‘Men in Chains’ by Mbyiseni Oswald Mtshali
Read the poem on page 229 of Seasons Come to Pass several times and then answer the
following questions. You should also reflect on the four additional questions that appear on
page 230 of the anthology.
1. What is the poem about? You should be able to describe this in simple terms (that is,
what happens) and you should be able to explain if there are any broader themes that
the poet might be exploring or social commentaries that he may be advancing.
2. Identify the punctuation in line 5 and explain its purpose.
3. A simile is used in lines 6-9 to describe the men. Write a paragraph in which you explain
which two things are being compared. Your paragraph should focus on specific words
and phrases I the poem, and you should explain the effect of the simile and how it
contributes to the broader point being made in the poem.
4. What is significant about lines 10-11? You should take note of the quotation marks at the
beginning of line 10 and the end of line 11: What does this punctuation convey? What is
the effect of these two lines and how do they contribute to our understanding of the men?
How do they support the main idea being advanced in the poem?
5. Identify and explain the figure of speech in line 16. You should be able to name the
particular literary device and then explain what two things are being compared. What
does this figure of speech tell us about the speaker’s fears for what might happen to
these men? How does this comparison advance the main idea in poem?
6. Identify two instances in the poem where the natural environment is described in order to
imagine the feelings of the men in chains. You should be able to discuss each instance
separately and then link them to the main ideas in the poem.
7. While the speaker appears to be describing a particular event, there is very little specific
information about the spatial and temporal contexts, the identity of the speaker, or the
men. What is the effect of this? Remember that this poem formed part of a growing body
of anti-apartheid poetry. How does the lack of specificity support the point that the poet is
trying to make?