Themes and Style of the Poem "The Leader and the Led" by Niyi Osundare - SS2 Literature Lesson Note

Themes and Style of the Poem "The Leader and the Led" by Niyi Osundare

Themes

• Leadership: The poem explores the challenges of finding good leaders, both in Africa and in the world at large. The animals in the poem represent different types of leaders, but none of them are ultimately qualified for the position. This suggests that there is no easy answer to the question of what makes a good leader.
• Followership: The poem also explores the role of followers in a society. The animals in the poem are hesitant to follow any of the leaders who come forward, suggesting that followers also have a responsibility to choose their leaders wisely.
• Satire: The poem is written in a satirical style, meaning that Osundare uses humor and irony to criticize the flaws of the different animals who are vying for the leadership position. The satire is effective because it helps to expose the hypocrisy and absurdity of these animals.
• Symbolism: The poem is also rich in symbolism. The forest represents Africa, and the different animals represent different types of leaders. For example, the lion represents a strong and powerful leader, while the hyena represents a cunning and opportunistic leader. The symbolism helps to make the poem more meaningful and thought-provoking.

Style

The poem is written in free verse, meaning that it does not follow a regular rhyme scheme or meter. This gives Osundare the freedom to express himself in a more natural and flowing way. He also uses a variety of poetic devices, such as personification, metaphor, and simile, to create a vivid and evocative picture of the forest setting and the animals who inhabit it.

Analysis

The poem "The Leader and the Led" is a complex and multi-layered poem that can be interpreted in many different ways. On one level, it is a satirical commentary on the state of leadership in Africa. However, the poem can also be read as a more general meditation on the challenges of leadership and followership in any society.

The poem's use of symbolism is particularly effective. The forest represents Africa, and the different animals represent different types of leaders. This symbolism allows Osundare to explore the complex relationship between leaders and followers in a way that is both specific to Africa and universal.

Relating the Themes to Personal Life Encounter

The themes of leadership and followership are relevant to everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. We all experience leadership and followership in our personal lives, both at work and at home.

For example, we may have to choose a leader for a group project at work, or we may have to decide who to vote for in an election. In these situations, we need to be critical thinkers and choose leaders who we believe will be fair and effective.

We also need to be aware of our own role as followers. We need to be supportive of our leaders, but we also need to be willing to challenge them when necessary. Ultimately, we are all responsible for the choices that our leaders make.

Here is a personal example of how I have experienced the themes of leadership and followership in my own life:

In high school, I was the captain of the debate team. I was responsible for leading the team to victory, but I also had to rely on my teammates to be prepared and to work hard. I learned that good leadership is not about being bossy or controlling. It is about being able to motivate and inspire others to work towards a common goal.

I also learned that it is important to be a good follower. I needed to be willing to listen to my teammates' ideas and to support them in their efforts. I also needed to be willing to admit when I was wrong and to learn from my mistakes.

The experience of being a leader and a follower on the debate team taught me valuable lessons about leadership and followership. These lessons have been helpful to me in both my personal and professional life.

I encourage you to think about how the themes of leadership and followership have played out in your own life. What are some of the challenges and rewards that you have experienced? How have these experiences shaped your views on leadership and followership?