Answer: “At a Funeral” by Dennis Brutus answers what is the meaning and value of life in the face of death, oppression, and injustice.
Explanation: The poem is based on the true story of Valencia Majombozi, an African woman who became a doctor after years of hardship and sacrifice by her mother, but died soon after completing her internship. The poem describes the funeral scene, where the colors of the South African flag (black, green and gold) contrast with the bleakness of the graves and the mud. The poet questions the purpose of all the pomp and ceremony for someone whose gifts and hopes were buried by death. He then addresses all the “frustrate ones”, the people who were denied their potential and dignity by the oppressive system of apartheid. He urges them to rise up and fight for their freedom, rather than accept their fate. He suggests that it is better to die for a cause than to live in submission and misery. The poem is a powerful expression of anger, sorrow, and defiance, as well as a call for resistance and solidarity among the oppressed. The poet uses various literary devices, such as imagery, symbolism, alliteration, rhyme, and repetition, to convey his message and emotions.
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