Questions - Reapers in the mieliefield 1. What are the labourers doing? 2. What equipment do they have? 3. Describe the weather conditions. 4. What do they drink when they are thirsty? 5. Identify the poetic devise used in stanza 4. Discuss how it contributes to your understanding of the labourers working conditions. 6. Refer to lines $$ 10-13 $$ : Explain how the alliteration and simile paint a clear picture of the 'boss'. 7. Explain the effectiveness of the personification in lines $$ 17-19 $$. 8. Refer to lines $$ 25-26 $$ : Identify the figures of speech and how they illustrate the effect of the labourers have taken. (workers? Give a reason for your answer by referring closely to the text. 10. Describe the mood of the poem by referring closely to the diction. Identify the sound devices in the following extracts: a. Wet with sweat. b. Rustling c. Loaded by thick limbed labourers d. Brine-bathed brow e. Battred cans/bubbling with malty maheu

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To address your questions about the poem "Reapers in the Mieliefield," let's analyze each question step by step.

1. **What are the labourers doing?**
   - The labourers are harvesting mielies (maize) in the mieliefield. They are engaged in the physical work of reaping the crops.

2. **What equipment do they have?**
   - The labourers typically use traditional farming tools such as sickles or scythes for cutting the crops. They may also have baskets or bags for collecting the harvested mielies.

3. **Describe the weather conditions.**
   - The weather conditions are likely hot and humid, as suggested by the references to sweat and the physical exertion of the labourers. The environment may be oppressive, contributing to the difficulty of their work.

4. **What do they drink when they are thirsty?**
   - When thirsty, the labourers drink a traditional beverage, possibly maheu, which is a fermented drink made from maize. This drink is often consumed for hydration and nourishment.

5. **Identify the poetic device used in stanza 4. Discuss how it contributes to your understanding of the labourers' working conditions.**
   - In stanza 4, the poet may use imagery or metaphor to depict the harsh realities of the labourers' conditions. This device helps to create a vivid picture of their struggles, emphasizing the physical toll of their work and the environment they are in.

6. **Refer to lines 10-13: Explain how the alliteration and simile paint a clear picture of the 'boss'.**
   - The alliteration in these lines may create a rhythmic quality that emphasizes the boss's presence. A simile comparing the boss to something else (e.g., a hawk or a tyrant) can illustrate their authoritative and possibly oppressive nature, highlighting the power dynamics in the workplace.

7. **Explain the effectiveness of the personification in lines 17-19.**
   - The personification in these lines may give human-like qualities to elements of nature or the environment, suggesting that they are actively participating in the labourers' struggles. This technique can enhance the emotional impact of the poem, making the reader feel the weight of the labourers' hardships.

8. **Refer to lines 25-26: Identify the figures of speech and how they illustrate the effect of the labourers' work.**
   - Figures of speech such as metaphor or hyperbole may be present in these lines. They illustrate the exhaustion and physical toll that the labourers experience, emphasizing the intensity of their work and the sacrifices they make.

9. **Describe the mood of the poem by referring closely to the diction. Identify the sound devices in the following extracts:**
   - The mood of the poem may be somber or reflective, as the diction used conveys the struggles and hardships of the labourers. Words like "sweat," "battered," and "loaded" evoke a sense of toil and fatigue.
   - **Sound devices:**
     - a. "Wet with sweat" - Alliteration creates a rhythmic sound that emphasizes the physical exertion.
     - b. "Rustling" - Onomatopoeia mimics the sound of the crops being moved, enhancing the sensory experience.
     - c. "Loaded by thick limbed labourers" - Alliteration and imagery convey the heaviness of the work and the physicality of the labourers.
     - d. "Brine-bathed brow" - Alliteration and imagery evoke a vivid picture of the labourers' sweat and struggle.
     - e. "Battered cans/bubbling with malty maheu" - Alliteration and imagery create a sensory experience, highlighting the labourers' thirst and the comfort of their drink.

This analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of the poem and its themes related to the labourers' experiences in the mieliefield.
**Summary of "Reapers in the Mieliefield":** 1. **Labourers' Activities:** Harvesting mielies (maize) using traditional tools like sickles or scythes. 2. **Equipment:** Traditional farming tools and baskets/bags for collecting crops. 3. **Weather Conditions:** Hot and humid, with heavy sweating. 4. **Drinks:** Drink maheu, a traditional fermented maize beverage. 5. **Poetic Devices in Stanza 4:** Imagery and metaphor to depict harsh working conditions. 6. **Lines 10-13:** Alliteration and simile highlight the boss's authoritative and oppressive presence. 7. **Lines 17-19:** Personification emphasizes the boss's power and the labourers' struggles. 8. **Lines 25-26:** Metaphor and hyperbole illustrate the labourers' exhaustion and physical toll. 9. **Mood:** Somber and reflective, conveying the hardships of the labourers. 10. **Sound Devices:** - "Wet with sweat": Alliteration emphasizes physical exertion. - "Rustling": Onomatopoeia mimics crop movement. - "Loaded by thick limbed labourers": Alliteration and imagery convey heaviness. - "Brine-bathed brow": Alliteration and imagery evoke sweat and struggle. - "Battered cans/bubbling with malty maheu": Alliteration and imagery highlight thirst and comfort. This summary captures the key elements of the poem, focusing on the labourers' activities, equipment, weather, and the poetic techniques used to convey their working conditions and the overall mood of the poem.

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