Group 4

The Breath Of Sparrow

THE BREATH OF SPARROWS
Jim Pascual Agustin
Manila/South Africa
for Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

So it has arrived, the news

of your departure. Last night
I dreamt I was in the house
of my mentor, as a frequent guest
who took a desk by the window.
A towering tree with red
and yellow flowers as big as hands,
the breeze slipping between each
petal finger. I went to his room
to ask the name of that tree.

He lay on his bed, resting

with eyes closed but aware
of the birds weighing down
the branches, leaves caressing
the roof. The breath of sparrows
like his own. There was no need to name
the tree, no need to name anything
at all at that moment. I bid him thanks
before leaving, my footsteps drowning
in sparrow wings.
 Short Explanation based on our
understanding
This poem was inspired made for Nelson
Mandela – a South African revolutionary and
politician, who is famous for fighting against
institutionalized discrimination against black
in his country. The author really inspire the
things that made by Nelson Mandela because
Nelson Mandela became a great president of
South Africa and he is fair with everyone.
 QUESTIONS:

1. What textual evidences can you cite in the

first stanza to indicate that the poem refers
to the historic death of Nelson Mandela?
Answer:
 “Last night I dreamt I was in the house of
my mentor, as a frequent guest who took a
desk by the window”, this represent that the
first stanza of the poem refers to the historic
death of Nelson Mandela. Since the death of
Nelson Mandela was at his home,
surrounded by his family. It’s like the author
says that he was there in the house of his
mentor pertaining to Nelson Mandela.
2. The speaker dreams of his professor after
the news on Mandela’s death reaches him.
Describe dramatic situation of the
speaker’s dream sequence by citing
details.
Answer:
 Nelson Mandela’s dream is Africa which is
in peace itself. He surpassed race and class
in his personal actions, through his warmth
and through his willingness to listen and to
understand with others and he returned
others' faith in Africa and Africans. He do
his best to have the Africans freedom. Also
he is an example that fundamental
differences between people can be solved
without violence.
3. The professor is a metaphorical figure in
the poem, and it can be seen that the
speaker compares the professor to Nelson
Mandela. Explain the comparison of the
speaker between Nelson Mandela and his
professor.
Answers:
 The speaker compared Nelson Mandela to
his professor because they has the same
characteristic being a good leader and a
fighter, someone who guides an individual.
4. Apart from the professor, the speaker
mentions the image of a tree seen from the
window at the house of the professor. How
does it function as an important image in
the poem?
Answers:
 The speaker compared Nelson Mandela to
his professor because they has the same
characteristic being a good leader and a
fighter, someone who guides an individual.
5. Why do you think is naming the tree
important for the speaker?
Answers:
 Because the mentor of the speaker is going
to depart and naming the tree will make the
speaker remember the mentor.
6. How does the impact of the news on
Mandela’s death affect the way the speaker
values the presence of his professor?
Answer:
 The speaker really admires Nelson Mandela
because of his achievements and how he became
a good role model to other people. Also, he is a
former president of South Africa. There is a big
charges in his country since he became a
president. The speaker gathered many lessons in
life to him and he can share it to the next
generation if he will be a professor or just a
normal person who wants to share his knowledge
to everyone. These are the reasons why he really
affected when he knew that his professor, Nelson
Mandela died.
7. With the value and reverence the speaker
gives to his professor, including as well
the comparison he makes between the
professor and the breath of the sparrows,
describe how Mandela’s contribution is
affirmed and valorized in the African
society.
Answer:
 Nelson Mandela taught the world what activism
really means. He stood up to those who sought to
oppress others. He was willing to give up his own
life for the principles of democracy. He fought
against white domination and he fought against
black domination. He treated everyone equally.
Also he became immortal in death. His legacy
gives him the breath of eternal life as the impact
he made to everyone will never die. Africans must
cherish the principles for which he stood: equality,
justice, fairness and peace for all.
8. The biography of Nelson Mandela is
necessary to understand the historical
allusion and references the poem presents.
What other infrmation about him might
have inspired Jim Pascual Agustin to
recognize and honor him in a poem?
Answer:
 In the poem, it says that he can feel
anything without opening his eyes. Maybe
he honor him because he's close to him or he
is looking up on him. Aside from that, the
poem tells that Nelson Mandela is an
observant person. Maybe it became his
inspiration for writing a poem for him.