AN AFRICAN THUNDERSTORM

UNDERSTADING THE POEM

Rubadiri’s poem captures the looming arrival of a fierce storm. The anticipation of its
arrival is both exciting and frightening. The wind is described as a mighty force,
unpredictable in its direction, and carrying with it ominous clouds. The strength of the
wind seems to suggest that worse is to follow once the storm hits.
The poem describes nature’s forces conspiring to bring this powerful storm, and then
narrows the focus to its effect on people in its path. The inhabitants of a village are seen
reacting to its approach, with the contrasting responses of children and mothers.
The village is clearly vulnerable to the force of the storm. The poem ends with the storm
almost breaking overhead as the flashes of lightning and crack of thunder arrive.

FORM AND STRUCTURE

The poem is divided into two parts which divide the content into the general and the
specific. The first part, made up of stanzas one and two, describes the storm as it
gathers momentum, and the third stanza describes its impact on human existence.
The irregular number of words on a line, with many single-word lines, captures the
unpredictable progress of the wind and the accompanying clouds. This technique is also
evident in the second part of the poem, where the frantic movement of the village
women as they ‘Dart about/In and out/Madly’ (lines 22 –24) is physically demonstrated
by the line divisions.
The description of ‘The Wind whistles by/And trees bend to let it pass’ in the second
stanza (line 14 –15) is almost exactly repeated in the third stanza, in lines 25 –26,
although ‘And’ has been replaced with ‘Whilst’ (line 26). The path of the storm has not
been diminished by the trees. In fact, the trees give way to allow it to progress
unhindered.

POETIC/LANGUAGE DEVICES
Rubadiri makes use of vivid imagery and figures of speech to convey the various
elements of the storm. Line 6 introduces the simile of the
approaching ‘plague of locusts’, underlining the appearance and potentially destructive
nature of the storm. It also locates the setting in Africa. The further simile comparing the
wind to a monster thrashing its tail about “like a madman chasing nothing’ (line 9)
emphasizes the unpredictable nature of the storm, which adds to its danger. The
description of the clouds ‘Gathering to perch on hills/Like dark sinister wings’ (lines 12-
13) makes the clouds reminiscent of some bird of prey waiting for the opportune
moment to strike.
The third stanza continues in its depiction of noise and movement as villagers anticipate
the storm’s arrival. We notice how the children react with ‘Screams’ (line 17) of delight,
possibly because of the thrill of potential danger. The women hurriedly attempt to
prepare for the storm, although it seems that their efforts may be pointless as the
‘Clothes wave like tattered flags’ (line 27), completely at the
mercy of the wind.
The poem ends with the storm breaking, but stops before it actually hits. The progress
of the ‘pelting march of the storm’ (line 33) tells the reader that this storm cannot be
stopped and will be a mighty one.

SOUND DEVICES
This poem utilizes sound effectively. Much use is made of onomatopoeia as the wind is
‘whirling’ (lines 7 and 19) and it ‘whistles’
(lines 14 and 25). The noise in the village has the screams of children competing with
‘the din of whirling wind’ (line 19). As the storm gets closer, its imminent arrival is
heralded by the onomatopoeia of the ‘Rumble, tremble, and crack’ (line 31) of the
thunder, and the impact of lightning striking the earth.

SUMMARY
The poem describes a typical African thunderstorm, with all its intensity. In African
society, rain is a blessing; everything loves the approach of rain, not just children. It is
good for the crops and the animals, as it increases the harvest.
However, in reading this poem, the feeling is that the author is not happy; he
concentrates on telling us about the damage that the rain and wind do. It calls attention
because the poet uses similes while referring to the wind that brings rain, a good thing.
Good has a negative side to it?

