Abstract
The paper shows that in Tsitsi Dangarembga?s "Nervous Conditions", both Nyasha and Tambu experience confusion about their own identity after enduring substantial influence from the English. Unlike Tambu?s veiled self-delusions, Nyasha?s confusion about her identity is painfully obvious. The paper shows that Toundi, in the novel "Houseboy" by Ferdinand Oyono, asks questions which reveal that his feelings mirror those confused feelings of Nyasha. The character Medza, from Mongo Beti's "Mission to Kala", can be seen as a binding example of identity-confusion for all of the previously mentioned characters. The paper looks at the opposite side of the spectrum, with the character Lawino from Okot p'Bitek's "Song of Lawino". In each of the stories discussed in the paper, a sense of identity plays a substantial role in the characterization of those affected by the European colonization.

From the Paper
"The character Medza, from Mission to Kala, can be seen as a binding example of identity-confusion for all of the previously mentioned characters. His struggle is not so much between being African and being a Frenchman, as they are between what his family wants him to become and what he wants to accomplish. When his uncle asks him the definition of blood, Medza replies with a literal definition. His uncle laughs at him stating, "I was thinking of it in a different way, a way that comes naturally to folk like our selves, who haven't been to school" (Beti 88). In this passage, Medza's uncle clearly draws a line between those who are educated and those who are not. His uncle meant blood as a term for kinship but Medza's education has changed his outlook on his relationship with his family, so his natural instinct provided a scientific response."

Tags:anorexia, Acoli

Abstract
This paper examines August Wilson play "Joe Turner's Come and Gone" as symbolic of loss and redemption after the abolition of slavery. The author points out that Wilson uses Bynum's "binding song" as a main point of reference for the characterization of Bynum and Loomis.

From the Paper
" In Joe Turner's "Come and Gone" the audience is faced with characters who are most certainly out of place in their surroundings. By setting his work during that period of American History known as The Great Migration, he opens our ..."

Tags:joe turner, august wilson, binding song, bynum, loomis

Abstract
The paper looks at how Peter J. Capuano asserts that Toni Morrison is able to use the concept of the slave song in her literature as a defining principle of humanity and a symbol of human endurance. The paper discusses how her use of the slave song as such a literary device is unique compared to other, earlier writers of slave literature, such as Frederick Douglass, who was writing primarily for white audiences to prove and expose the terrible cruelty of slavery.

From the Paper
"A writer's chosen symbols, subjects and themes depend heavily on their intended audience. In the article "Truth in Timbre : Morrison's extension of slave narrative in the song in Beloved", Peter J. Capuano asserts that Toni Morrison is able to use the concept of the slave song in her literature as a defining principle of humanity and a symbol of human endurance. Her use of the slave song as such a literary device is unique compared to other, earlier writers of slave literature, such as Frederick Douglass, who was writing primarily for white audiences to prove and expose the terrible cruelty of slavery. Morrison, on the other hand, who is writing for a more modern audience, is clearly more concerned with the..."

Tags:beloved, song, slavery

Abstract
The paper discusses how song poetry took two well developed forms in classical, reflective and philosophical work as compared to vernacular, dramatic poems that were often songs for the masses. The paper introduces Su Shi and several others in brief examples of two forms as taken from Stephen Owen's English translation.

From the Paper
"Song classical poetry was meant for the educated classes but the Song Dynasty also produced much lyrical work that was more popular in works that were to be adapted to music, sung by actors or those who saw them, as sources of escape or inspiration. Many of the popular poems refer to stories of lost love or other dramatic themes in contrast with the classical poem's reflective and philosophical nature. Some poets, as in Su Shi (1037-1101) wrote both classical and lyrical poems. Liu Song-Yuan (773-819) was a contributor to the classical tradition and is associated..."

Tags:stephen owen, song poets, contrast

Abstract
In this article the writer provides an exploration of the use of the memory-street metaphor in song lyrics, from the 1960's to the present. The writer examines how the metaphor of roads is used in in different ways. The writer also presents various songs that illustrate and support the discussion.

