UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS
October/November 2023
ENG1501
Foundations in English Literary
Studies
Student number:
Student names:
100 Marks
Duration 4 Hours
First Examiners: Prof. A. Kreuiter
and Ms L. Nortje
Second Examiners: Ms L.
Phakathi and Dr B. Janari
, QUESTION 1: POETRY: ‘Point of View’ – Gabeba Baderoo
1) What narrative perspective does the poet use in the poem, and how
can it be related to the title? Quote from the poem to support your
answer (4)
The author uses the third person way of narrating which leaves it up to the
readers on what role we will take if we are in the life of the woman in the story
- whether as a friend, a stranger, relative, someone who wants to help her,
etc.
In this excerpt, the use of "I" and "my" clearly indicates the first-person
perspective, and the speaker is sharing their personal journey and the
challenges they have faced in finding their way. This personal perspective
adds depth to the poem and allows the reader to connect with the speaker's
individual experience of displacement and searching for a sense of belonging.
Here is a quote from the poem that illustrates the first-person perspective and
the speaker's unique point of view:
"I have taken the long way to get here,
lost my bearings for years in the forest,
wondered which thread would lead me out."
2) What is the theme of the poem? Give a reason for your answer, and
quote from the poem to support your answer. (3)
The theme of this poem revolves around the experience of displacement,
identity, and the search for belonging. The poem explores the speaker's
journey of finding their place in a new land while reflecting on their past and
the challenges they have encountered. The theme is evident through the
speaker's exploration of their identity and sense of self in a foreign
environment.
Here is a quote from the poem that supports this theme:
"I have grown two hands that will find a place
in the dark to put them."
3) What tone do you think is used in the poem? Support your position
with two examples from the poem (3)
The tone in "Point of View" by Gabeba Baderoon is contemplative and
introspective. The speaker reflects on their experiences and emotions, and
October/November 2023
ENG1501
Foundations in English Literary
Studies
Student number:
Student names:
100 Marks
Duration 4 Hours
First Examiners: Prof. A. Kreuiter
and Ms L. Nortje
Second Examiners: Ms L.
Phakathi and Dr B. Janari
, QUESTION 1: POETRY: ‘Point of View’ – Gabeba Baderoo
1) What narrative perspective does the poet use in the poem, and how
can it be related to the title? Quote from the poem to support your
answer (4)
The author uses the third person way of narrating which leaves it up to the
readers on what role we will take if we are in the life of the woman in the story
- whether as a friend, a stranger, relative, someone who wants to help her,
etc.
In this excerpt, the use of "I" and "my" clearly indicates the first-person
perspective, and the speaker is sharing their personal journey and the
challenges they have faced in finding their way. This personal perspective
adds depth to the poem and allows the reader to connect with the speaker's
individual experience of displacement and searching for a sense of belonging.
Here is a quote from the poem that illustrates the first-person perspective and
the speaker's unique point of view:
"I have taken the long way to get here,
lost my bearings for years in the forest,
wondered which thread would lead me out."
2) What is the theme of the poem? Give a reason for your answer, and
quote from the poem to support your answer. (3)
The theme of this poem revolves around the experience of displacement,
identity, and the search for belonging. The poem explores the speaker's
journey of finding their place in a new land while reflecting on their past and
the challenges they have encountered. The theme is evident through the
speaker's exploration of their identity and sense of self in a foreign
environment.
Here is a quote from the poem that supports this theme:
"I have grown two hands that will find a place
in the dark to put them."
3) What tone do you think is used in the poem? Support your position
with two examples from the poem (3)
The tone in "Point of View" by Gabeba Baderoon is contemplative and
introspective. The speaker reflects on their experiences and emotions, and
