Kishwar Naheed uses repetition to indicate her argument. For example, the words “I am” are repeated at the beginning of each stanza. She uses these words to make her argument clear and show how powerful, willing and determined she is to amend her oppressed lifestyle. It is clear to the reader that no one at all can change her beliefs as she is strong and passionate to achieve equality between men and women. Naheed is in rage and frustrated as the majority of women follow their culture of being obedient towards their husbands. The repetition creates a sense of guilt, in particular to the men she directed this at.
Alliteration is used in Tatumkhulu Afrika’s poem to represent his resentment of the social inequality that still existed. The alliteration, assonance of the harsh “C” sound is seen in the descriptive words “Cuffs” and “Cans” which are repetition of consonant sounds. “Can” symbolises waste which gives an image that the masses (blacks) feel unwanted; he uses this technique to make his argument effective. Also, to make the argument clear in the readers mind by expressing his feelings and explaining the vivid image of the surroundings. Another technique Afrika uses is onomatopoeia, “Click” and “Crunch” the verbs illustrate that the masses (blacks) have a feeling of isolation and loneliness; and perhaps their position of inequality may not change. The word “Click” could suggest a stressful lifestyle; it is used to imitate the sound of the poet walking. He attempts to bring the whole scene to life. The word “Crunch” has an impact on the reader as it involves and helps them imagine they are walking with him. Furthermore, this gives the reader an idea of construction, wasteland and neglect. The poets’ use of onomatopoeia allows the reader to experience the physical feelings of the poet. The effect it has on the reader is a hard, bitter mood and it helps the reader follow the man on his journey through the district literally and metaphorically. Therefore, Afrika’s protest is on segregation and it sounds as if he perhaps is showing the brutal situation the masses (blacks) are in.
Kishwar Naheed shows her protest by using imagery, the use of metaphor shows how passionate she is towards emancipation “remember me? I am the one who you hid in your walls of stone.” In this line Naheed is speaking to her father. Remembering the time when her father was against her will; and questioning herself whether or not her father remembers how he treated her. Stanza one shows an imagery of being trapped and having barriers to freedom “walls.” Moreover, this shows that women were discriminated from speaking as they had subservient roles and only men were superior and were allowed to give their views. The poet is explaining her unfair treatment, trapped feeling and being surrounded by barriers. Naheed conveys that she feels as if there is nowhere to turn to and feels as if she will not achieve freedom no matter what her actions are.“Not knowing my voice cannot be smothered by stones.” this line shows that men may have control over her actions. However they will never have control over her views or spirits. Even her own father is unable to be in possession over her actions. The words “smothered” and “stones” are alliteration. This is used to make her argument clear and effective. “Smothered” could suggest that Naheed feels trapped or has been forced to be oppressed and exploited.
Tatumkhulu Afrika wants to convey the idea of masses (blacks) being disrespected even when Apartheid had ended by using personification. This is evident in the words “thrust” and the onomatopoeia “trodden.” He is referring the words to himself by emphasising his feelings. He wants to make it clear for the reader that even though Apartheid had ended and there are no ‘whites only’ signs. Afrika still feels as if the whites’ behaviour has not changed even when the Apartheid system was abolished. He conveys that the masses (blacks) were still not welcome and were unable to enter certain areas “Nothing’s changed.” They are treated with disrespect and are going through oppression. This shows a deeper meaning that Apartheid was forced on to the masses and was deliberately thrown onto them.
Another use of imagery Naheed uses is “while you roamed free as the breeze.” This simile is referring to the men in her life (her husband.) She describes herself as being held as a prisoner, the words “free” and “breeze” illustrates her husband living a life full of freedom with no restrictions. It gives us an idea that women were expected to be conservative and were dominated by men. The writer reinforces the idea that women felt degraded, this is seen in the words “selling you socks and shoes.” She shows that women felt insignificant, and they did not have any self respect. This sounds as if the protest is about the men in her life being superior and the women treated inferior due to discrimination against women. Also, Kishwar Naheed shows how this is unfair and there should be equality.
