Introduction on The poem "Black woman" by Léopold Sédar Senghor - SS1 Literature Lesson Note

Background and setting of the poet/poem

Léopold Sédar Senghor (1906-2001) was a Senegalese poet, philosopher, and politician. He is considered one of the founders of the Négritude movement, which celebrated African culture and identity. Senghor wrote the poem "Black Woman" in 1945, while he was living in Paris, France. He was inspired to write the poem by his admiration for African women and their beauty.

Background of the poem-subject-matter/summary

The poem "Black Woman" is a celebration of the beauty, strength, and resilience of Black women. Senghor begins the poem by describing the woman's physical features, comparing her to a "statue of ebony" with "eyes like torches." He then goes on to praise her strength and resilience, comparing her to a "tower of ivory" and a "fortress of strength."

In the second stanza of the poem, Senghor praises the woman's fertility and her ability to give life. He compares her to a "field of corn" and a "river of life." Senghor also praises the woman's wisdom and intelligence, comparing her to a "library of ancestral knowledge."

The poem ends with a declaration of love for the Black woman. Senghor tells her that he loves her "more than words can say." He also tells her that she is "the source of all my life."

Effective use of poetic devices/Techniques

Senghor uses a number of poetic devices in "Black Woman," including:

Personification: Senghor compares the woman to various natural objects, such as a "field of corn," a "river of life," and a "library of ancestral knowledge." This helps to create a sense of connection between the woman and the natural world.
Alliteration: Senghor uses alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words, to create a sense of rhythm and flow to the poem. For example, in the line "Your nakedness fills my nights," the repetition of the "n" sound creates a sense of sensuality and intimacy.
Assonance: Senghor also uses assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, to create a sense of rhythm and flow to the poem. For example, in the line "Your beauty, the beauty of life itself," the repetition of the "i" sound creates a sense of lightness and joy.
Metaphor: Senghor uses metaphors to compare the woman to various things, such as a "statue of ebony" and a "tower of ivory." This helps to create a strong impression on the reader and to emphasize the woman's beauty and strength.

Effective use of Imagery/symbolism

Senghor uses a number of vivid images and symbols in "Black Woman." For example, he compares the woman's skin to "velvet" and her breasts to "towers of ivory." These images help to create a sense of the woman's beauty and sensuality.

Senghor also uses the symbol of the sun to represent the woman's power and life-giving force. In the first stanza of the poem, he writes, "Daughter of the sun / My night, my moon / My continent." This suggests that the woman is a source of light and life for the poet.

Themes of the poetry

The main themes of the poem "Black Woman" are:

Celebration of Black beauty and identity: Senghor celebrates the beauty and strength of Black women in the poem. He challenges the negative stereotypes that are often associated with Black women and instead emphasizes their positive qualities.
Connection to the natural world: Senghor compares the Black woman to various natural objects, such as a "field of corn" and a "river of life." This suggests that the Black woman is deeply connected to the natural world and that she is a source of life and fertility.
Love and appreciation: The poem ends with a declaration of love for the Black woman. Senghor tells her that he loves her "more than words can say" and that she is the source of all his life." This suggests that the Black woman is worthy of love and respect.
Overall, "Black Woman" is a powerful and moving poem that celebrates the beauty, strength, and resilience of Black women. The poem is a reminder that Black women are not only objects of beauty, but also powerful and intelligent individuals who deserve to be celebrated and respected.