<p>The Serf – Roy Cambell His naked skin clothed in the torrid mist That puffs in smoke around the patient hooves, The ploughman drives, a slow somnambulist, And through the green his crimson furrow grooves His heart, more deeply than he wounds the plain, Long by the rasping share of insult torn, Red clod, to which the war-cry once was rain And tribal spears the fatal sheaves of corn, Lies fallow now. But as the turf divides I see in the slow progress of his strides Over the toppled clods and falling flowers, The timeless, surly patience of the serf That moves the nearest to the naked earth And ploughs down palaces, and thrones and towers.</p><p>Read the left column and then answer the following questions: </p><p>Comment on the significance of the title, "The Serf". (5) </p><p>[Need help?] Serfs were labourers who were only slightly better off than slaves. They were part of the European feudal system which permitted them to hold land in exchange for work, service and allegiance to the land owner. They were not allowed to leave the land on which they worked. </p><p>The word also has connotations of oppression and drudgery. By choosing this title, Campbell emphasises the downtrodden, oppressed state of this Black labourer. It prepares us for the resentment the labourer feels towards the White people who have taken over his ancestral lands. </p><p>The serf in the poem symbolises all the suppressed people of the world, but especially in Africa, which was colonised and exploited by the European powers. National pride eventually led to the overthrow of the foreign powers. </p><p>The word is also reminiscent of the French Revolution when the people revolted and overthrew the monarchy. </p><p>------</p><p>"His naked skin clothed in the torrid mist." What is Campbell's intention when he describes the labourer as "naked"? (3)</p><p>[Need help?] The labourer's upper torso is naked to emphasise that he is in his natural state. It conveys the labourer's closeness to the earth. He is in touch with nature. </p><p>The description is linked to line 13, where Campbell refers to the "naked earth", thus establishing a connection between the labourer and the land which has been taken away from his people. </p><p>------</p><p>"His naked skin clothed in the torrid mist That puffs in smoke around the patient hooves." Discuss the effectiveness of the metaphors in these two lines. (4)</p><p>[Need help?] There are two metaphors in these lines: </p><p>The dust which is raised by the plough oxen covers the serf's body like clothing; The dust is also compared with mist and smoke.</p><p>Dust, smoke and mist are similar in that they are cloudlike, move gently in a breeze and do not form a solid barrier. They resemble a fine, light sprinkling. They obscure, but do not hide anything completely. </p><p>------</p><p>"The ploughman drives, a slow somnambulist." Explain why the serf is described as a "somnambulist". (4)</p><p>[Need help?] A "somnambulist" is one who walks in his sleep. </p><p>This metaphor compares the serf with a sleepwalker since he is so used to doing this dull, repetitive labour that he appears to be ploughing in his sleep. He is able simply to go through the motions without concentrating. There is also the implication that things can change when he comes out of this sleep-like state: he will be focussed on destroying the White man, his symbols and his power. </p><p>------</p><p>"more deeply than he wounds the plain." Identify and comment on the use of the figure of speech in this line. (4)</p><p>[Need help?] There is PERSONIFICATION in the use of the verb "wounds". </p><p>Campbell uses the word to convey the tearing and ripping of the soil and grass as it is cut by the plough. The earth is "crimson", not only because of the colour of the soil but also because it implies that the earth is bleeding from its wound. </p><p>The word is linked to the hurt the serf has experienced. He has been wounded emotionally by White people's insults. </p><p>------</p><p>"His heart, more deeply than he wounds the plain, Long by the rasping share of insult torn, Red clod, to which the war-cry once was rain And tribal spears the fatal sheaves of corn, Lies fallow now." Paraphrase these lines (rewrite them in your own words). (5)</p><p>[Need help?] The lines need to be condensed to read: "His heart lies fallow now." </p><p>Campbell makes a comparison between the cutting into the soil of the plough and the way in which the serf's