In stanza two the mood changes as anger begin to rise. Tatumkhlulu wants to convey the idea of forced removals of blacks, Indians and coloureds during Apartheid. It is seen in the two stressed syllables “District six” which could represent that the masses felt isolated or like a stranger. This was the name of a poor area in Cape Town, it was a famous community as blacks and mixed raced were evicted from there and it represents Apartheid. The area was bulldozed however it was not properly rebuilt. At the time during Apartheid there was separation and inequality between different races. The masses were forced to live in one area. The short sentence conveys that the poet is angry and frustrated as everyone seems thoughtless on the subject of Apartheid. He writes “District six” alone so it can stand out from the rest of the stanza. This also emphasises Tatumkhulu Afrika protest is after Apartheid was abolished.
Kishwar Naheed uses poetic devices to explain her protest and argument. One of the poetic device she uses is euphuism. Furthermore, imagery is being used to suggest sexual references. This is evident in “you picked flowers and planted thorns and embers.” In these lines Kishwar is explaining how she gave him pleasure and her husband took away her purity. However, in return he replaced it with anger, bitterness and revenge as her husband treated her unfairly and gave Naheed such a restricted lifestyle with no freedom. The poet uses nature to represent her beliefs. “Flowers” could mean fresh, pure, happiness. This indicates that this was what she was willing to share with her husband. “Thorns” suggests that in return, her husband created pain and sorrowfulness in her life. “Embers” illustrates ashes, hot or old. This gives the impression of the long term hate and anger of the inequality between men and women.
Afrika is protesting on the separate treatment between the whites and masses (blacks.) The poet explains that “No board says it is” because his recognition of the area is shown through a list of parts of his body, he lists his body parts in the poem to emphasise that his body is the same as everyone else; however he is different from other people because of his colour. Tatumkhulu Afrika feels unwanted even though there is no “board.” It is evident in the words “my hands,” “skin,” “labouring of my lungs” and “the hot, white, inwards turning anger of my eyes.” This illustrates that he recognises this place as how it was when he was a young boy. The word “anger” conveys a hot or angry mood because of the ignorant treatment from the whites. Moreover, Afrika feels isolated as he gives the impression that there are white people surrounding him and he is the black bit of his eye (the pupil), the black or coloured part of his eye is being closed down by whites and makes him feel unwanted because they are all surrounding him and he is in the middle. This introduces the first sign of his intense emotion; he knows instinctively that the place he is visiting is District six. “Labouring of my lungs” could possibly convey that he is depressed, angry, in pain, and it brings flashbacks of the memories he had in this particular area. It could also mean that he is living in a restricted lifestyle and feels as if he is trapped or suffocated. Repetition of the pronoun “my” reinforces his personal experience of this place. Therefore, Afrika makes his argument by using imagery of the features of his body parts.
A feeling of loneliness is created by Naheed. For instance, “Not knowing, that light cannot be hidden in darkness.” The words “light” could represent her self awareness and liberated self. Furthermore, this can refer to women who are determined to fight for equality. “Darkness” could suggest the men in her life who are isolating and treating her like a prisoner. She emphasises that she believes it is necessary to be free from oppression. Naheed also points out that even though she may feel at threat and not speak out with the men in her life. No one can hide her thoughts or feelings; and stop her from giving her views about the inequality that occurred if her life. The repetition of “not knowing” highlights the idea that the men are unaware and are too ignorant to know that Kishwar Naheed will speak out. Men believe that women are naive and assume they will never offer their opinions or argue which means that Kishwar Naheed knows that the men will be fooled when she does speak.
