Exploration of Race and Identity in Telephone Conversation
The poem "Telephone Conversation" by Wole Soyinka delves into the themes of race, identity, and societal prejudices through a phone dialogue between a man and a landlady. The man's experience of discrimination based on his skin color unfolds in a conversation filled with subtle and overt racism, highlighting the impact of such biases on individual self-worth and dignity.
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Learning Aim: To explore the ideas presented in Telephone Conversation . Starter: How would you feel if someone would not let you rent their home because of your race?
Learning Aim: To explore the ideas presented in Telephone Conversation . Learning Goals: You understand what is happening in the poem (G+) You also understand the emotions conveyed and can use quotes to show this (E+) You can also explore the imagery and structure in the poem and how they show the message of the poem (C+) You can be detailed in your exploration of the effect of the imagery (B+) You explore layers of meaning behind language and structural choices and how these contribute to the themes in the poem (A)
Learning Aim: To explore the ideas presented in Telephone Conversation . Telephone Conversation Wole Syinka The price seemed reasonable, location Indifferent. The landlady swore she lived Off premises. Nothing remained But self-confession. Madam, I warned, 5 I hate a wasted journey I am African. Silence. Silenced transmission of Pressurized good-breeding. Voice, when it came, Lipstick coated, long gold-rolled Cigarette-holder pipped. Caught I was, foully. 10 HOW DARK? . . . I had not misheard . . . ARE YOU LIGHT OR VERY DARK? Button B. Button A. Stench Of rancid breath of public hide-and-speak. Red booth. Red pillar-box. Red double-tiered Omnibus squelching tar. It was real! Shamed By ill-mannered silence, surrender Pushed dumbfoundment to beg simplification. Considerate she was, varying the emphasis 15
Learning Aim: To explore the ideas presented in Telephone Conversation . ARE YOU DARK? OR VERY LIGHT? Revelation came. You mean like plain or milk chocolate? Her assent was clinical, crushing in its light Impersonality. Rapidly, wavelength adjusted, I chose. West African sepia and as an afterthought, Down in my passport. Silence for spectroscopic Flight of fancy, till truthfulness clanged her accent Hard on the mouthpiece. WHAT S THAT? conceding, DON T KNOW WHAT THAT IS. Like brunette. 20 First impressions: What is the poem about? 25 First impressions: What do you think of it? THAT S DARK, ISN T IT? Not altogether. Facially, I am brunette, but madam, you should see The rest of me. Palm of my hand, soles of my feet Are a peroxide blonde. Friction, caused Foolishly, madam by sitting down, has turned My bottom raven black One moment madam! sensing Her receiver rearing on the thunderclap About my ears Madam, I pleaded, wouldn t you rather See for yourself? 30 35
Learning Aim: To explore the ideas presented in Telephone Conversation . What is a confession? Why does he feel he has to confess his race? The price seemed reasonable, location Indifferent. The landlady swore she lived Off premises. Nothing remained But self-confession. Madam, I warned, 5 I hate a wasted journey I am African. Silence. Silenced transmission of Pressurized good-breeding. Voice, when it came, Lipstick coated, long gold-rolled Cigarette-holder pipped. Caught I was, foully. Why does it say voice instead of she said? Why is silence on its own like this? What is her reaction? What do these quotes suggest about the woman s social standing compared to the man s?
Learning Aim: To explore the ideas presented in Telephone Conversation . What emotions do the ellipsis suggest? Why does light come first? What does this suggest about society? HOW DARK? . . . I had not misheard . . . ARE YOU LIGHT OR VERY DARK? Button B. Button A. Stench Of rancid breath of public hide-and-speak. Red booth. Red pillar-box. Red double-tiered Omnibus squelching tar. It was real! Shamed By ill-mannered silence, surrender Pushed dumbfoundment to beg simplification. Considerate she was, varying the emphasis 10 Why is red repeated? What does the exclamation suggest? 15 Is it really a yes or no question?
Learning Aim: To explore the ideas presented in Telephone Conversation . Has she really changed the question? ARE YOU DARK? OR VERY LIGHT? Revelation came. You mean like plain or milk chocolate? Her assent was clinical, crushing in its light Impersonality. Rapidly, wavelength adjusted, I chose. West African sepia and as an afterthought, Down in my passport. Silence for spectroscopic Flight of fancy, till truthfulness clanged her accent Hard on the mouthpiece. WHAT S THAT? conceding, DON T KNOW WHAT THAT IS. Like brunette. situation? Why? Why is this painful to admit? How is she treating him? 20 Does he really have any choice or power in this 25 What simile must he now resort to?
Learning Aim: To explore the ideas presented in Telephone Conversation . Is this negative or positive? Why? Pick out the different colours he uses to describe himself What does this suggest? THAT S DARK, ISN T IT? Not altogether. Facially, I am brunette, but madam, you should see The rest of me. Palm of my hand, soles of my feet Are a peroxide blonde. Friction, caused Foolishly, madam by sitting down, has turned My bottom raven black One moment madam! sensing Her receiver rearing on the thunderclap About my ears Madam, I pleaded, wouldn t you rather See for yourself? 30 35 What does he think will happen? Why is he pleading?
Learning Aim: To explore the ideas presented in Telephone Conversation . 1. Sum up what is happening in the poem in 30 + words (G+) 2. What emotions are conveyed in the poem? Write a PEE paragraph which explores the emotions of either the speaker. Or the woman on the phone. (E+) Challenge: discuss imagery or structure in your PEE (C+), in detail (B+), consider layers of meaning (A+) 3. List three ways the poet makes you aware of the prejudice in this poem. How effective do you think they are?
Learning Aim: To explore the ideas presented in Telephone Conversation . Plenary: 1. Why do you think the man reacts this way? Why does he not get more angry at the way he is treated? 2. Do you blame the woman for the way she reacts? What do you think of her?