ANALYSIS
The persona describes the approach of the storm. The poem reminds us of the ominous
presence and unbridled power that is associated with an African thunderstorm.
This storm is however, characterized with anarchy, chaos, and disorder. The image of
locusts, madman, pregnant clouds, sinister wings, suggest the pandemonium that
comes with the rain.
It may have started as a mild wind but then it soon increased in velocity –whirling,
tossing and altering every aspect of the landscape it passed through; making its
presence profoundly felt. Its strange and insane mannerism cannot be easily
understood by all yet conversely, cannot be ignored either.
It seemed to fascinate and delight the innocent and perhaps the naïve who appeared
mesmerized by the sheer natural beauty of its rhythmic sounds and movements.
Its fury created unwelcomed cracks in the landscape and even after the storm had
marched on; it left a lingering ‘smell of fired smoke’ in the air.
In stanza two, he goes to the reaction of the people notably the children and women.
The former are happy and the latter are apprehensive to the approaching storm.
The last stanza deals with the storm and the anticipated chaos comes to be true as
reflected in the choice of words like “Rumble, tremble and crack”. The dominant image
here is kinetic because even though the poet seems to focus on the destructive power
of an African thunderstorm, this effect can only be actualized if there is some motion,
some movement.
It must also be emphasized that that poem is not all about the destructive power of the
elements. There is something of the African community and how it responds to natural
disasters.
It is possible to interpret the poem as the effect of colonial domination on the native
land. The time that the poet has lived –his country got independent in the early 1960’s –
can be convincing. He was familiar with that part of the history of his country. It also
alludes to domination by such words as “trees bend to let the wind pass”, “clouds ride
stately on the back of the wind”. The tattered flags have a nationalistic connotation.
It is important to know as much as possible about the historical context in which the
poet lived. Rubadiri fell out with his president a year after his appointment as
ambassador.
Is he talking about the repressive rule of African leaders?
Is he referring to colonial rule and the destruction that resulted in African society?
Is it merely a descriptive poem of a unique weather event?

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Q: Compare the different reactions of the children and the adults in the village to the
approaching storm.
A: The children are excited and delighted at the imminent storm, while the adults rush
about fearfully trying to prepare defenses against the storm.

Q: Quote an image from the poem that suggests the danger and destructive qualities of
the coming storm.
A: ‘Like a plague of locusts’ (line 6) or ‘Like dark sinister wings’ (line 13).

Q: Contrast the different ways in which the wind and the clouds in the storm build up.
Does the speaker portray these elements as equally powerful?
A: No. At the outset, the wind is definitely the more powerful of the
elements, as the winds seems to drag the clouds along, as if taking the initiative and
being the leader. The ‘Pregnant clouds/ Ride stately’ (lines 10-11) on the back of the
wind, so again the wind seems to have the edge.

Q: Do their roles change as the storm approaches? Discuss fully, supporting your
answer with evidence from the poem.
A: The way the clouds perch on hills ‘Like dark sinister wings’ (line 13) as if waiting their
moment is ominous. At this stage the clouds seem more threatening. The wind makes a
lot of noise and announces the coming storm, but the real danger comes along with
those clouds. The wind ‘whistles by’ (lines 14, 25) but it is allowed to pass, whereas it is
the ‘blinding flashes’ (line 30) that pose the real danger.

Q: Comment on how the form of this poem enhances its content. Note the structure of
the stanzas and lines, particularly.
A: The contrasting content is reflected in the division into three stanzas. The first and
second stanzas describe the coming storm and its build up, while the third stanza turns
to the effect of the storm on human existence. The form of the line arrangements also
contributes to the impact of the content: The irregular line lengths and one-word lines
capture the unpredictable nature of the storm as it changes direction erratically, speeds
up, stalls and lingers.
Q: Do you think the poem ends effectively? Should the speaker not have described the
impact of the storm on the people and the village, or the storm’s aftermath? Evaluate
the poet’s intentions in this poem, and say whether you believe they were effectively
realized or not.
A: The poem follows the build-up of the storm and culminates in its explosive release.
This is most effective as the tension builds and the scene is set. It seems evident that
this was the purpose of the poet as to describe the aftermath of the storm would be a
different poem entirely.

ESSAY QUESTION:
By close reference to the use of sound devices, figurative language and setting, write an
essay in which you examine how successfully the poem paints a picture of an
approaching storm.
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
The reference to ‘locusts’ (line 6), the inhabitants of the ‘village’ (line 16) where the
women ‘Babies clinging on their backs’ (line 21), the electric ferocity of the approaching
storm and the title all tell us that the poem is set in Africa, a rural area.
The poem contrasts the scene out in the open area with its impact on the unfortunate
villagers in its path. The structure of the poem reflects this changing focus as the
stanzas hone in on the two settings.
The figurative language contributes to the vivid scene of the approaching storm. The
movement of the wind, with its co-conspirator, the clouds, is metaphorically compared to
some wild creature as it makes its scurried journey: It dashes ‘here and there’ (line 5),
‘Turning/Sharply’ (line 3-4), ‘Whirling’ (line 7) and ‘Tossing up things on its tail’ (line 8).
The simile comparing the progress of the wind and clouds to the ravenous ‘plague of
locusts’ (line 6) gives the wind a destructive power. The simile comparing the wind to a
‘madman chasing nothing’ (line 9) implies its unpredictable, dangerous quality.
The personified heavy clouds seem ‘Pregnant’ (line 10) and ‘ride stately on its back’
(line 11); then perch on hills like predatory bids with their ‘dark sinister wings’ (line 13),
waiting for the opportune moment to strike. The trees in the wind’s path ‘bend to let it
pass’ (line 15) as if bowing to a superior being.
The clothes hung out to dry on a line, or the women’s clothing as they prepare for the
onslaught, ‘wave like tattered flags’ (line 27) in the face of the wind’s strength, and
expose vulnerable flesh in the process. This simile creates a vivid impact
Adding to the imagery in the poem is the poet’s use of sound. The onomatopoeic
‘whirling’ of the wind as it ‘whistles by’ (line 14) is answered by the ‘Screams’ (line 17) of
children giddy with the excitement of the looming storm and its accompanying ‘din’ (line
19).
The onomatopoeia of the ‘Rumble, tremble, and crack’ (line 31) of the lightning strikes
and thunder adds to the scene as the ‘pelting march’ (line 33) of the storm begins.

