolizing the struggle against oppression. It vividly portrays the societal divisions, highlighting the plight of women, men, and children amidst the impending civil war. The poem's free verse structure intensifies its themes of rebellion, defiance, and the looming specter of violence, resonating with the universal human experience of fear in the face of political upheaval.

Takeaways

• 📜 'This Winter Coming' is a poem by Karen Press, reflecting on the socio-political climate of South Africa during the apartheid era.
• 🎭 The poem uses an extended metaphor of a winter storm to symbolize the political turmoil and the struggle against apartheid in 1986.
• 👤 Karen Press, born in Cape Town in 1956, focuses on empowerment through education and writing, often highlighting the injustices of apartheid.
• ❄️ The 'winter' in the poem is not just a season but a metaphor for the harsh realities and the impending civil unrest in South Africa.
• 🌊 The storm described in the poem represents both the natural elements and the societal unrest, suggesting a violent and continuous struggle.
• 🚨 The poem references a 'state of emergency,' indicating increased government and military powers, a response to civil disorder during apartheid.
• 🏘️ The poem paints a vivid picture of the city's inhabitants, including women, men, and children, all affected by the socio-economic conditions of apartheid.
• 😔 The sadness and despair of the women are profound, described as a tide that could potentially drown the world, reflecting the emotional toll of apartheid.
• 👦 The children in the poem are depicted as symbols of innocence and resistance, running into the storm and kindling a fire to fight against the winter of oppression.
• 🏛️ The poem contrasts the privileged with the impoverished, highlighting the stark social divide created by the apartheid system.
• 🌧️ The 'sky' and 'rain' are recurring symbols of oppression and suffering, with the impending collapse suggesting the end of the apartheid regime.
• 📝 The poem is structured in free verse, allowing for a fluid expression of the themes of apartheid, change, social upheaval, and the fight for freedom.

Q & A

Who is the poet Karen Press?

Karen Press is a full-time writer and editor born in Cape Town in 1956. She grew up during the apartheid regime and focuses on empowerment and upliftment of people through education and writing.

What is the main theme of the poem 'This Winter Coming'?

The main theme of 'This Winter Coming' is the inequality and damage caused by the apartheid regime in South Africa, using a winter storm as an extended metaphor for the political situation in 1986.

What is an extended metaphor in poetry?

An extended metaphor in poetry is a figure of speech where two ideas are compared throughout the poem, running alongside each other to convey a deeper meaning.

What does the 'winter storm' symbolize in the poem?

The 'winter storm' in the poem symbolizes the political unrest and the potential uprising against the apartheid regime, as well as the apprehension around the government's state of emergency.

What is the significance of the rhetorical question 'who is not frightened?' in the poem?

The rhetorical question 'who is not frightened?' is repeated to emphasize the universal fear and apprehension experienced by all South Africans during the time of the apartheid government's state of emergency.

How does the poem describe the impact of apartheid on the people of South Africa?

The poem describes the impact of apartheid through the imagery of a turbulent sea, sad women, crying children, and men standing like tombstones, illustrating the suffering, inequality, and social divide caused by the regime.

What does the phrase 'the world is so hungry' in the poem signify?

The phrase 'the world is so hungry' signifies the extreme poverty and starvation experienced by the oppressed people under apartheid, as well as the metaphorical hunger for human rights and freedom.

What is the significance of the children lighting a fire in the poem?

The children lighting a fire symbolizes both their literal need for warmth in the harsh winter and their figurative fight against the apartheid system and the government's state of emergency.

How does the poem use the imagery of nature to reflect the social and political conditions in South Africa?

The poem uses the imagery of a violent sea, a dark sky, and a collapsing atmosphere to reflect the social unrest, political instability, and the oppressive conditions of apartheid in South Africa.

What is the form and structure of 'This Winter Coming'?

The poem is written in free verse, which means it does not follow a specific rhythm or rhyme scheme. It is structured into five stanzas, each focusing on different aspects of the societal impact of apartheid.

What are the emotions conveyed through the tone of the poem?

The tone of the poem conveys emotions of anger, rebellion, defiance, and fear, reflecting the struggle and the desire for change in the face of the apartheid regime.