The Awakening Age Exercise Class 12 English: Question Answers | Ben Okri

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             Section 2: Literature (Poems)

    The Awakening Age Exercise | Ben Okri 

  Summary | Exercise (Question Answers)

                Class 12 English Guide

The Awakening Age by Ben Okri

Today I’m here with the fourth short poem for Class 12 in this article. From an exam point of view, this poem is very important, so I kindly request you to read full article. Without further delay, let’s dive into our important poem. 

MAIN INTRODUCTION 

The Awakening Age by Ben Okri

Short introduction of the poem "The Awakening Age" by Ben Okri.

"The Awakening Age" is an inspirational and hopeful sonnet composed by one of Nigeria’s popular poets, Ben Okri, in 1991. It was published in his collection "A Way of Being Free" in 1997. This poem is about the hardships faced by African people, especially southern and northern Nigerians. Here, the poet calls for unity, peace, and solidarity among Nigerians who are fragmented. The poem highlights themes like hope, unity and the beginning of a new era.

BACKGROUND OF THE POEM  

Now, let’s talk about the background of this poem. The background of the poem is connected to the Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafran War, which took place from 1967 to 1970. This war was fought between the federal government of northern Nigeria and the Igbo-dominated Biafran Republic in the southeastern region. After Biafra declared independence, ethnic tensions escalated, and the war broke out due to control over oil resources and political instability. During this brutal Nigerian Civil War, Nigerian people faced poverty, starvation, and violence. Over a million Nigerians lost their lives during this war, especially young children who died due to starvation.

ABOUT THE POEM 

Today’s poem, "The Awakening Age", which means the era of awakening, is a highly inspiring and optimistic poem. It’s a short sonnet written by a famous Nigerian poet, Ben Okri, in 1991. This poem was published in 1997 in Ben Okri’s essay collection titled "A Way of Being Free".

Ben Okri wrote this poem remembering the pain of the Igbo community. Through this poem, he expresses hope for peace and unity among all Nigerians after the war.

NARRATION  

Talking about the narration, we find a collective, inspiring voice created by Ben Okri, which represents the shared hope and unity of Nigerians or African people.

SETTING  

Regarding the setting, the poem depicts war-torn zones of Nigeria where Nigerians suffered greatly. This setting reflects both the pain of war and the hope for peace. 

MAIN THEMES 

Now, talking about the main themes, this poem contains several key themes such as unity, hope, and the beginning of a new era. Ben Okri inspires all Nigerians to move forward together after the war, which is extremely important in the post-war context.

MAIN MESSAGE  

As for the main message, this poem conveys a very significant message: we must all unite and choose the path of peace and prosperity.

WRITING TECHNIQUE  

In terms of writing technique, the poem consists of 14 lines, making it an important sonnet. Each stanza contains two lines, known as couplets, which rhyme. If we look at the rhyming scheme, we find rhyming words like “line-sign” “rage-age” and “hope-rope” at the end of every two lines. These rhyming words continue throughout the stanzas. The rhyming scheme of the poem is AABBCCDD… and so on, up to GG. 

SUMMARY

Now, let’s move on to the summary of this poem. In the summary today, I’ll provide a line-by-line translation and analysis of the poem for you. In every line of this poem, we find the poet’s deep hope.

First Stanza

In the first stanza, it says: "O ye who travel the meridian line, 

May the vision of a new world within you shine"

This stanza refers to Nigerians who are divided due to the war, or we can call them fragmented Nigerians. The “meridian line” symbolizes the division between southern and northern Nigerians caused by the war. The “new world” mentioned here is a world of peace and prosperity, which is the hope of all Nigerians. This stanza shows the dream of liberation from the pain of war. According to the poem’s speaker, Nigerians suffering along the meridian line due to war should have the vision of a new world - a world of unity and peace where there is no suffering or war, only unity and peace. This stanza presents a deep sense of hope. 

Second Stanza

In the second stanza, it says: “May eyes that have lived with poverty's rage,

See through to the glory of the awakening age".

In Nigeria, poverty created a terrible situation. Since Nigerians suffered from war and starvation, they spent their time in the rage of poverty. Here, the poet hopes that all Nigerians see the glory of the awakening age.

The “Awakening Age” refers to a transformative era of hope, unity and progress for Nigerians who suffered poverty’s pain. This era is one of hope, unity and progress. We find the hope that Nigerians’ painful lives will transform in this era.

Third Stanza 

In the third stanza, it says: "For we are all richly linked in hope,

Woven in history, like a mountain rope".

This stanza presents the strong hope of all Nigerians. They are bound by strong hope, strengthened by their history. Nigerians are connected by hope and history, and their hope is compared to a strong mountain rope. This stanza highlights the power of their unity. Even the terrifying pain of war couldn’t weaken their hope. It reflects both the strength of history and the courage of Nigerians.

Fourth Stanza 

In the fourth stanza, it says: "Together we can ascend to a new height,

Guided by our heart's clearest light".

