Noah Pfister: "The Strangleholf of English Lit."

Noah Pfister

World Lit Surv. III

Prof. Benander

4 April 2011


       Written by Felix Mnthali, "The Stranglehold of English Lit." seeks to bring to light several issues that arise from English literature. Mnthali wishes to state that English isn't as grand as it seems; but rather it is a language that mocks and pokes at those who have been abused.  This poem is a waring cry for all Africans who are wishing to be Educated in English literature. Mnthali is fearful that Englishing is dulling the sense of the Africans, he is worried that those who give into the elegance of English will forget the history of mocking and irony.

However, it is interesting to me that Mnthali has written a poem such as this. Despite his words of warning, he himself was trained in the English school. Therefore, I can only assume that he writes this poem in response to the issues his fellow Africans were forgetting. Mnthali wishes to reminds readers that they must not blindly give into colonization, that they must remember the hardships and the cruel jokes told at the African expense.

       After reading this poem and comparing it to a previous reading, "Gentlemen of the Jungle," I have found this poem to be a more intellectual response. This poem presents an attitude of one that suggests sitting, looking, remembering, and waiting for a better opportunity. Through the poem, I feel Mnthali asks questions that cause readers to stop and think of a better solution than just brute force.  This differs greatly from the methods presented in the "Gentlemen of the Jungle;" these involve complete force. Kenyatta pushes for individuals to forget the courts and the literature and begin to fight back. While Mnthali suggests using education to help, but always continuing to maintain respect for the damage English has caused.