Lecture Notes: Analysis of The Child Who Was Shot Dead By Soldiers at Nyanga by Ingrid Jonker

Introduction

• Subject: Analysis of the poem The Child Who Was Shot Dead By Soldiers at Nyanga by Ingrid Jonker.
• Context:
  • Part of the newly prescribed Grade 12 English home language poetry for 2023.

Background on Ingrid Jonker

• Biography:
  • Born in Northern Cape, 1933.
  • Began writing poetry at age 6; published by 16.
  • Lived through apartheid era; expressed views against it in poetry.
  • Died by suicide in 1965 at Green Point, Cape Town.
• Recognition:
  • Honored by Nelson Mandela in his inaugural address on May 25, 1994.

Context of the Poem

• Event:
  • Written in response to the shooting of a child during a protest against apartheid pass laws in Nyanga, Cape Town, 1960.
• Inspiration:
  • Jonker imagined the child's potential life and the senselessness of his death.
  • Described the mother as universal and herself, plus her daughter Simone as the child.

Analysis of the Poem

Title

• Impact: Provokes sympathy; highlights child's helplessness and the senselessness of death.

Poem Structure and Literary Devices

• Anaphora: Repetition of "the child" emphasizes innocence and symbol of resistance.
• Synesthesia: "Screams the smell" combines senses, emphasizing intensity.

Thematic Analysis

1. The Child's Symbolism:

   • Represents innocence, resistance, freedom, and hope.
   • Metaphorically alive as a symbol despite being physically dead.

2. Parental and Generational Conflict:

   • Youth depicted as more active in fighting for change compared to past generations.

3. Imagery of Violence:

   • Explicit depiction of violence to highlight brutality and senselessness of apartheid.

4. Omnipresence of the Child:

   • Child's spirit inspires ongoing resistance.
   • Present in all protests, legislation, and within the hearts of mothers.

5. Freedom and Justice:

   • Child grows into a symbol of freedom and justice that transcends boundaries.
   • Travels "without a pass," symbolizing liberation from oppressive laws.

Form and Structure

• Free Verse: No specific rhyme or rhythm, symbolizing unrestricted thought.
• Enjambment: Continuous flow represents unending influence of the child.
• Tone: Bold, passionate, and determined, with elements of outrage and loss.

Themes

• Freedom: Aspiration for rights and equality.
• Resistance: Child as a symbol of protest and equal rights.

Conclusion

• The poem serves as a powerful symbol against apartheid and for human rights.
• Encouragement to explore more of Ingrid Jonker's work for further understanding of historical and thematic contexts.

• Additional Resources: Subscribe to the presenter’s YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok for more English content related to Grade 12 poetry.