This question is based on selected poems from Wole Soyinka (ed.) poems of Black Africa, E.K. Senanu and T. Vincent (eds.) Selection of African poetry and E....

This question is based on selected poems from Wole Soyinka (ed.) poems of Black Africa, E.K. Senanu and T. Vincent (eds.) Selection of African poetry and E.W. Parker (ed.) A Pageant of Longer Poems.

'... And the laughter or cannon, of thunder arraigns the multitude of wills in savage tutelage...'

In the context of these lines from Odia Ofeimun's

For Christopher Okigbo', misfortune was

Answer Details

The phrase "And the laughter or cannon, of thunder arraigns the multitude of wills in savage tutelage" in Odia Ofeimun's poem "For Christopher Okigbo" suggests that misfortune is unexpected. The use of the word "savage" implies that the misfortune is harsh and brutal, and the juxtaposition of "laughter" and "cannon" suggests that the misfortune can come in many forms, both lighthearted and destructive. The phrase "arraigns the multitude of wills" suggests that the misfortune affects many people, and they are powerless to prevent it. Overall, the line suggests that misfortune can strike suddenly and without warning, and that people must be prepared to face it.