Triumphant Change

"Africa" (1975) - Maya Angelou

“Thus she had lain

sugar cane sweet

deserts her hair

golden her feet

mountains her breasts

two Niles her tears

Thus she has lain

Black through the years.

Over the white seas

rime white and cold

brigands ungentled

icicle bold

took her young daughters

sold her strong sons

churched her with Jesus

bled her with guns.

Thus she has lain.

Now she is rising

remember her pain

remember the losses

her screams loud and vain

remember her riches

her history slain

now she is striding

although she had lain.”

Angelou obviously speaks to the long and brutal history of African slaves and their descendants. She incorporates geographic imagery while describing physical characteristics in order to introduce African ancestry, such as “deserts,” “mountains,” and “Niles.” Accurately portraying the white captors of her race, Maya Angelou associates white with the cold harshness of winter precipitation and brewing ocean waves. These associations define not only the white man's cruelty, but also the Middle Passage and the change in climate for African slaves. Each stanza represents a particular phase in African history. The first stanza depicts the homeland: warm, beautiful, natural. The second stanza relates the horrors of slavery: the seizure, and decades of implications. The third expresses a present victory for those of African descent, overcoming tremendous abuse and racism, to becoming free and proud in society.

Some techniques that caught my eye in “Africa” were the use of past versus present tense in repeating lines, and effective rhyming schemes. Angelou constantly reuses “Thus she had lain,” and “Thus she has lain.” throughout her poem. Mostly the author does this to signify what has and hasn't changed in society for those of African descent. When describing skin color she uses “has lain,” to imply that race has been constant through the years. Also when recounting the history of African slaves she utilizes the present “has lain,” to convey to the reader that history cannot be changed. However, Angelou applies the past tense “had lain” to “sugar cane sweet” and after “now she is striding.” This demonstrates a change from passive acceptance of abuse, to firm strength and placement in society of African Americans, and those of African descent everywhere. The differentiation between the past and present helps to effectively impart thematic meaning to the reader through repetition, and the subtle distinctions between “has” and “had.” Also Angelou purposely employs a discordant rhyming scheme within the first two stanzas to create certain tones and themes, allowing for an ultimate catharsis for the reader. By using limited rhyming within the first few stanzas, the consistent rhyming in the last stanza becomes significant, and catches the audience's attention. The persistent and unchanging rhymes in the end also mirror the tone of triumphant liberation from caged desperation. With strength, the rhyme ties up the last stanza and accents the reoccurring line “she had lain,” making the poem dramatic and effective to the end. The concept of varying rhyming and repetition intrigues and surprises me. I am stunned how such easy tools could be so ingenious and emphatic. Obviously the use of the same tactics in writing could help to make themes more potent, without being overly unctuous.