Pego ya patlisiso ya leboko la Tautona Ngaka Quett Masire [Setswana]

Abstract

This dissertation focuses on an analysis of the poem Tautona Ngaka Quett Masire printed in P. Seloma's An Analysis of the Poetry of Praise and Exhortation in Setswana (1990). The main objective of the investigation is to apply an adapted narratological model which states that there are three operational levels to a literary text, namely the content level, the plot level and the style level. The discussion poem Tautona Ngaka Quett Masire is based on these three levels. The methodological framework of the discussion is based on two main concepts namely the difference between defining and interpreting. It is strongly emphasized that these two concepts are used differently throughout the investigation since they are not synonymous in this discussion. . The content structure is discussed as having four elements, namely: characters, events, time and place. The characters are grouped into two categories namely the kind hearted person (Masire) and quarrelsome people (who are members of the opposition parties). These characters are discussed in relation to the following scheme: intention, patronage, resistance, assistance and success. They are also dealt within relation to each other and their special functions in the text. The setting in Tautona Ngaka Quett Masire is examined according to its two major aspects: time and place. Time at the content level is classified into three categories, namely: specific time, historical time and indefinite time. Place is divided into two categories which are the physical place of events and indefinite place (general locale). The plot structure is examined in respect of two major categories, namely the narrative plot and the poetic metre. In relation to the narrative plot, it is clear that events are controlled by the theme of the text, which is emphasized throughout the discussion. This poem Tautona Ngaka Quett Masire has also been discussed on the basis of the principles of plot: exposition, development, climax and denouement. Other important concepts of the plot structure include the design and the title. The techniques of the plot structure are also examined in this poem. With regard to poetic metre, the poem Tautona Ngaka Quett Masire is discussed using two rules: the rule of division and the rule of symmetrical harmony. The rule of division deals with metrical devices such as caesura, pause and enjambement, while that of symmetrical harmony concerns itself with the number of syllables, the number of penultimate summits and repetition. The discussion of the style of the poem deals with the mood and intention of the poet. In this discussion, diction as style markers and stylistic techniques are examined. It is clear that the poet Rabojalwa Keetile has used quite a number of stylistic techniques, the most frequently used being elision, conjunction and assonance. These techniques have been used to highlight the theme of the poem which is the need for modern development in Botswana.