Ghost Child by Joseph Nhlapo

TP-CASTT

Title

• We thought that the poem was going to be about a child that died of AIDS.

Paraphrase

• The poem is about a child that is suffering from AIDS and wants some one to cure the disease.

Connotation

• “I shout, shout and scream for my blood to spring once again like rivers in summer.” AIDS attacks peoples bloodstream, so the child wants to have healthy, fresh blood. Blood that isn't weakened by AIDS.

• “Could you unwrap this red ribbon from me?” The red ribbon is the symbol for AIDS, just

like the pink ribbon is the symbol for breast cancer.

• “Nkosi yami!”When translated into English, yami means “my”, and nkosi means “chief”, or “king.”

• “Mdali wami ungishiyekani manje” when translated into English, mdali means “God”, or “creator”, and wami means “my.” Manje, in English, means “present”, “current”, or “now.”

• “Am I still your child?” Repetition. The child wants to know if God still loves him.

• “Could you shower me with little raindrops?”Personification. To clense the AIDS from

the child, get rid of it, wash it away.

Attitude

• We think that the attitude of the speaker is sad. The speaker is desperate and hopeful, waiting for a cure of its AIDS.

• We think that the author's attitude is, and that he feels bad for the child.

Shifts

• There is no shift from the beginning of the poem to the end.

Title

• We think that the title is about a child that is suffering from AIDS.

Theme

•We think that the theme of the poem is about how AIDS takes affects on kids, and what they go through.