What are the major themes in Song of Lawino?
3 Answers. One of the major themes in Okot p’ Bitek’s, Song of Lawino, is that of tradition versus modernization….. the loss of culture at the expense of progress. On the one hand, Ocol has a negative view of Africans and their culture. He believes that tradition is holding back the people.
What does the Song of Lawino talk about?
Song of Lawino is a poem about an African woman’s cry against her husband’s abandonment of the past in favour of western traditions. The poem is an extended appeal from Lawino to Ocol to stay true to his own customs, and to abandon his ‘desire to be white.
What is the conflict between OCOL and Lawino?
Another conflict between Lawino and Ocol is that Ocol does not like Lawino anymore for she is an illiterate. He says that Lawino is not educated. (SOL, P. 88).
What is Ocol song?
Song of Lawino and Song of Ocol are among the most successful African literary works. Song of Lawino is an African woman’s lamentation over the cultural death of her western educated husband – Ocol. In Song of Ocol the husband tries to justify his cultural apostasy.
What was the main cause of conflict in Song of Lawino?
Roseline Maucha westernization which alienated Africans from their culture. This can be seen from lawino’s useof language of exaggeration when she talks about the woman with whom she shares her husband. Also when Lawino says that Ocol hates black people and calls Lawino’s mother a witch.
What form of literary genre is Song of Lawino?
Epic poetry
Song of Lawino
| Author | Okot p’Bitek |
|---|---|
| Country | Uganda |
| Subject | Post-colonialism |
| Genre | Epic poetry, World literature |
| Publication date | 1966 |
What form of literary genre is song of Lawino?
What is the setting of Song of Lawino?
Two poems set in Uganda in the 1960s; Song of Lawino written in Acoli (as Werpa Lawino), translated and published in English in 1966; Song of Ocol written in English, published in 1967. An estranged couple speak of their marital difficulties, which encapsulate the social problems of postcolonial Africa.
What form of literary genre is song of lawino?
What is the structure of the poem Song of Lawino?
Song of Lawino and Song of Ocol is divided into two major sections, both of which are further subdivided—Song of Lawino into thirteen verse “chapters,” Song of Ocol into nine. Each chapter revolves around a certain argument, but only loosely; the poet allows his speakers to digress into long, lyrical asides.
What is the tone of Song of Lawino?
Song of Lawino is a debate about moral norms and shared assumptions between satirist and audience. It is satirical comment on the neo-colonial mentality of the African petty bourgeoisie, the intellectuals and political leaders of Africa.
What is the character of Lawino?
The two main characters are Lawino and Ocol. Lawino stands for African culture while Ocol stands for the westernized culture. Lawino is concerned that Ocol does not appreciate his cultural values and is influenced by the western culture.
What are the themes of songs of Lawino and ocol?
The following are the themes found from Songs of Lawino and Ocol. The poet portrays African beliefs like: Making sacrifices to the ancestors as the way of eradicating diseases. Believing on the power of ancestors, spirits and gods. They also believe that priests and diviners can tell the cause of disease.
What are the differences between Lawino and ocol?
Lawino and Ocol belong to acoli tribe of Northern Uganda, thus they present any other African husbands and wives. Ocol is educated as he poses a university degree while Lawino is not educated. In this case Ocol up hold western civilizations while Lawino is an upholder of African ways of life.
Why did Ocol despise his wife Lawino?
Personal conflict. Under this type of conflict, the poet portrays that there is misunderstanding between people as listed here below; Ocol vs Lawino: Ocol despises his wife Lawino, her relatives by regarding them un educated, he also considers them primitive, pagan and superstitious.