The Telephone Conversation African Literature The price seemed reasonable, location Indifferent. The landlady swore she lived Off premises. Nothing remained But self-confession. "Madam," I warned, "I hate a wasted journey--I am African."
Silence. Silenced transmission of Pressurized good-breeding. Voice, when it came, Lipstick coated, long gold-rolled Cigarette-holder pipped. Caught I was foully. The Telephone Conversation African Literature
"HOW DARK?" . . . I had not misheard . . . "ARE YOU LIGHT OR VERY DARK?" Button B, Button A.* Stench Of rancid breath of public hide-and-speak. Red booth. Red pillar box. Red double-tiered Omnibus squelching tar. It was real! Shamed The Telephone Conversation African Literature
By ill-mannered silence, surrender Pushed dumbfounded to beg simplification. Considerate she was, varying the emphasis-- "ARE YOU DARK? OR VERY LIGHT?" Revelation came. "You mean--like plain or milk chocolate?" The Telephone Conversation African Literature
Her assent was clinical, crushing in its light Impersonality. Rapidly, wave-length adjusted, I chose. "West African sepia"--and as afterthought, "Down in my passport." Silence for spectroscopic Flight of fancy, till truthfulness clanged her accent The Telephone Conversation African Literature
Hard on the mouthpiece. "WHAT'S THAT?" conceding "DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS." "Like brunette." "THAT'S DARK, ISN'T IT?" "Not altogether. Facially, I am brunette, but, madam, you should see The rest of me. Palm of my hand, soles of my feet The Telephone Conversation African Literature
Are a peroxide blond. Friction, caused-- Foolishly, madam--by sitting down, has turned My bottom raven black--One moment, madam!"--sensing Her receiver rearing on the thunderclap About my ears--"Madam," I pleaded, "wouldn't you rather See for yourself?" The Telephone Conversation African Literature
Analyzing the Poem
Context of the Poem Who wrote the poem? When was the poem written and in what country? Is it part of a series? Does the poem belong to a particular period or literary movement?
Style of the Poem What kind of poem is it?
Title of the Poem Is the title’s meaning obvious? Does it imply multiple possibilities? Is there historical significance to the title?
Repetition in the Poem Is there any repetition of someone or something in the poem? Why is there a repetition?
Opening and Closing Lines of the Poem Does the poet place significant information or emotion in these places? Does the poet intend to leave a lasting impression by closing with a particular thought?
Passage of Time in the Poem Can you pin down a time frame? What details specify time? Does the poet name a particular month or season? Are there gaps?
Speaker of the Poem Who is the speaker of the poem? Does the speaker talk directly to a second person? Is the voice meant to be universal?
Names of Characters Do the name/s of character suggest extra meaning?
Basic Details of the Poem Is the poet deliberately concealing information from the readers? Why does the poet leave out significant facts? Are readers supposed to fill in the blanks?
Culture Does the poem stress cultural details, such as the behavior, dress, or speech habits of a particular group or a historical period or event? Are any sections written in dialect, slang, or foreign words?
Fantasy VS Reality Is the poem an obvious fantasy, as is the case with the intense confrontation ?
Mood and Tone of the Poem What is the mood of the poem? Does the mood change within the body of the work? Why does the mood shift? Where does the shift begin? What is the poet's tone? Does the poet admire, agree with, ridicule, or condemn the speaker? Is there an obvious reason for the poet's attitude? Does the poet withhold judgment?
Themes of the Poem Is the subject youth, loss, renewal, patriotism, nature, love? Are there several themes? How do these themes relate to each other? Is the poet merely teasing or entertaining or trying to teach a lesson? Does the poet emphasize the theme by means of onomatopoeia, personification, or controlling images?
Use of Senses in the Poem Does the poem stress sense impressions? Does the poet concentrate on a single sense or a burst of sensation?
Imagery in the Poem Are there concrete images or pictures that the poet wants readers to see? Are the pictures created by means of comparisons?
Language of the Poem Does the poet stress certain sounds, such as pleasant sounds (euphony) or harsh letter combinations (cacophony)? Are certain sounds repeated (alliteration, sibilance)? Is there a rhyme scheme or sound pattern at the ends of lines?
Conclusions Are you emotionally moved or touched by the poem? Are you entertained or repulsed, terrified or stirred to agree? Do words and phrases stick in your memory? How has the poet made an impression? And most important, why?