Analysis of “Ibadan” by J. P. Clark

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Biography of Poet
J. P. Clark is a Nigerian poet from the Ijaw tribe. He studied at the University of Ibadan; it is from Ibadan that he got to write a poem about Ibadan, and it is from here that he developed as a poet.
Analysis of the Poem
This is a poem about the city, Ibadan. This Ibadan is in South West, Nigeria. It is in the state of Oyo. It is an ancient city that had been in existence even before the coming of the British. As the city is old, the houses of the city are dirty and the roofs are rusted. This is also an unplanned city.
The persona begins by describing Ibadan as running splash of rust: that is, Ibadan is filled with rust; rust here symbolizes old and ancient. The color of this rust is that of “gold” which the persona shows. The use of “scattered” shows disorderliness of houses in the city. Then, the seven hills are the seven hills that surround the city.
“Like Broken China in the Sun” represents the disorderliness and the scattered plan of the city.
Form/Structure: It is a single stanza of five lines. It is scattered and not properly arranged because of disorderliness of the city.
Tone/Mood: The poet’s mood is that of anger; his tone is that of indifference.
Language/Diction: The persona uses simple words and language; this can easily be understood by anybody.
Imagery: The persona uses metaphor and simile to create the ‘visual imagery’ which arouses a reader’s sense of sight.
Figures of Speech:
1.      Metaphor: “Ibadan, running splash of rust and gold-flung and scattered …”
2.      Simile: “… and scattered among seven hills like broken china in the sun.”
Poetic Devices:
1.      Onomatopoeia: “Splash” and “Rust” in Line 2.
2.      Assonance:  “… running splash of rust …”
3.      Alliteration: “… running splash of rust …”
Themes:
1.      The Need for a Planned City.
2.      The Need for Renovation.
Chinwe O'Brien is a writer and a blogger. He is currently doing a degree program in English and Literature. He blogs at http://www.bettertim.blogspot.com He wishes to make the world a better place for all.
 

Comments

Unknown said…
Well, I must say you are a brilliant photographer and the blog is very nice. Thank you :)
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July 23, 2018 at 7:10 AM
Unknown said…
nice analysis. i think this will help me in my further analysis
May 20, 2019 at 6:18 PM
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