By Elimu Assistant Team 
Poetry Analysis: Mwananchi Poem
Poet: Everett M. Standa
You embarrass me…
Mwananchi
Why do you embarrass me with your questions
About the new Mercedes, I bought
The large farm I own
The houses, the wives,
An inflated stomach!
Mwananchi
Why do you threaten me with your threats
The threats in your bloodshot eyes
Fixedly pointed at me wherever I go
Like if you are ready
To release the arrow that will deflate me
Into nothingness;
Even the watchmen, the dogs, the police
Are all not enough to protect me
From your increasing shouts to protest
Against my good judgment;
Mwananchi
Have you forgotten how you loved me
And gave me your vote
That I may be your man in parliament?
Now that I have the power
I will mend your confused senses
And keep you in prison
Until you see me as your leader again
And keep those bloodshot eyes away from me
I will charge like an angry lion
And scare you out of your wits
Until like a frightened dog,
You keep your head forever…
Questions (20 Marks)
- Identify the persona in the poem. (2 marks)
- What is the message of the poem? (4 marks)
- Identify and comment on any two aspects of style in the poem. (6 marks)
- Describe the tone of the poem. (2 marks)
- Identify and illustrate two character traits of Mwananchi. (4 marks)
- Explain the meaning of the following words and phrases as used in the poem. (2 marks)
- i) Inflated stomach
- ii) Scare you out of your wits
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