Question

Read these lines from the poem.

The countless springboks are my flock,

Spread o’er the unbounded plain;

The buffalo bendeth to my yoke,

The wild horse to my rein;

What do these lines reveal about the Bushman's viewpoint?


The Bushman feels the benefits of his lifestyle far exceed those of the white man.

The Bushman hopes to share his understanding of the natural world with the white man.

The Bushman wishes for the same ability to control nature as the white man.

The Bushman feels better equipped to survive in nature than the white man.

Answer 1

Answer: The Bushman feels better equipped to survive in nature than the white man.

In this excerpt, the Bushman is outlining the skills he has. He claims that the springboks (a type of antelope) that live in the plains are his companions, the buffalo obey him and the wild horses allow him to ride them. All these qualities enable him to live in nature comfortably and happily. The implication is that his abilities make him better suited to surviving in the wild than the white man.

Answer 2

The Bushman feels better equipped to survive in nature than the white man.These lines show the skill and strength of the Bushman. His range of control is incomparable as he is able to take care of the countless springboks; make the buffalo submit to him; and the wild horses are also tamed under his hands. Thus, he can survive in the wilds without fear.