Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

TELEPHONE CONVERSATION, by WOLE SOYINKA Poet's Biography

"Telephone Conversation" is a poignant and satirical poem by Wole Soyinka, a Nigerian playwright, poet, and novelist, which was first published in 1963. The poem reflects on the themes of racism, prejudice, and the complexities of communication in a society marked by social and cultural differences.

Explanation:

The poem "Telephone Conversation" begins with the speaker describing the image of a man trying to rent an apartment, only to be met with racial prejudice from the landlady on the other end of the phone. The poem then goes on to explore the deeper themes of racism, prejudice, and the complexities of communication, as the speaker reflects on the ways in which social and cultural differences can interfere with our ability to understand and connect with one another. The poem makes use of vivid and satirical imagery, such as the "west African sepia" of the speaker's skin and the "blind, white" of the landlady's racial prejudice, to convey the emotional weight of the subject matter.

The poem also employs a number of poetic elements, including:

Irony: The poem makes use of irony to highlight the absurdity of racial prejudice, such as the way in which the landlady tries to "classify" the speaker based on his skin color, and the way in which the speaker tries to use his British accent to overcome her racial bias.
Imagery: The poem makes use of vivid and evocative imagery, such as the "wide Nigerian grin" of the speaker and the "head throbbing against the bandaged night" of the landlady, to convey the emotional weight of the speaker's experience.
Tone: The poem's tone is satirical and ironic, inviting readers to consider the absurdity of racial prejudice and the ways in which social and cultural differences can interfere with our ability to connect with one another.

Conclusion:

"Telephone Conversation" is a poignant and satirical poem that reflects on the themes of racism, prejudice, and the complexities of communication. Through its use of vivid imagery, irony, and satirical tone, the poem invites readers to consider the emotional and psychological complexities of the human experience, and the ways in which racism and prejudice can shape our sense of self and our relationship with others. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the raw and often painful truths of society and the human condition.

Poem Snippet::

Silence. Silenced transmission of

Pressurized good breeding. Voice, when it came,

Lipstick coated, long gold-rolled

Cigarette-holder pipped.