The Tenant Q and MG

Poetry Pack: IEB HL 2023ff The Tenant ~ Na Ngulube Not much is known about Nhlanhla Junior Ngulube. He was born in Zimbabwe and grew up in Johannesburg. He left for China in order to pursue his Masters degree. He has an Accounting degree, with honours in Finance, from the University of Cape Town. He believes that writing is his passion and he especially loves writing about relationships. 1. At first glance, this appears to be a poem about a tenant – or someone who is renting space in a building. What do you learn once you start reading the poem? 2. Stereotypically, tenants can be quite destructive and careless. They do not own the property and there is little incentive to look after the rented space (except that they might lose their deposit!) How does the poet use this idea of a careless tenant, to comment on his previous relationship? 3. What is the effect of using: 3.1 The first person point of view? 3.2 The extended metaphor of a tenant who left, suddenly? 4. Who do you think is ‘listening’ to the poet, and why? 5. In your own words, explain what is meant by ‘luggage’ in this poem. 6. Provide a synonym for ‘indelible’. 7. While the ‘tenant’ has left the poet-speaker, he seems to be holding on for some reason. Explain why, with particular reference to the last stanza. Extension activity: 8. Not many young people can afford to buy property, and are thus likely to rent. This has led to the label ‘Generation Rent’. Read an article that appeared in the Independent newspaper and then respond to the tasks below. https://www.independent.co.uk/student/news/students-and-young-renters-are-not-aware-of-vitaltenancy-rights-a6690571.html [Accessed 24/03/2022] 8.1 What sorts of problems do you think could arise between a property owner and a tenant? 8.2 Write an email or blog as a response to one of these situations. Length: about 250 words. © Macrat Publishing Poetry Pack: IEB HL 2023ff SUGGESTED ANSWERS: The Tenant 1. The poem is alluding to someone who has broken the poet-speaker’s heart. She ‘rented’ space in his life and then abandoned him. She is the one who initiated the break-up and he is bereft. It’s not a property but a heart that is now empty. 2. The ‘tenant’ appears to have ‘left without a word’. The poet-speaker was not expecting her to leave and he keeps ‘hoping she will come back and collect the luggage’. The ‘tenant’ didn’t ‘clean out the place’ and has left ‘marks on the walls’. 3. 3.1 The first person creates an intimate, heart-felt mood. The poet is writing from his own point of view and it sounds personal and confessional. The reader can relate to the speaker on a more personal level. 3.2 It is certainly relatable. We have a sense that someone who was ‘residing’ in his heart, left with no explanation. It seems as if the ‘property’ has been abandoned and the ‘owner’ of the room is left wondering why. The person has left ‘marks on the walls’ of this person’s heart indicating that the departure is a painful one for the speaker-poet. Memories cannot easily be erased. 4. Possibly another potential girl-friend. In the second line ‘my heart’ is mentioned, so there is a suggestion that it could be someone he might love and who might love him, but unfortunately, he admits that there isn’t any room left in his heart as the previous occupant has left behind stuff that makes him unsuitable as a partner. 5. Emotional baggage, or debris; unresolved issues, thus he cannot progress and let others into his heart. 6. Permanent 7. As much as the poet-speaker seems to be willing to fall in love again, he knows he must ‘clean out’ his heart or the space in his life that this previous lover filled. He is, however, aware that if he empties his heart of her, he will have a lot of ‘empty space.’ This suggests that he would rather have heart-ache than heart-emptiness. He is simply not ready to move on from his previous relationship. 8. 8.1. the tenant could: be reckless, vandalise the property be loud, alienating other tenants be unhygienic, not clean property, live in squalor invite others to sublet, overcrowding abscond, leaving a mess the owner could: be careless, not maintain the property well overcharge, bullying tenants pack in too many tenants, thus unsafe building charge too much, knowing of the property shortage charge little, but do little to keep the building safe 8.2 Own choice; teachers could create a specific scenario, and invite learners to reply: e.g. A tenant has been evicted and feels this is unfair. He/ She writes to the landlord making an appeal… © Macrat Publishing