The most successful poet amongst students within the Sheffield College Essay Example
The most successful poet amongst students within the Sheffield College Essay Example

The most successful poet amongst students within the Sheffield College Essay Example

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  • Pages: 4 (929 words)
  • Published: October 7, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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As per your inquiry about the most accomplished poet among Sheffield College students, I propose Grace Nichols as the primary candidate. Grace Nichols is a celebrated black poet and ex-journalist from Guyana in the Caribbean. She has been practicing as an independent writer since 1977 when she relocated to Britain and holds a prestigious position in the field.

By providing readers with a captivating and startling glimpse into slavery and the suppression of Black individuals by Whites, remarkable writing abilities are evident. The writer also addresses societal issues surrounding the oppression of women. One of their most poignant works is 'In My Name', which focuses on a 'slave' girl who becomes pregnant after being raped by her white 'master'. This piece demonstrates exceptional writing by vividly portraying the woman's emotional and physical

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state while addressing both oppressions using rich vocabulary.

Nichols utilizes comparisons throughout the passage to effectively capture the reader's imagination. She describes her child as resembling a curled bean and refers to her own physical appearance as having a belly in the shape of a black moon. These comparisons evoke sympathy for the child, who is referred to as tainted or a bastard fruit, but is also recognized as being perfect. The author's emotional hostility towards her attacker is also conveyed through the phrase "Let the evil one strangle on his own tongue even as he sets his eyes upon you".

Upon finishing the poem, one is left to ponder what fate befalls the child mentioned in the line "Now my sweet one it is for you to swim". This line invokes ambiguity as it may imply that the mother tragically drowns her offspring t

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spare them a life of enslavement, or perhaps she preserves her infant's life. However, the mother cannot shelter her child indefinitely and it must learn independence. Utilizing a semantic field of optimistic words associated with nature such as "bean", "seedling" and "grape", Nichols creates associations with freshness and growth. Additionally, she evokes euphoric imagery employing words like "moon" and "earth" in an attempt to foster positive images in the reader's mind.

Both the universe and a strong parental image are associated with them, making for a powerful connection. The exceptional quality of this poem brings attention to important topics that are often overlooked. Grace Nichols proves to be the most accomplished poet with her informative and entertaining style. Another impactful work is 'I Coming Back', which also delves into the topic of slavery.

The poem takes a new perspective, giving the 'slave' some authority over her master. It depicts a young girl determined to seek retaliation for the wrongs done to her. To accomplish this, the writer uses a voodoo or magic spell format, incorporating repeated phrases or chants that imbue the 'slave' with power. The poem highlights that while the master may exercise almost complete dominion over her existence, he cannot govern her thoughts.

Nichols employs a semantic field linked to death to intensify the image. The terms 'underworld', 'evil', and 'skull' all carry adverse implications of evil and the afterlife. The portrayal demonstrated is one of misery and misfortune, which she desires to impose on her master. The use of Creole instead of Standard English makes it simpler for the reader to connect with the 'slave' and renders the poem much more intimate. 'Up My

Spine' is a poem that describes how an observer perceives an old, feeble woman.

Through descriptive language, the poem portrays the woman as having "ravaged skin," displaying the toll of slavery on her body. Repetition highlights the injuries of the "old dry-head woman," and a negative semantic field with terms like "old," "rattle," and "ravaged" underscores themes of decay and death.

Grace Nichols' writing not only draws attention to the historical injustices experienced by marginalized communities, but also celebrates Caribbean culture and the importance of preserving its language. Creole features prominently in many of her poems, introducing readers to a dialect that might otherwise remain unknown. For Nichols, both Standard English and Creole have played significant roles in her life, and she often blends the two together in her work as a reflection of her upbringing in a world where these two spheres constantly intersected.

I'm sorry, there is no text provided toand unify. Can you please provide the necessary information?Grace Nichols uses unique techniques in her poetry to convey the impact of slavery on individuals. In her poem 'I Comin Back', Nichols deviates from traditional English language structure and employs rhythmic form to imbue the character with a strong presence. Reading Nichols' poetry may prompt reflections on the vast reach of the slave trade and the widespread nature of slavery. She addresses important themes relating to slavery and its effects on innocent people.

In 'I Coming Back' and 'Up my Spine', Nichols adeptly and sensitively addresses key issues in a manner that is both accessible and informative. Her examination of motherhood in 'In my Name' demonstrates how the legacy of slavery can impact a mother's life,

shaping her decisions. Overall, Nichols provides readers with a clear, engaging, and entertaining perspective on these important subjects.

Grace Nichols' work deserves recognition for leaving a lasting impression. In 1983, she was honored with the Commonwealth poetry prize for 'I is a long memoried women', which helped bring her poetry to a wider audience and attest to its quality. Nichols' poetry is deeply emotional and enjoyable to read. It is my hope that you will find pleasure in her work as much as I did, and give credit where it is due.

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