Compare ‘Nothing’s Changed’ with ‘Limbo’
To begin with both poets illustrate their strong and seemingly passionate ideas about apartheid and bigotry towards their particular culture. Despite being conveyed differently as regards of techniques and tones it is clear that the themes are very similar as they both poem represent their feelings towards their culture. Afrika expresses his ideas by writing about the unchanged situation in South Africa despite the horrific incidents that occurred over the past 20 years. This is clearly displayed as the title “Nothing’s Changed” refers to not only the racial injustice but the political injustice and mind set of others -regarding apartheid. The sense of the unchanged mind set towards his culture
Also his tone is very melancholic as he uses words with vey negative connotation such as ‘dark’ and ‘night’, this is effective in getting his point across as the human brain already has a negative associated it these words therefore making it easier to understand.
Moreover both poets used interesting images within their poem to communicate their feeling about their culture. Within Nothing’s Changed Afrika uses various techniques. Firstly in stanza one he uses personification, describing the weeds as purple and amiable. By personifying something that is usually dull and unwanted it conveys his feelings as though weeds are somewhat the only thing he can relate to which is a very effective image in showing his point. Braithwaite also uses similes for example he says ‘limbo like me’ which could imply that he feels in between heaven and hell and strong indication to the reader of how the poet felt thus making this technique effective; especially as it was repeated as if a chorus.
In addition, each poet explores their cultures by including interesting sounds in their descriptions. C Case in point being Afrika’s use of onomatopoeia within the first stanza: “click”, “thrust”, “crunch”. This reminds us of sounds made whilst walking and he uses it to engage the reader which works effectively because onomatopoeia has the effect of enhancing the reader or listener's imagination. Similarly