AFRICAN THUNDERSTORM
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
1.
Find a synonym from the poem for each of the following:
1.1 grasshoppers, locusts
1.2 dignified, imposing, stately
1.3 greatly pleased, happy, delighted
1.4 a jerking, or throwing, or spinning movement or action, toss
1.5 evil looking, ominous, threatening, sinister
1.6 a fast turning movement, whirling
1.7 to come to rest after flying, to perch
1.8 sudden, quick forward movement, dart
1.9 worn out, torn, tattered
1.10 a loud continuous noise, din
1.11 to hang and sway loosely, dangling
1.12 to fall down heavily and quickly, pelting
1.13 low, dull, rolling sound, rumble
1.14 having a rough, uneven edge, jaggered
1.15 to leave unprotected, to display, expose
2.
Choose the incorrect answer:
The word PLAGUE (line 6) means:
a) a quick-spreading, quick-killing disease
b) a large harmful or uncontrollable number
c) to cause continual bother or irritation
d) an affliction regarded as divine punishment
3.
Identify and explain the figure of speech occurring in line 6. “Like a plague of locusts”
Simile
The clouds brought by the wind are compared to an unusual infestation of grasshoppers
that destroy and devour everything that comes in their way.
Thus, the approaching storm is associated with destruction and danger.
4.
Identify and explain the figure of speech occurring in line 9.“like a madman chasing
nothing.”
Simile
This simile comparing the wind to a monster thrashing its tail about “like a madman
chasing nothing”(line 9) emphasizes the unpredictable nature of the storm, which adds
to its danger.
5.1
What figure of speech occurs in “pregnant clouds”?
Metaphor
5.2 What does it tell us about the clouds?
That the clouds are heavy and brim full with water, drops of rain –and ready to release
Or give birth to their heavy load.
6.1
Who / what “Rides stately on its back”?
The clouds are personified as someone riding on the back of the wind.
6.2
What does ‘’its’’ (line 11), refer to?
The wind.
7.1
What is “gathering”?
The clouds are coming together, assembling, accumulating on the hills.
7.2
Why is the use of the word “perch” in line 12, effective?
The word perch is effective as it refers to a bird coming in to rest after having flown for
some time. In the same way the clouds are settling on the hills where they will release
their heavy loads of water.
8.
Why are the clouds compared to “dark sinister wings”?
‘Gathering to perch on hills/Like dark sinister wings’ (lines 12 –13) makes the clouds
reminiscent of some bird of prey waiting for the opportune moment to strike. The
thunder clouds appear to be “dark” due to their dark blue, grey colour. “Sinister”
suggests that the clouds appear to be evil-looking, wicked, threatening and frightening.
Simile
9.
How do the babies experience the approaching storm?
The babies appear to be terrified, they are “clinging” to their mothers’ backs. The babies
are grasping their mothers’ backs. It is almost as if they are stuck or glued to their
backs.
10.
How do the women react? In your own answer refer specifically to the words “dart”
and “madly”
The women are also terrified. They ran for shelter and safety. “Dart” suggests a sudden,
rapid movement. “Madly” implies that the mothers ran in a disorderly and irrational
manner.
These words suggest that the mothers scurried/hurried quickly, disorderly and terrified
in all directions in an attempt to find safety before the storm hits.
11.
What figure of speech occurs in “Whilst trees bend to let it pass”?
Personification.
12
Explain line 26 in your own words.
The trees appear to be bowing in front of the wind, showing it respect, allowing it to
pass without putting up a fight/showing no resistance.
This obviously refers to the trees being bent over by the force/strength of the wind
13.What figure of speech occurs in the last line of this poem?
Metaphor.