Talk to the Peach Tree-Sipho Sepamla
Talk to the Peach Tree-Sipho Sepamla
Poem
Poet
Sipho Sepamla
Form/ Structure
10 Stanzas
-9 stanzas of 2 lines
-Last stanza 3 lines
(message stands out)
Free Verse
Title Reference
Peach Tree was a place of gathering
Message
Awareness of harsh reality of Apartheid
Theme
Freedom of Speech
Rebellion
Freedom from Oppression
Mood
Apprehensive/ Anxious
Tone
Conversational
Cynical
Figurative devices
L1, 3, 15, 17& 20 Anaphora
L10 Alliteration
L11 Apostrophe
L15 Personification
L17 Personification
L20 Apostrophe
SUMMARY
The speaker wittily makes a series of rather odd (absurd, even) suggestions about with whom to discuss politics – from the birds, shadows, pets, the peach tree and the air itself. He ends the poem on a serious note and states that the “devil himself” should be addressed. This refers to the leaders of the Apartheid government.
ANALYSIS
LINES 1-6
Let's talk to the swallows visiting us in summer / ask how it is in other countries / Let's talk to the afternoon shadow /ask how the day has been so far / Let's raise our pets to our level / ask them what they don't know of us
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The literal actions are quite absurd: talking to pets, the afternoon shadow and pets. It is amusing to expect ‘our pets’ who have been raised to human level to be able to answer the serious question: what do you know of us?
The absurdity creates humour.
However, the underlying message is serious: what do youv(especially the whites) know about us? During Apartheid there was little or no opportunity to understand or communicate with people from other races. One group of people was always superior and had a ‘voice’, whilst the other had to remain silent.
​
LINES 7-10
words have lost meaning / like all notations they've been misused / most people will admit / a whining woman can overstate her case
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The lines are indented to show that these stanzas are commentaries and indicates a different. Also, the casual sounding repetitive ‘Let’s talk’ of the previous lines has been dropped. These words must be taken seriously.
He states that ‘words have lost their meaning’ – this means that talking has become useless. Attempts to negotiate change with the apartheid government had failed. Instead, more repressive measures had been introduced to suppress the Blacks.
‘Misused notations’ refers to communication tools which have become so warped that their original intentions have become lost. Words have literally lost their meaning. Language has been twisted and used to convey lies, propaganda and cannot be trusted.
‘Whining’ has negative connotations of high-pitched complaining, without valid reason. The words of line 10 are a reminder of the saying: ‘the lady doth protest too much’. By emotionally overdoing a statement (‘overstate her case’) the real meaning is lost and the words are felt to be insincere.
LINES 11-12
Talk to the paralysing heat in the air / inquire how long the mercilessness will last
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paralysing – implies that the oppression (the heat) renders a person unable to do anything. Also refers to their pain and suffering.
Merciless – emphasises the effects of apartheid: no empathy/mercy/compassion for the oppressed people.
This is symbolic of the position Black people were in during apartheid. They were prisoners in a harsh and unforgiving situation.
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LINES 13-14
Let's pick out items from the rubbish heap / ask how the stench is like down there
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The words ‘rubbish heap’, ‘stench’ and ‘down there’ relate to the way Black people were regarded by the authorities: rubbish that was to be thrown away, something that created a bad smell or ‘stench’. The tone is serious and the intention is to describe the reality of the situation of Black people.
​
LINES 15-16
Let's talk to the peach tree / find out how it feels to be in the ground
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The peach tree is rooted in a permanent place in the garden, unlike the other items/things he proposed with which to have a conversation. The tree will tell him how it feels to be rooted and fruitful in a place you can call your own. The connotation of rooted is permanence and fruitful implies productive and successful. The peach tree has land that it belongs to. Blacks did not have land; they were not even regarded as citizens. They have no sense of belonging.
​
LINES 17-18
Let's talk to the moon going down / ask if it isn't enough eyeing what's been going on
moon going down – the light of the moon will disappear as it ‘goes down’. This is symbolic of them losing hope.
The moon is personified. It is aware of their situation (eyeing). The setting of the moon will lead to daylight. Daylight is associated with a new day, new hope. Their situation is visible to the whole world but nobody has done anything to effectively change their situation. The new day does not bring new hope for them.
