Prayer to Masks ~ Léopold Sédar Senghor

Describe the poet's belief in "Negritude"

He believed that Africans should be proud of their culture but should also incorporate the best elements of other cultures into it

Give background to the political context of this poem

Senghor wrote this poem at a time when Africa was shaking off its colonial rule. The process was lengthy and difficult. In many instances there were violent protests and fights

Explain the title

it implies "thank you" to those who have been wearing masks and to the masks themselves for being able to hide true feelings

Who/what does the word "prayers" refer to?

it appeals to a higher power/ancestors and there are positive connotations

What does the word "masks" refer to?

refers to traditional masks worn in the African culture, however they are also used to hide real emotions.

Who do the carved masks in this poem collectively represent?

ancestors who are still connected to the living, by the masks

Are the rhetorical questions throughout the poem answered?

yes, they are answered at the end

What do the short sentences throughout the poem emphasise?

the speaker's intent

What is the function of the direct speech throughout the poem?

it allows the reader to 'eavesdrop' on the speaker's conversation with the masks

What is the function of the first person pronoun "you" in the poem?

it engages the reader

Addressing an object or a spirit as a person in poetry is known as ..., provide an example of a line which contains this

apostrophe, "Masks! Oh masks!"

What does the poet's use of the colours in "black mask, red mask, you black and white masks" imply?

these colours carry the connotations of race, which can be associated with the slave trade and oppression

Explain the line "Rectangular masks through whom the spirit breathes"

the spirit refers to ancestors that the speaker communicates with through the mask. The word 'breathes' suggests the ancestors are alive in the spiritual world

Explain the line "I greet you in silence!"

I uses the first person which makes it personal/intimate/sincere. He greets the ancestor in silence because words are not needed, suggesting familiarity, trust and reliance

What does the word "lionheaded" refer to?

a traditional African mask in the shape of a lion's head, which can be a symbol of strength, boldness and bravery -> quality of the ancestors. Senghor's father's name also meant Lion, therefore he introduces his family

Where do the words "this place" in line 6 refer to?

the afterlife

What does the line "You guard this place, that is closed to any feminine laughter, to any mortal smile" suggest about the after life?

it suggests that women, and those still alive cannot enter the world of the ancestors

The phrase "you purify the air of eternity...air of my fathers" indicates...

fathers refers to the ancestors and here the poet acknowledges the impact of the ancestors of the Senegalese people

Explain the phrase "Masks of maskless faces..."

this indicates that the masks serve as the faces of the spirits who were once living -> making them more human

Explain "...free from dimples and wrinkles" when talking about the masks

the ancestors are free from worries and the problems of decolonisation etc

Explain the meaning of the line "...the altar of white paper"

an altar is a place of worship, implying something is being revered or worshipped. The white paper figuratively refers to the laws made by the government. Literally the paper refers to a page in which the poet is writing on

The line "...listen to me!" creates a ... tone and ...

pleading and conveys desperation

What does the word "despotism" mean?

tyranny or cruel rule

Explain the line "...Africa of despotism is dying..."

the tyranny of colonialism is coming to an end -> some countries have already gained their freedom

Explain the use of the words "pitiable princess"

this symbolises someone who has been spoilt/is rich. This suggests that European countries were forced to grant independence to their suffering colonies

Explain the effect of the imagery in "connected through the navel"

colonial power countries were often referred to as the mother country, emphasising the connection of Africa to Europe; like a mother and child in which the mother supplies its baby with blood flow, nourishment etc

Further explain the sense of irony in the line "connected through the navel"

the "mother"/colonial powers did not act like a mother should -> not 'caring'

Explain the use of the word "immobile eyes" to describe the masks

literally the masks' eyes cannot move (they are wooden)

Who are the people "who have been called" in line 13?

the next generation that has to fight for their freedom

Explain the simile in line 14: "and who sacrifice their lives like the poor man his last garment"

this compares people who fought for their freedom to a poor person who gives up his last item of clothing. This implies that they gave everything that they had in order to gain their freedom

Explain the personification in line 15: "So that hereafter we may cry 'here'...leaven that the white flower needs"

crying 'here' signals the colonisers have left and no longer have power. Leaven is like yeast, which is necessary for bread to rise, therefore symbolising this new free country will rise up and be strong

What does the word "rhythm" indicate?

dancing; there is joy and celebration

In line 16 "the world that had died" refers to...

the end of colonialism

What do "machines and cannons" symbolise in line 16?

warfare has contributed to the destruction of the world (eg World War II)

What does the word "ejaculate" mean in this context?

to cry out/shout

What does the "new dawn" in line 17 refer to?

reborn Africa which is now full of life

Who does the "who else" in line 18 refer to?

the youth and that hope lies with them

What do the words "torn hope" in line 18 suggest?

there has been damage, destruction and violence, but there is still some element of optimism

What is the function of the rhetorical questions in line 16, 17 and 18?

these suggest the newly decolonised African countries will make a great change

Who does the "they" in lines 19 and 20 refer to?

the colonists

Line 19: "...cotton heads, and coffee men, and oily men" are all racial slurs, explain

this indicates the oppression faced during the time, and references the stereotypical terms black people were often labelled with

Explain the oppression and prejudice in the line "...men of death" (line 20)

the colonists viewed the black African people as a fearful image of death (the colour black is associated with death)

Explain "...men of the dance..." in line 21

this suggests joy and freedom

What are some of the themes throughout the poem?

the oppression and discrimination of black people, honouring our ancestors, new beginnings

What is the tone of the poem?

hopeful

What is the mood of the poem?

praising

What is the function of having no proper structure throughout the poem?

this represents freedom (of the African people)