A Stylistic and Thematic Analysis of Zambian Prison Poetry: The Case of Mwembeshi Maximum Security Prison
Keywords:
thematic analysis, stylistic analysis, prison poetry, life in prison, prison live experience
Abstract
How the same theme is expressed in different poems, among different poets, is an interesting area of inquiry because style can determine the treatment of theme. Thus, this article dealt with a stylistic and thematic analysis of selected poems written by inmates of Mwembeshi Maximum Security Prison, and the relationship between the poetry and the prisoners’ prison experience. The study proceeded from the premise that inmate poetry offers authentic experience about life in prison. To achieve its aim the study utilised thematic and stylistic analysis of the poems. Among the key findings of the study is the idea that the poems were not only authentic but were reflection of the deepest feelings of the writers, thematically fresh and touching. The study concluded that most of the poems exhibit themes and stylistic approaches that reflect their prison lived experience and that not all poems use figures of speech to express their prison lived experience.References
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2. Behan, C. (2007). ‘Context, creativity and critical reflection: education in correctional institutions’, International Perspectives in Correctional Education, 58(2), 157-169.
3. Cahnmann, M. (2003). The craft, practice, and possibility of poetry in educational research. Educational Researcher, 32(3), 31-36.
4. Chilala, C. (2011). The African Narrative Tale as a Tool of Education. In S. Schonmann (Ed.), Key Concepts in Theatre/Drama Education (pp. 159-164). Rotterdam: Sense Publishers.
5. Chilala, C. (2018). Dorika’s Metamorphosis: The Allusive Potency of a Comic Character. In I. Chukwumah (Ed.), Joke-Performance in Africa: Mode, Media and Meaning (pp. 203-222). Routledge: London and New York.
6. Chilala, C. (2013). Through the Male Eyes: Gendered Styles in Contemporary Zambian Fiction. In R. M. Chirambo and J. K. S. Makokha (Eds.), Reading Contemporary African Literature: Critical Perspectives (pp. 91-108). Amsterdam: Rodopi.
7. Elsila, M. (2005). Music behind bars: Liberatory musicology in two Michigan prisons (Master’s Thesis). Available from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. (UMI No. 1439811)
8. Fullford, M. (2002). Overview of a music therapy program at a maximum-security unit of a state psychiatric facility. Music Therapy Perspectives, 20(2), 112-116.
9. Gallagher, E. (2001). Elders in prison: Health and wellbeing of older inmates. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 24, 325-333.
10. Harbert, B. (2010). I’ll keep on living after I die: Musical manipulation and transcendence at Louisiana State Penitentiary. International Journal of Community Music, 3(1), 65-76.
11. Harvey, L. (2010). Creativity inside and outside the prison walls: A journey of inspiration. International Journal of Community Music, 3(1), 129-132. https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/intellect/ijcm/2010/00000003/00000001;jsessionid=61nv0r22ly96.x-ic-live-02
12. Leavy, P. (2009). Chapter 3, Poetry and qualitative research. Method meets art: Arts based research practice, pp. 63-99. New York, NY: Gilford Press.
13. Maracle, L. (1996). I am woman: A Native perspective on sociology and feminism. Vancouver: Press Gang.
14. Merriam, A. P. (1964). The anthropology of music. Evanston; Northwestern University Press.
15. Niazi, Nozar & Gautam Rama. (2010). How to study literature: Stylistic and pragmatic approaches. New Delhi: PHI Learning Private Limited.
16. Palidovsky, M. & Stolbach, B. (2012). Dramatic healing: The evolution of a trauma-informed musical theatre program for incarcerated girls. Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma, 5, 239-256.
17. Rio, R. & Tenney, K. (2002). Music therapy for juvenile offenders in Residential treatment. Music Therapy, 20(2), 89-97.
18. Satterwhite, J. (1999). Developing creativity through songwriting in secondary education composition classes (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses database. (UMI No. 303948866).
19. Smith, M. (2011). Marc Smith (“SO WHAT!”): Founder of the poetry slam. Retrieved from http://marckellysmith.com/#/history/
20. Sheehan, E. (2010). Critical song; Exploring songwriting’s value and pedagogy in prison. (Bachelor’s thesis). Retrieved from http://wesscholar.wesleyan.edu/etd_hon_theses/440/
21. Tiernan, J. (2010). CiemarChiem, step by step—community music programme in an Irish probation centre: A personal reflection. International Journal of Community Music, 3(1), 133-141.
22. Willig, C. (1999). Beyond appearances: A critical realist approach to social constructionism. In D. J. Nightingale & J. Cromby (Eds.), Social constructionist psychology: A critical analysis of theory and practice (pp. 37-51). Buckingham, UK: Open University Press.
Published
2023-06-21
How to Cite
Mwanza, C. (2023) “A Stylistic and Thematic Analysis of Zambian Prison Poetry: The Case of Mwembeshi Maximum Security Prison”, Journal of Law and Social Sciences, 5(2), pp. 43-54. doi: https://doi.org/10.53974/unza.jlss.5.2.1013.
Section
Articles