This is the analysis of Not My Business by Niyi Osundare.
“Not My Business” by Niyi Osundare is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of social justice, morality, and personal responsibility. Written in 1992, the poem is a scathing critique of societal apathy and the tendency to turn a blind eye to injustice.
Poet:
Niyi Osundare is a Nigerian poet, essayist, and educator known for his socially conscious and politically charged works. Born in 1947, Osundare has been a prominent voice in African literature, using his poetry to address issues of social justice, human rights, and political accountability.
Plot:
The poem tells the story of a narrator who witnesses a series of injustices, from a neighbor’s house being burgled to a friend’s arrest by the authorities. However, the narrator repeatedly shrugs off responsibility, declaring “not my business” and opting to mind their own affairs instead.
Themes:
Osundare masterfully explores several themes, including:
– Social Responsibility: The poem highlights the importance of individual involvement in addressing social injustices.
– Moral Courage: The narrator’s apathy serves as a contrast to the moral courage required to stand up against injustice.
– Consequences of Indifference: The poem illustrates the consequences of turning a blind eye to injustice, allowing it to perpetuate and spread.
Structure:
The poem consists of four stanzas, each with a consistent rhyme scheme and meter. Osundare employs a conversational tone, creating a sense of intimacy and direct address.
Poetic Devices:
– Imagery: Vivid descriptions of the injustices witnessed by the narrator create a stark and unsettling atmosphere.
– Irony: The narrator’s repeated declaration of “not my business” is juxtaposed with the obvious moral imperative to act.
– Allusion: Osundare alludes to the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan, emphasizing the importance of intervening in the face of injustice.
Settings:
The poem takes place in an unnamed Nigerian city, with the narrator’s neighborhood and local authorities serving as the primary settings. Osundare’s descriptions of the settings evoke a sense of familiarity and ordinariness, underscoring the idea that injustice can occur anywhere.
Diction:
Osundare employs a range of dictions, from formal to informal, to convey the narrator’s conflicted emotions and rationalizations. The use of Nigerian pidgin English adds a layer of authenticity and cultural specificity to the poem.
Character Analysis:
– The Narrator: A complex and conflicted character, the narrator is torn between their desire to avoid involvement and their moral obligation to act.
– The Neighbor: The victim of the burglary serves as a symbol of the vulnerable and the marginalized.
– The Friend: The arrested friend represents the consequences of speaking truth to power and the importance of solidarity.
In conclusion
“Not My Business” is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that challenges readers to confront their own complicity in the face of injustice. Through its exploration of social responsibility, moral courage, and the consequences of indifference, Osundare’s work serves as a call to action, urging us to recognize that justice is, indeed, everyone’s business. The poem’s masterful use of imagery, irony, and allusion, combined with its conversational tone and cultural specificity, make it a landmark work of African literature and a testament to the enduring power of poetry to inspire and transform.