heart has been wounded even more by the insults of White people. </p><p>Just as the red clods of the field are left to rest, the serf is patiently waiting for the right time. The "war cry" and the "tribal spears" symbolise the era when his ancestors once ruled the land and fought tribal wars. These have now been replaced by the sheaves of grain of the Whites. </p><p>Point out what "insult" the serf has had to endure. (2)</p><p>[Need help?] These insults are verbal attacks, involving discriminatory comments and barbs about intelligence and social status. </p><p>The word also refers to the serf's pride which has been insulted by White oppression and the systematic detribalisation and eradication of African culture. </p><p>Explain why the use of the words "rasping share" is so appropriate. (3)</p><p>[Need help?] "Rasping" means scraping away roughly. A "share" is a plough. </p><p>By using these words, Campbell continues the metaphor of the plough tearing through the grass and soil. These words, which echo the word "torn", further emphasise the hurt the serf has experienced. </p><p>------</p><p>"And ploughs down palaces, and thrones, and towers." Discuss Campbell's use of repetition in this line. (3)</p><p>[Need help?] The repetition of "and" suggests that the serf will be relentless. Once he revolts against White rule, there will be no stopping him. He will persist until he has eradicated every single scrap of evidence of White rule. </p><p>Why has Campbell specified the buildings to be destroyed as being "palaces", "thrones" and "towers"? (2)</p><p>[Need help?] These are all symbols of White rule and oppression. They symbolise the old order -- the European royal families and governments that colonised Africa, subjecting the African's to foreign rule. Campbell emphasises the serf's resentment towards White rule and domination. </p><p>"His naked skin clothed in the torrid mist." Comment on Campbell's use of the OXYMORON in "torrid mist". (5)</p><p>[Need help?] The word "torrid" means extremely hot, parched by the sun. It also has connotations of passion and intensity. </p><p>"Mist", on the other hand, is associated with water vapour and coolness. Campbell has used this contrasting combination of words to describe the clouds of dust kicked up by the plough oxen. </p><p>There is also the implication that all is not as it seems: the contrast between the heat and the coolness is a prelude to the warning that the serf's apparent patience will erupt in aggression and violence when White rule is overthrown. </p><p>------</p><p>"Red clod, to which the war-cry once was rain And tribal spears the fatal sheaves of corn." Discuss the EXTENDED METAPHOR in these two lines. (6)</p><p>[Need help?] The war-cry of the ploughman's ancestors is compared with rain. This implies that tribal wars were a natural part of their existence. Just as the rain brought life to the fields, so the war-cry filled them with energy and lifted their spirits: it made them feel alive. </p><p>The tribal spears are compared with sheaves of corn, which are the harvested bundles of grain. Both spears and grain are sharp and pointed. The sheaves represent the White people who populated and farmed the area, causing the detribalisation of the Africans. </p><p>The reference to the tribal spears extends the metaphor of the war-cry. The war-cry and the spears represent those things that were once meaningful to the tribes. </p><p>Identify and explain the use of the TRANSFERRED EPITHET. (3)</p><p>[Need help?] A TRANSFERRED EPITHET is when an adjective or adverb is transferred from the word which it normally qualifies to another word. Example: He drank a cheerful glass = The man is cheerful, not the glass. </p><p>The word "fatal" refers to the deadly spears used during the tribal wars, not to the sheaves of corn. However, if one considers that the sheaves of corn symbolise the Whites, the word "fatal" conveys the devastating affect that detribalisation had on the Africans: they lost their culture and their tribal identity due to White influence. </p><p>------</p><p>"His heart . . . lies fallow now." Discuss Campbell's effective use of METAPHOR. (5)</p><p>[Need help?] The serf's heart is compared with a fallow field. </p><p>When a field is left to lie fallow, it is left unsown and uncultivated after having borne many crops which depleted its fertility. By allowing the soil to rest, it is able to recuperate and rejuvenate. </p><p>The serf used to be