In the third stanza, Tatumkhulu Afrika uses contrast effectively to make his argument by creating an image in the readers mind. He shows inequality by the use of sharp contrast between the whites lifestyle compared to the masses (blacks.) He sees evidence that there has been no change with racism as he discovers places such as the two restaurants. This is seen in the words “Working man’s cafe.” And “New up market, haute cuisine” this shows that the restaurant was intended for wealthy white customers excluding the masses (blacks.) The quote describes the masses feeling of rage. The word “New” symbolises an extravagant, fashionable, tidy and clean place. “Haute cuisine” emphasises high class, elegant food. In contrast, “Working” represents a rough, untidy, stressful and an unclean environment. Also, Afrika explains how even though the ‘whites only’ area is not restricted anymore; and Apartheid had ended. People’s minds did not change and the majority of rich whites believed that only they were more superior compared to the masses (blacks) and had the right to be there. The restaurant conveys that inequality still exists in the country and Afrika is in agitation because of this particular reason.
Naheeds words “the woman who you bought and sold” expresses the idea that women were treated as objects as if they did not have a mind, were voiceless and were treated as a commodity. “To get rid of a burden” suggests that Naheed is speaking to her father who followed the Asian tradition of arrange marriages. She conveys that women were unwanted and were not cared for. In particular female infants were seen as a financial burden to an Indian family as they were discriminated from working and were not allowed to have an education. Naheed emphasises that she felt as if she was in the family for no purpose. Male infants were seen as the family gaining prosperity, they were celebrated and it was a gift to be proud of.
The opening of the stanza “Brash with glass” immediately tells the reader that this is a luxurious place or arrogant. The word “Brash” is ironic as it can mean white faced. The harsh vowel of the assonance helps the reader to suggest the poet’s anger. The simile and alliteration of the phrase “flaring like a flag” conveys the idea that the restaurant asserts itself, even in its name. The word “flag” suggests that the people who set up a flag, have conquered someone else’s land. This highlights the idea of when the whites stole the land of South Africa. “Flaring” suggests that the whites are bragging to the masses (blacks) about their superior lifestyle and it conveys Afrika’s anger as this links to the image of heat used earlier in stanza two ”anger of my eyes.” The simile “guard at the gatepost” suggest that the restaurant is reserved exclusively for white people. The “guards” are threatening the masses (blacks.) He explains that even though there is “No sign” displayed outside the “whites only inn” and Apartheid was supposed to be put to an end. The “guard” is replaced instead of the sign as they block the masses (blacks) from entering the “haute cuisine.” Therefore, Afrika gives a clear image to the reader that Apartheid still exists.
In “I am not that woman” Kishawar Naheed attempts to redefine the man-woman relationship; and address the situation she faces in her everyday life of exploitation and oppression. It is illustrated in the words “Now it is time for me to flower free.” The alliteration gives the impression that she wants to fight back and does not want to live restricted anymore. The words “Now” and “free” shows when she wants to redefine the man-woman relationship. Moreover, she explains how she wants to live like. Naheed wants a life with no restrictions and for men and women to be treated equally. The message in the poem is that men and women are not always treated equally; and how there is still sexism and discrimination. In particular, women are not dominated by men and men are treated with prestige and power. The poem helps her express her thoughts and feelings.
Afrika’s words are ambiguous “we know where we belong.” This perhaps emphasises that the masses (blacks) know that they are discriminated from entering the inn as there is a “guard at the gate post.” The use of the pronoun “we” emphasises that he believes that his identity belongs with the masses (blacks.) The “single rose” on each table contrast with the “working man’s cafe.” As a “single rose” symbolises high quality lifestyle or perfection. It could also mean the arrogant wealth that was amongst the mass poverty at the time.
In the words “My motherhood” Naheed conveys that women were born to nurture and care. On the other hand, the men in her society have stolen this substantial and amazing gift from them. Instead women are forced to be voiceless, obedient and were unfairly treated as servants due to the male dominance. “My loyalty” suggests that her husband and her father took away her loyalty and treated her unfairly. Naheed is aware that she has the right to achieve her “loyalty” again.
In the fifth stanza the poet uses the words “bunny chows” to convey the masses (blacks) poor lifestyle in the “working man’s cafe.” “Bunny chows” was cheap at the time and a common local snack of a poor man’s hamburger; it is a stark contrast with “haute cuisine.” In the restaurant there are “plastic table’s top,” this suggests the poor lifestyle the masses had. The “plastic table’s top” suggests that there is no tablecloth and they felt incomplete, empty and it must have been uncomfortable to eat on. “Wipe your fingers on your jeans” gives the impression that there is nowhere to wash one’s hands after eating or a tissue to wipe hands. Afrika uses direct imagery to show the life of the masses (blacks.)
