The Awakening Age Summary by Ben Okri - LearnNote

A prolific poet and story teller, Okri, like in his other works, portrays the hardships of the African people in “The Awakening Age”. In the poem, he is making a call for unity, peace and solidarity among human beings from different parts of the world.

{getToc} $title={Table of Contents}

About the poet Ben Okri

A winner of Man Booker prize for his novel The Famished Road, the Nigerian poet, fiction writer, and essayist Ben Okri (1949-) spent his early childhood in London. Informed by folk tales and dream logic, Okri’s writing also treats his family’s experience of the Nigerian civil war.

His parents were teachers. They wanted their son to have a better life than they did so they sent him off to boarding school when he was young which is why he grew up away from home for most of his childhood. When he was older he studied business and law in college before deciding to pursue a career as a writer.

He is currently a professor of creative writing at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England. Okri has won many awards for his writing including the Man Booker Prize for Fiction which he won in 1991 for his novel The Famished Road.

About the poem The Awakening Age

The Awakening Age, by Nigerian poet Ben Okri, explores themes of freedom and spirituality in the face of historical oppression and political unrest. The Awakening Age is one of Okri’s most famous poems and has been translated into many languages.

The poem was written in 1991, on the eve of Nigeria’s first free election after decades of military rule, but it is still relevant today as the country continues to grapple with issues of poverty and corruption as well as an ongoing insurgency from Boko Haram terrorists.

The poem has been discussed by Nigerian poets over the years and has been featured in poetry anthologies in other countries such as South Africa and Ghana.

Okri’s poem The Awakening Age is about the journey that African people have gone through in order to reach their present state. They have gone through a lot and have worked hard to get to where they are today.

The poem also talks about how humans are meant to work together, not live apart. There was a time when the world was divided, but that time has now ended because all nations need each other in order for the earth to survive.

The poem tells the story of the past, present, and future of Africa. The narrator starts by telling us about the past of Africa when people lived under different hardships, tortures, troubles and poverty. Then he moves on to talk about what Africa is like now with its many different cultures living side by side peacefully without any conflict or fighting between them. Finally, he tells us what Africa will be like in the future as well as what people can do to help make it happen sooner rather than later.

Understanding the poem ‘The Awakening Age’

The poem is broken up into three parts: The Past, The Present, and The Future. In the first stanza the narrator talks about different hardships Nigerian people had gone through in the past.

The second stanza describes the present which is full of hope for the future. It says that even though there are still wars going on in Africa, there is still peace among the people themselves. This shows how far Africans have come since the days of old when they were constantly at war with one another over things such as religion and race.

The third stanza talks about the future which will be even better than the present if people continue working together towards a common goal instead of working against one another.

The fourth stanza brings the poem back to the past so that the reader can see just how much progress has been made since those dark times.

The fifth and final stanza gives the reader advice on what they can do to help bring about the future faster. People must keep moving forward with their education so that they may become leaders themselves someday and change the world for the better. If everyone does their part then one day soon enough Africa will be free of poverty, hunger, disease, corruption, etc., and everyone will live happily ever after.

To sum up, this poem is about how people are supposed to live together with one another, not apart from each other like they have been doing for so long now. In addition, he makes a call for unity, peace and solidarity among human beings from different parts of the world.

The Awakening Age by Ben Okri Class 12 Exercise and Question Answer

Understanding the text 

Answer the following questions.

Who are the people 'who travel the meridian line'?

The people who travel the meridian line are adventurers and explorers. They go from one place to another, discovering new things and places in the world.

 

What does the poet mean by 'a new world'?

When the poet talks about 'a new world,' he means a future where people understand and help each other. This makes the world a happier and better place for everyone to live in.

How are people connected to each other?

People are connected through hope, history, and shared experiences. The poet compares this connection to a strong rope. It's like a mountain rope, holding everyone together firmly.

 

What can we gain after our perceptions are changed?

When our perceptions change, we can gain a better understanding of the truth instead of feeling hurt. It's like a beautiful flower blooming, bringing happiness instead of pain into our lives.

How are we benefited by new people?

We benefit from new people because they bring different ideas, skills, and creativity into our lives. Learning from them helps us grow. Together we can make the world a better place.

 

Describe the rhyme scheme of this sonnet.

The rhyme scheme of this sonnet is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This means that the first and third lines rhyme, the second and fourth lines rhyme, and so on. The last two lines rhyme together, bringing a nice and complete ending to the poem.

Reference to the context

What does the poet mean by ‘the awakening age’?

The "awakening age" is a time when people become more aware and understand the world better. In the poem, it signifies a period of realization and enlightenment, urging individuals to see beyond challenges and work towards a brighter future. The poet wants everyone to awaken to the idea that unity and understanding can lead to positive changes.

 

Why, in your view, have these people ‘lived with poverty’s rage’?

The phrase "lived with poverty's rage" suggests that these individuals have faced the hardships and difficulties that come with not having enough money. The poet, Ben Okri, aims to draw attention to the struggles of people who have experienced poverty and encourages them to look past these challenges with hope. By acknowledging their experiences, the poet motivates them to envision a better future.

Why does the poet appeal for solidarity among the people?

The poet appeals for solidarity, which means standing together and supporting one another. Okri emphasizes the importance of unity, drawing parallels to a mountain rope that symbolizes a strong connection. This solidarity, according to the poet, is crucial for achieving peace and happiness in the world.

 

Does the poet present migration in a positive light? Why? Why not?

Yes, the poet presents migration in a positive light. The reference to traveling the meridian line and the vision of a "new world" within people shine a positive outlook on exploring new places. Okri suggests that migration can bring about positive changes and opportunities for growth, echoing the theme of hope and a brighter future.

Nepal is also known for its economic as well as educational migrants. Have you noticed any change in the perceptions and behaviors of these migrants when they return home from abroad?

When people from Nepal travel abroad for work or education, they often bring back not only new ideas but also a broader perspective. This aligns with Okri's idea of changing perceptions. Migrants may contribute to their home country's development by sharing their experiences and knowledge, fostering positive change and growth.

 

Relate the rhyme scheme of this sonnet to the kind of life idealized by the poet.

The sonnet's rhyme scheme (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG) creates a sense of balance and harmony, reflecting the poet's idealized vision of life. The repetition and structure in the rhyming pattern symbolize the interconnectedness of people, echoing the poet's call for unity. This rhyme scheme mirrors the completeness and beauty that the poet envisions when individuals come together and work towards a common goal.