roy kloof – sydney clouts
DESCRIPTION
An Analysis of the PoemTRANSCRIPT
1
ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGEGRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN
POETRYMR OOSTHUYSEN
2
“Such a little king’s eye”, said my mother who still had the kind imperial look.“He’ll command. Dear cherry-bright boy!”Her faded English blood ran strong,she dreamt of the shires all night long,rose in the morning and called me, Roy.
ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGEGRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN
POETRYMR OOSTHUYSEN
3
That was the beginning. My father who cameraw from the veld with a rocky name,though a mild man, frequently dreamtthat Circumstance galloped with him riding,that History was thatched into his roof.It hurt him to hear me christened, Roy Kloof.
ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGEGRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN
POETRYMR OOSTHUYSEN
4
Up behind father with little bright spursI dreamt I was galloping, gravely horsed.I dreamt of a sceptre: I cried and criedTill rock and shire were divorced.Division incarnate! An unhappy role!My country has given me flint for a soul.
ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGEGRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN
POETRYMR OOSTHUYSEN
5
“Such a little king’s eye”, said my mother who still had the kind imperial look.“He’ll command. Dear cherry-bright boy!”
ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGEGRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN
POETRYMR OOSTHUYSEN
Direct Speech – immediacy and individualityRepresentative of a type rather than individual
Praise – English colonial powerKing = monarchImperial aspirations for her son Not true kindness – false,
condescending kindness of one who believes she knows better and must instruct othersEnglish arrogance involved in Colonialism – disregard for the values and dignity of the original inhabitants of conquered land
Dream/assumption: because her son is English (has the “king’s eye” – believes that he is born to leadVery arrogant and authoritarian attitude Deliberately
archaic – scarlet colour usually associated with British presence
6
Her faded English blood ran strong,she dreamt of the shires all night long,rose in the morning and called me, Roy.
ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGEGRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN
POETRYMR OOSTHUYSEN
Lost it’s brightness, colour and vigour
The counties into which England is divided – ties with her homeland are still strong
PARADOX – she no longer has the energy and youthful vitality but her patriotism and loyalty to England remains powerful
“Roy” = “Roi” French for “king”Part of her fantasy
Mother = symbol of imperialism and colonialism – represents English empire builders – believed the were bringing civilization and enlightenment to “darkest Africa” – impose European culture and values on indigenous population
7
That was the beginning. My father who cameraw from the veld with a rocky name,
ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGEGRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN
POETRYMR OOSTHUYSEN
Introduces his father
Powerful and rawTakes his strength from the landBecomes a symbol of the countryHardship and struggle to establish himself in SA
Refocuses our attention on the title: “Kloof” – ravine/narrow gorge
His inflexibility…
Gap/rift/”kloof” that exists between him and the English-speaking whites
8
though a mild man, frequently dreamtthat Circumstance galloped with him riding,that History was thatched into his roof.It hurt him to hear me christened, Roy Kloof.
ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGEGRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN
POETRYMR OOSTHUYSEN
His rigidity is combined with a gentleness - he is split: innate gentleness with and inherited severe harshness and tough bitterness inherited from his ancestors Calvinistic belief that
their actions create the destiny/history of the Afrikaner nation
PERSONIFICATION
His personal achievements create historyAfrikaners associated themselves with the Israelites – SA: promised land
Because of its incongruity
9
Up behind father with little bright spursI dreamt I was galloping, gravely horsed.I dreamt of a sceptre:
ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGEGRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN
POETRYMR OOSTHUYSEN
Child’s dream links him with his father – close relationship with father but “behind”
Associated with kingship, hunting and power
Takes this dream very seriously – behaves “seriously” – wants dad to be proud of him
10
I cried and criedTill rock and shire were divorced.Division incarnate! An unhappy role!My country has given me flint for a soul.
ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGEGRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN
POETRYMR OOSTHUYSEN
Cries because of the impossibility of achieving the dream
Repetition: misery & frustration
FATHER AND MOTHER
Division between English and Afrikaans people in SA
“unhappy role” – caught between his parents – needs to reconcile differences – no clear value system to support himFINAL IMAGE: soul = hard as rock – cannot reconcile conflicts – clash, spark will always remain – individual destroyed by his heritage