A PRAYER FOR ALL MY COUNTRYMEN POEM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
GRADE 12

A Prayer for all my Countrymen

by Guy Butler
Though now few eyes
can see beyond
this tragic time's
complexities,
dear God, ordain
such deed be done,
such words be said,
that men will praise
Your image yet
when all these terrors
and hates are dead:

Through rotting days,
beaten, broken,
some stayed pure;
others learnt how
to grin and endure;
and here and there
a heart stayed warm,
a head grew clear.

QUESTIONS

Refer to the poem  A Prayer For All My Countrymen by Guy Butler and answer the questions below.

1. What is the “tragic time” referred to in line 3? (1)
2. Complete the following sentences by using the words provided in the list below. Write down only the words next to the question number (2.1-2.3).

   America; people; South Africa; pardon; prayer; men

   This poem is written as a (2.1) ... for all the (2.2) ... of (2.3) ... (3)
3. Refer to line 1 (“Though now few eyes”).
   To whom do the “few eyes” belong?                                       (1)
4. Choose the correct answer to complete the following sentence: In line 4, the word “complexities” means ...
   1. hardships and shortages.
   2. hardships and answers.
   3. answers and solutions.
   4. problems and difficulties.                                                   (1)
5. Refer to lines 5-9 (“dear God ordain, ... Your image yet”).
   Explain why the poet wants his countrymen to behave as described in these lines.                                       (2)
6. Refer to lines 10 and 11 (“when all these terrors/and hates are dead”).
   Use ONE word to describe how the speaker feels about the future.                                                                               (1)
7. Refer to the poem as a whole and give TWO examples of alliteration used.                                                                    (2)
8. Refer to the second
   Using your own words, describe THREE different ways in which people reacted at that time.                                                   (3)
9. Refer to the second
   Is the following statement TRUE or FALSE?
   Quote a line to support your answer.
   The speaker was one of the few people who enjoyed the period of time described in this poem.                                   (2)
10. At the present time in our history do you think the poet’s prayer has been answered? Discuss your view.                      (2) [18]

Answers

1. Apartheid ✓ (1)
2. 2.1 Prayer ✓
   2.2 People ✓
   2.3 South Africa ✓  (3)
3. The people or comrades who can see beyond the suffering. ✓ (1)
4. D / problems and difficulties ✓ (1)
5. He wants them to act and speak responsibly in a way that will  be acceptable to God and will set an example to others. ✓✓ (2)
6. Hopeful/ positive/ optimistic ✓ (1)
7. “tragic time’s” ✓
   “deed be done” ✓
   “beaten, broken” ✓
   “some stayed pure” ✓ (2)
8. Some did not change/ some remained loyal. ✓
   Some pretended to cope/ be happy/ grinned and endured. ✓
   Some were balanced in their outlook/ remained hopeful/clear- headed and warm-hearted. ✓
   Some became clear-headed/ rational. ✓ (3)
9. False. “Through rotting days” ✓✓
10. Yes, some people have remained warm-hearted and clear- headed according to stanza two. These people help people in need. ✓✓
    OR
    No, reconciliation and forgiveness are not truly evident even after 1994. There is still a lot of racial prejudice. ✓✓ (2) [18]