'The seas eats our lands' by Kwesi Brew Here stood our ancestral home: The crumbling wall marks the spot. Here a sheep was led to the slaughter To appease the gods and atone For faults which our destiny Has blossomed into crimes There my cursed father once stood And shouted to us,his children, To come back from our play To our evening meal and sleep The clouds were thickening in the red sky And night had charmed A black power into the pounding waves. Here once lay Keta Now her golden girls Erode into the arms of strange towns. In this poem,

Question 35 of 327

'The seas eats our lands' by Kwesi Brew
Here stood our ancestral home:
The crumbling wall marks the spot.
Here a sheep was led to the slaughter
To appease the gods and atone
For faults which our destiny
Has blossomed into crimes
There my cursed father once stood
And shouted to us,his children,
To come back from our play
To our evening meal and sleep
The clouds were thickening in the red sky
And night had charmed
A black power into the pounding waves.

Here once lay Keta
Now her golden girls
Erode into the arms
of strange towns.

In this poem,

A. the gods are being abused for their causing a natural disaster
B. the poet's father is being' cursed' for stopping the children's play
C. a natural disaster is linked to the moral and religious life if a people
D. the'golden girls' are praised for leaving home to go to the city

Correct Answer: C

Explanation

Correct Option: C Explanation of Why Option C is Correct: In the poem "The seas eat our lands" by Kwesi Brew, the poet explores the themes of loss, displacement, and the connection between natural disasters and the moral and religious life of a community. The phrase "the seas eat our lands" serves as a powerful metaphor for the erosion of both physical land and cultural identity, suggesting that the natural disaster of coastal erosion is not just a physical phenomenon but also a reflection of deeper moral and spiritual issues within the community.

Connection to Moral and Religious Life:
The poem references ancestral homes and rituals, such as the slaughter of a sheep to appease the gods. This indicates that the community has a rich cultural and religious heritage that is being threatened by the forces of nature. The act of appeasing the gods suggests that the people believe their moral and spiritual actions have consequences, and the erosion of their land may be seen as a punishment or a result of their collective sins.
The line "for faults which our destiny has blossomed into crimes" implies that the community's moral failings are intertwined with their fate. This connection between the natural disaster and the moral state of the people is central to understanding the poem's message.
Historical Context:
The mention of "Keta," a town in Ghana that has experienced significant coastal erosion, grounds the poem in a real-world context. The loss of Keta symbolizes not only the physical loss of land but also the loss of cultural identity and heritage. The "golden girls" who "erode into the arms of strange towns" represent the youth leaving their homes, which can be seen as a consequence of both environmental and socio-economic pressures. This further emphasizes the link between the natural disaster and the moral implications of migration and loss of cultural roots.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong or Weaker: Option A: The gods are being abused for their causing a natural disaster. - This option misinterprets the relationship between the community and the gods. The poem does not suggest that the gods are being abused; rather, it indicates that the community is trying to appease them through rituals. The focus is on the community's moral and spiritual responsibilities rather than blaming the gods for the disaster. Option B: The poet's father is being 'cursed' for stopping the children's play. - This option is misleading. The father is not cursed for calling the children back; instead, he represents a figure of authority and care. The call to return from play signifies a transition from innocence to the harsh realities of life, including the impending loss of their home. The father's role is more about guidance than blame. Option D: The 'golden girls' are praised for leaving home to go to the city. - This option overlooks the tone of loss and nostalgia present in the poem. The "golden girls" leaving home is portrayed as a consequence of the erosion of their land and culture, not as a celebration of their departure. The poem reflects a sense of mourning for what is lost rather than praise for those who leave. Revision Summary:

The poem connects natural disasters to the moral and spiritual life of the community, emphasizing the consequences of their actions.
Rituals and ancestral heritage are central themes, highlighting the cultural significance of the land.
The loss of Keta symbolizes both physical and cultural erosion, affecting the identity of the people.
Misinterpretations of the poem's themes can lead to overlooking its deeper messages about loss, responsibility, and the impact of environmental changes on communities.