This stanza presents hope for Nigerians’ unity, progress and positive thinking. If Nigerians move forward together, they can reach the peak of prosperity, and their lives can see great progress. Positive thinking is necessary to achieve this, and with unity and positive thinking, they can reach the height of prosperity.

Fifth Stanza

In the fifth stanza, it says: “When perceptions are changed there's much to gain,

A flowering of truth instead of pain".

This stanza emphasizes that new perceptions bring benefits and the growth of truth. If Nigerians change their war-related perceptions or thoughts, pain can be replaced by progress, benefits, and truth. The flower of truth can bloom in their lives, making their lives progress-oriented. This stanza strongly emphasizes changing perceptions to make life beneficial.

Sixth Stanza 

In the sixth stanza, it says: "There's more to a people than their poverty;

There's their work, wisdom, and creativity".

This stanza presents Nigerians as new people in a new era, moving forward with many things. In this new era, Nigerians will have their work, wisdom and creativity. They will not have poverty but essential things. In this new era, Nigerians will prosper. If they move forward united, they will benefit in the new era with various works, wisdom and creative efforts.

Seventh Stanza 

In the seventh and final stanza, it says: "Along the line may our lives rhyme,

To make a loving harvest of space and time".

This stanza expresses the hope that peace and love prevail in Nigerians’ lives. In the new era, unity and love will bring a harvest of peace and happiness in their lives. The power of love will build a new, loving society. This stanza highlights the importance of love and peace, which is essential for all Nigerians.

In this way, Ben Okri’s sonnet presents the power of hope and unity even after war. Remembering Nigerians’ pain, Ben Okri expresses his deep wish for all Nigerians to unite. 

SHORT SUMMARY 

The Awakening Age by Ben Okri

Write a short summary of the poem "The Awakening Age" by Ben Okri. 

The poem "The Awakening Age" by Ben Okri is a poem of hope. Here in this poem, the poet has wished for all the miserable Nigerians who had been fragmented due to the devastating civil war that lasted for three crucial years.

Here in this poem, the poet is wishing for their well-being after the outbreak of civil peace, a time for all to enter a new world of the awakening age.

The poet wishes for all these miserable and fragmented Nigerian people that they may have a vision of a new world - a world of hope, prosperity, unity, truth, wisdom and creativity. He also wishes for them that they may experience the glory of the awakening age beyond their poverty rage. Here, by the awakening age, he refers to the age of enlightenment, where there is peace, prosperity, liberation, joy, unity and harmony among people.

The poet has presented a suitable new world in the awakening age for all of them. He makes a call for all the Nigerians' hope to move further. For him, Nigerians are quite rich in their hopes, and these hopes have connected them firmly to history. Next, he makes a call for their unity as well as solidarity to reach a new height of prosperity with positivity in their hearts. He also makes a call for their perceptions to change with truthfulness in a new world to gain much in their lives away from problems and pains. He talks about the new world of the awakening age, where all these people have a chance to get jobs, wisdom and creativity beyond their poverty. In this state, their lives will be joyful, and they will be able to gain better in the time and space of the new world.

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 

The Awakening Age by Ben Okri

The Awakening Age Exercise

BEFORE READING 

Discuss the following questions:

a. Why do you think people from your country migrate to another country? 

Answer: 

I think people from my country migrate to another country to find better opportunities, especially in the matter of education, jobs, earnings and a better life.

b. Do people from other countries migrate to your country? Why?

Answer: 

No, people from other countries don't migrate to my country because there is no opportunity for people to uplift their living standards.

UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT 

Answer the following questions:

a. Who are the people ‘who travel the meridian line’?

Answer:

The people 'who travel the meridian line' are those Nigerian people who have been divided into two sects, the south and the north, due to the devastating civil war. These people have travelled a long path of hunger, poverty, unemployment and other aspects of their lives during their survival in fragmentation.

b. What does the poet mean by ‘a new world’? 

Answer: 

By 'a new world', the poet means a fine world, which is a world of hope, prosperity, unity, truth, wisdom and creativity. This is the world of united Nigeria that people have experienced after the outbreak of civil peace in Nigeria.

c. How are people connected to each other?

Answer: 

People are connected to each other with hope from history. They are quite strong in their hopes. Due to this firm hope, they can rise to the heights of a prosperous and united nation with positivity and wisdom.

d. What can we gain after our perceptions are changed? 

Answer: 

We can gain a variety of things after our perceptions are changed. Through changed perceptions, we can gain truthfulness away from problems and pains. When our perceptions are changed, we will be able to gain unity, truth, prosperity, work, wisdom and creativity.

e. How are we benefited by new people? 

Answer:

We are benefited by new people by their support in various aspects. Our unity with them leads us towards a prosperous state. They support us to reach a new height where there is positivity in our hearts, truthfulness in our perceptions, working environment with wisdom and creativity.

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f. Describe the rhyme scheme of this sonnet.