vibrant, like the fertile field once was. Through years of insult and oppression, he seems to have lost his energy, becoming a dejected man. </p><p>Just as a fallow field is revitalised, however, the serf is quietly building up his strength, waiting for the day he will be able to gather his forces, return to his ancestors' former glory, and overthrow the White oppressors. Campbell implies that this uprising is merely a matter of time. </p><p>------</p><p>"I see in the slow progress of his strides Over the toppled clods and falling flowers, The timeless, surly patience of the serf That moves the nearest to the naked earth And ploughs down palaces, and thrones, and towers." Account for Campbell's choice of the word "strides". Why, for instance, did he not use "steps"? (4)</p><p>[Need help?] "To stride" is to take long, regular steps. It implies pride, confidence and determination. </p><p>"To step", on the other hand, is simply the action of putting one foot before the other. It does not have the same connotations as "to stride". Campbell uses the word to convey the serf's determination and confidence in what he will achieve in the future. He feels assured of success. </p><p>Discuss the significance of the "toppled clods" and "falling flowers". (4)</p><p>[Need help?] The words "toppled" and "falling" refer to the manner in which the White institutions will be destroyed. </p><p>Just as the clods and the flowers are unable to resist the force of the plough, the Whites will be unable to withstand the destructive and violent force of the uprising that will remove all signs of their existence in Africa. Their power will be cut down just as easily as soil and flowers are turned over. </p><p>There is alliteration in "falling flowers" to emphasise this destruction. </p><p>How has Campbell used the OXYMORON in the line "The timeless, surly patience of the serf"? (3)</p><p>[Need help?] By referring to the "surly patience" of the serf, Campbell reveals the ambiguous nature of the man. He is unfriendly and bad-tempered, but this conceals his true nature. </p><p>His patience reflects his perseverance and his calm endurance of hardship. He is actually quietly biding his time until he is able to overthrow the white oppressor. </p><p>------</p><p>"And ploughs down palaces, and thrones, and towers." Comment on Campbell's metaphorical use of "ploughs down". (4)</p><p>[Need help?] There is a literal allusion to the serf ploughing the field, but the words have a very strong figurative connotation. "To plough down" implies the destruction and eradication of something, using a great deal of force. The phrase also has implications of violence. When someone drives a car through a crowd of people, we say that they have been ploughed down since the car acts like a plough, cutting a "furrow" through the crowd. </p><p>Campbell uses this expression to convey the utter destruction which will take place once the serfs rise up. There will be no stopping them. It is an uneasy reminder that the slave may well become the master. </p><p>------</p><p>Campbell has made use of ALLITERATION in this poem. Explain his reason for doing so. (3) </p><p>[Need help?] Although there are many examples of alliteration, there is a dominance of "s" alliteration, especially in lines 3 4, 9 10, 12 and 14. This is known as SIBILANCE. The drawn-out sound slows down the rhythm, depicting the slow movement and the patience of the serf. </p><p>------</p><p>This poem consists of 14 lines. Is it a sonnet? If so, identify the type of sonnet and explain how Campbell has used the structure to convey his message. (4)</p><p>[Need help?] There is no rhyming couplet, so is not a Shakespearian sonnet. It is, however, divided into two parts, suggesting an octave and sestet. </p><p>The rhyme scheme of an Italian sonnet is abbaabba, cdecde OR cdcdcd. This poem has the following rhyme scheme: abab cdcd eefggf. </p><p>An octave consists of eight lines, but Campbell has extended the octave into line 9. The sestet starts in line 9 with "But as the turf divides . . . . This is known as a "caesura pause". </p><p>In the octave, Campbell sets the scene, describing the labourer ploughing his master's fields and compares the ploughed field with his heart, cut by the insults and oppression of the Whites. </p><p>The sestet warns that the serf is patiently awaiting the time he can overthrow the institutions and way of life of the Whites who have oppressed him and his people. </p>