LINES 19-21
come on / let's talk to the devil himself /it's about time
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The lines are indented, just as lines 7-10 are, in order to make them stand out. The indents alert the reader to the fact that these lines are commentary on the overall situation.
come on – he is encouraging himself and others
devil – the oppressors / the Apartheid System
it’s about time – The time has come to speak directly to the powers who have been oppressing the Black people for too long.
There is a change in the tone in the last three lines. There is a sense of reluctance and helplessness – for so long there has been no communication. He knows that this conversation is long overdue and needs to happen to facilitate change. This could relate to the announcement that Nelson Mandela was going to be released.
Talking was a way to work for change, without physical injury. It was time for negotiations.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Explain the use of the word ‘stench’ in line 14.
The word 'stench' suggests a horrible, disgusting smell. This implies that the living conditions for people of colour were awful and inhumane during apartheid.
The people of colour were treated as lacking value/disposable. 'Stench' might also imply that the apartheid system was rotten and unbearable. (2)
Account for the repetition of the phrase, ‘Let’s talk’ throughout the poem.
The repetition creates a sense of urgency and indicates the speaker's strong desire for discussion. It emphasises the need for open communication and a peaceful resolution. It indicates the speaker's insistence on continuing the dialogue even though previous attempts at communication were futile. (2)
Identify the figure of speech use in line 11.
Metaphor/Personification (1)
Comment on the effectiveness of the image in lines 11-12.
The apartheid system is compared to 'paralysing heat’. The word, 'paralysing' indicates a lack of movement which refers to the restrictive apartheid laws; 'heat' emphasises the stifling oppressive nature of the apartheid system./The ‘mercilessness' of the oppressors is emphasised by the question of how long their callous treatment of people will have to be endured. This effectively conveys how the apartheid regime inflicted suffering on people of colour. (2)
Refer to lines 19-21: ‘come on/let’s ... it’s about time’.
Critically discuss how these lines convey the central message of the poem.
The final stanza conveys a sense of urgency /resignation/ cynicism and a realisation that for a resolution to be found, the oppressed will have to be courageous in overcoming their aversion to dealing with the apartheid government by conversing with 'the devil’. Despite the apparent futility in communicating with an oppressive system, there is no other option but to engage with the enemy. The blunt closing instruction highlights the inevitability of dialogue with the regime. (3)
What is the importance of the words ‘Let’s talk’ (line 1) in highlighting the message of the poem?
Under apartheid there was little or no opportunity to understand or communicate with other people. However, the negotiations that took place in the 1990s between the different political parties were ultimately successful, and South Africa became a democratic state in 1994. Talking, as opposed to violence, resulted in a total change in government. Talking has a positive connotation, alluding to a conversation. (2)
Account for the ‘swallows’ (line 1) being a good source of information about ‘other countries’ (line 2).
The ‘swallows’ represent/symbolise the visitors who come into the country, bringing news and information/new perspectives about South Africa, as this will assist the speaker to know what the sentiment is from people living outside of the country. The swallows can see a country without segregation. (2)
Comment on the appropriateness of the tone within the final stanza of the poem.
The tone could be one of relief that after a lengthy period, finally communication between the different parties is to take place.
OR
It can be a sense of reluctance and helplessness because the process of communication has taken so long. Even though this communication will be with the ‘devil himself (line 20), it needs to happen and is long overdue. It might also relate to the announcement that Mandela was going to be released. It creates a forceful conclusion: the time has come to speak directly to the powers that have been holding black people subject to their laws for too long: ‘it’s about time’.
OR
Brave for confronting their demons/oppressors.
[ONE mark for tone. TWO marks for discussion. ] (3)
Discuss why you think the speaker chooses to “talk to the peach tree” (line 15).
Consider the other “things” or concepts he talks to in the poem.
The peach tree is rooted in a permanent place (Shows ownership) in the garden, unlike the other items/things he proposes with which to have a conversation. The tree will tell him how it feels to be rooted and fruitful in a place you can call your own. The connotation of rooted is permanence and fruitful implies productive and successful/ this is what the poet wants for himself and others — to feel like they’re home, something they have been denied while under the apartheid regime. The peach tree symbolises strength and stability, the country will return to this when apartheid has ended.