Kishwar suggests that women do not have self respect. This is evident in “The woman on the poster half naked.” Naheed is commenting on how men view women as objects or for sexual pleasure. She wants this view to change. The tone “No, no I am not that woman!” emphasises that Naheed is not a woman who is obedient, subservient and does not want to avoid any arguments or disagreements with anything the men verbalize. The repetition of “no” shows that she is certain on her actions and strongly disagrees with how many women in the Asian culture are living.
Afrika uses the words “boy again” to show that the appearance of District six brings back memories of his childhood when the Apartheid system existed. He does not feel independent as he feels like a “boy” and believes he is following the whites like how a child is with their parents. “Hands burn” emphasises his anger against the system and his urge to destroy the symbol of segregation. Afrika repeats the title “Nothing's changed” at the ending of the poem. He conveys that even though Apartheid has been Abolished, the masses (blacks) are still treated inferior. The final stanza shows his anger and disappointment of the economic division between the whites and the masses (blacks) and conveys that the society has not changed at all.
The layout of “Nothing’s changed” is set out in eight short lines in each of the six stanzas. The layout creates a sense of control as he is clear on what he is feeling and no sudden rage is introduced at any point in the poem. His anger increases gradually within each line. The poet makes his argument straight forward by emphasising his feelings in a calm manner. In the first stanza the use of imagery makes the reader feel as if they are ‘in the poet’s shoes.’ This makes it clear and easy to imagine how life was like for Tatumkhulu Afrika. This is illustrated in the words “Small round hard stones click under my heels.” It makes it easy to imagine the masses (blacks) unpleasant and unfortunate lifestyle.
The structure of “I am not that woman” is informal. The layout of the stanzas do not fit in a regular pattern and none of the words rhyme with each other. The free flowing structure shows how determined Naheed is about her argument. This conveys that nothing can change the way she is and nothing will hold her back. Even by the simple rules of poetry. It emphasises how infatuated she is towards emancipation. Furthermore, she is protesting about women having access to equal opportunities and rights as men; and women should not be treated as if they are worthless or disempowered. It is seen in the words “my loyalty.”
The tones between “Nothing’s changed” and “I am not that woman” are very different. Kishwar Naheed’s tone in “I am not that woman” is very calm, but firm. Her steady tone conveys that she has control over what is being said by repeatedly claiming “I not that woman.” Tatumkhulu Afrika’s tone contrasts compared to Naheeds. In “Nothing’s changed” the poet seems to be increasing his rage within each line as he sees more things that have not changed even though Apartheid was abolished. Moreover, he is feeling angry because he had not been to District six for many years.
In-conclusion, I believe that Kishwar Naheed in “I am not that woman” argument is stronger as the poem relates more to her lifestyle, cultural beliefs and traditional values about what she has experienced as a woman herself. Naheed clearly explains that wants equality between men and women. Moreover, she does not want to live a typical lifestyle of an asian; and leaves the reader in hope that there is a chance of change. However I believe that Tatumkhulu Afrika argument in “Nothing’s changed.” Is not as strong as Naheed’s as he leaves the reader feeling helpless and has not attempted to change his lifestyle as much as Naheed has in “nothing’s changed.” Afrika has allowed the whites to treat the masses (blacks) unfairly; because he was not as determined or eager as Naheed. He mainly just agreed how “nothing’s changed” however, Naheed believes that no one can stop or change her views. This is why I strongly believe Naheeds’s argument is more effective.
I believe that Naheed’s argument will become more powerful if the majority of women did not accept the cultural beliefs of a submissive Asian housewife and they were all determined to fight for equality. By women taking action as a group by giving their views and speaking; the men may realise that women are treated unfairly, and their lifestyle may change once they have taken action.