Answer:

There are altogether seven different stanzas that contain fourteen lines. Every stanza has two lines (couplets). The rhyme scheme of this sonnet is simple and sonorous, which provides a rhythmic tone. Every stanza has a rhyming couplet. For example, AA, BB, CC, DD, EE, FF, and GG

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REFERENCE TO THE CONTEXT 

a. What does the poet mean by ‘the awakening age’? 

Answer:

By 'the awakening age', the poet means an age of African people's recognition, realisation or coming into awareness of their condition and the beginning of their new world. This is the age of enlightenment, where there is peace, prosperity, liberation, joy, unity and harmony among people. This age appears just after the bloody civil war in Nigeria.

b. Why, in your view, have these people ‘lived with poverty’s rage’?

Answer:

In my view, these people have 'lived with poverty's rage' because they involved themselves in the bloody civil war for continuously three crucial years. During that time, millions of people, especially children, died of starvation. They were concerned more with fighting for various internal issues regarding religion, culture, political ideology, ethnicity etc. ignoring the sufferings of common Nigerians.

c. Why does the poet appeal for solidarity among the people? 

Answer:

The poet appeals for solidarity among people because he wants to see all the miserable Nigerians reach a new height of prosperity in a new world - a world of hope, prosperity, unity, truth, wisdom and creativity. He believes that solidarity among people can only lead them towards perfection and prosperity.

d. Does the poet present migration in a positive light? Why? Why not?

Answer:

Yes, the poet presents migration in a positive light because he has presented this migration with immense positive hopes as well as good wishes. This isn't a physical migration of people, but a migration of their state from one level to another through the means of awakening. The poet wants to see all of them united, prosperous, truthful, wise and creative in a new world of awakening age away from the concept of miseries.

e. Nepal is also known for its economic as well as educational migrants. Have you noticed any change in the perceptions and behaviours of these migrants when they return home from abroad?

Answer:

Yes, I have noticed various changes in the perceptions and behaviours of these migrants when they return home from abroad. Migrants return home with immense joy in their minds and hearts. They feel extremely happy to step into their motherland. They have good financial status and knowledge related to their foreign lives. They try to show their imposing attitude towards others. They try to be a bit more standard and civilised than others. They try to expose themselves as if they are of high social status. After spending some days in Nepal, they start talking rubbish about their own country regarding jobs and opportunities. But some people wish to stay in their motherland and do business in their own country. People's perceptions and behaviours change according to their own experiences of the time and situations they have spent or faced. Most of them wish to go to foreign lands again and again. Some of them wish to stay in Nepal and try to apply their skills for the development of their nation as well as their people. Some migrants try to reveal their experiences in foreign lands to others. They try to work for the welfare as well as the development of people and the nation.

f. Relate the rhyme scheme of this sonnet to the kind of life idealized by the poet.

Answer:

This poem, "The Awakening Age" by Ben Okri, is a poem of hope where we find the rhyme scheme of AA BB CC DD EE FF and GG. Every couplet of seven different stanzas is perfect in its rhyme as well as its meaning. With the help of the rhyme scheme of the poem, the poet presents the idealised lives of Nigerian people in a new world of the awakening age. All these rhyming words at the end of couplets have a direct connection with the Nigerian people's lives and their ideal way of living, along with wisdom, realisation, hope, prosperity, truth, opportunities and joy. His wonderful rhyming scheme has perfectly presented his hopes as well as wishes regarding the ideal life of Nigerian people in a new world.

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 REFERENCE BEYOND THE TEXT 

Write an essay on 'The Impacts of Migration on Nepali Society'.

Answer:

  The Impacts of Migration on Nepali Society 

In recent days, migration in Nepal has been a lot more on trend. Most Nepalese people are on the way to migration. People are seen migrating at both levels as internal migration and external migration. People are migrating to urban areas within the country and also to foreign lands. The sole cause behind their migration is to seek better living standards as well as opportunities. Nowadays, it is quite difficult to find youth manpower in the country. Most of the youths of Nepal have moved to foreign lands in the name of education and jobs and settled their lives there. The rural areas are facing a lack of youth. In most villages in Nepal, elderly people are living miserable lives. Most youths are spending their lives working in urban areas as well as in foreign lands. Nepali societies are facing very bad impacts due to this concept of migration. Following are some of the bad impacts of migration on Nepali society:

1. The number of youths is decreasing rapidly.

2. Most Nepalese societies are facing a lack of youth manpower.

3. The relationship between people is becoming weaker.

5. In most societies in Nepal, elderly people are spending their lonely lives in a very miserable state.

6. Due to the lack of people in societies, people are experiencing loneliness during festivals.

7. There is no sense of love, affection, care, cooperation, security, peace and harmony among the people of societies.

8. Due to the lack of people, the development of societies has decreased.

9. The prime concept of humanity itself is a question mark.

10. People are seen away from relationships, and selfishness among people is seen.

11. The birth rate has also decreased dramatically.

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