From the Paper
"The exploration of memory in song lyrics and the metaphor of roads memories and roads or streets have been the subject matter of numerous world famous songs. The use of roads as metaphors for human memory is effective because the two have a number of things in common, despite the reality that memory exists only metaphysically. Three features shared by memories and roads are the inevitability of change perspective and a linkage which allows the physical road to lead to an emotive response in the memory. "

Tags:Memory, Streets, Song, Lyrics

Abstract
In this article, the writer examines the symbolism of flying in Toni Morrison's novel 'Song of Solomon'. It includes five quotes from the novel with two lines of explanation from each as part of the discussion.

From the Paper
"Toni Morrison's 'Song of Solomon' is woven through with the symbolism and imagery of flying. Flying represents a variety of things in the book from the physical act of flight through the air to the metaphorical release from the common bondage of humanity. Ultimately flying is realizing perfect inner freedom unencumbered by the trappings of the physical nature. It is escaping not only from the chains of oppression but also from the inner chains of selfishness and ..."

Tags:Toni Morrison, Song of Solomon, African American, black, flying, symbolism, imagery

Abstract
This paper compares the song "It's A Marshmallow World" to Wordsworth's poem "I Wandered Lonely as A Cloud," examining theme, tone, rhythm and message.

From the Paper
"The Brenda Lee song "It's A Marshmallow World" provides an interesting contrast to William Wordsworth's classic poem "I Wandered Lonely as A Cloud". On the assumption that song lyrics are in essence a form of poetry, the song and the poem can be compared and contrasted to find common elements and distinctive differences. "It's A Marshmallow World" is on the surface just a bit of fluff, a happy song with little meaning. However, it does manifest many of the same elements and concepts as..."

Tags:poem, song, poetry, Wordsworth, It's A Marshmallow World, I Wandered Lonely as A Cloud, theme, tone, rhythm

Abstract
This paper examines Joseph Brodsky's poem "Love Song," elucidating the meaning in each stanza and pointing out how the poet uses syllabic emphasis and symbolism that help the reader interpret the poem. The use of imagination in interpreting the poem's meaning is discussed.

From the Paper
"Joseph Brodsky was a man who saw poetry as vital and integral to life. A prolific poet, he prescribed putting poetry on sideboards, kitchen shelves and even window sills. He felt they should be everywhere. Ling Brodsky stated that in his view, books should be brought to the doorstep like electricity, or like milk in England, they should be considered utilities. At the very least, an anthology of American poetry should be found in the drawer in every room in every motel in..."

Tags:Brodsky, Love Song, poetry, poet, poem, interpretation, meaning, emphasis, imagination

Abstract
The paper discusses the theme of the clash between Christians and Muslims in Europe in "The Song of Roland".

From the Paper
""La Chanson de Roland" is the oldest known work of French literature believed to have been composed in the middle of the twelfth century. It is consequently very much a reflection of the culture norms, mores and concerns of the High Middle Ages, an era in which European feudal society was deeply entrenched and in which Charlemagne is the ultimate Christian king representative of all that is best in this society."

Tags:The Song of Roland, civilization

Abstract
The paper looks at one of Francesco Petrarch's most challenging poems, his "Sonnet 126" or "Canonziere". The paper examines the form and structure of Petrarch's poem and suggests that the work is, at least in part, inaptly named: it is not really a "sonnet" at all as such an item is characteristically defined. At the same time, while it is possible this writer has overlooked something, it is not clear how the "Canzoniere" can really be called a "canzone," either. Rather - again, in this writer's view - the poem appears to be a derivative of the canzone style, adopting some of its features but not all of them. In any case, the paper points out that the basic premise of the song is much clearer: it is about love conquering death and about how innocence can be re-born through death. In a related vein, the paper discusses how the major images and metaphors in the poem concentrate upon precisely the idea of love as imperishable and, in so doing, touches upon the broad issue of how love can be a beautiful prison that binds men and women behind bars of their own making. The paper asserts that Petrarch's "Poem 126" is significant because it offers an illuminating look at his own soul and personal philosophies.

From the Paper
"The following paper will look at one of Francesco Petrarch's most challenging poems, his "Sonnet 126" or "Canonziere". The ensuing pages will look at the form and structure of Petrarch's poem and suggest that the work is, at least in part, inaptly named: it is not really a "sonnet" at all as such an item is characteristically defined. At the same time, while it is possible this writer has overlooked something, it is not clear how the "Canzoniere" can really be called a "canzone," either. Rather - again, in this writer's view - the poem appears to be a derivative of the canzone style, adopting some of its features but not all of them. In any..."

Tags:petrarch, canzone, laura