[DOCUMENT TITLE] Current Issues in Linguistics, Language and Gender Studies: A Festschrift in Honour of Professor Cecilia Amaoge Eme 282 SATIRICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL ELEMENTS IN SOME SELECTED POEMS IN IJE ỤWA Chinedum Enweonye & Judith Anulika Nnadiri Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State Introduction A poet is a person who is usually more sensitive to sights, sounds and sensation of the world around him, behaviour of people, their follies, their sufferings, concerns such that they seek for wisdom, ask questions and examine issues about life. Poetry as one of the three genre of literature is the reflection of life and human experience. It serves as a watchdog of the society. It offers people opportunity to express themselves on social, political and moral issues affecting the society. A literary artist (poet) does this, by satirizing the weakness of character or vices in a given geographical setting. It teaches moral lesson, inculcates discipline, good moral values in individuals as well as instructs people to conform to the acceptable moral standards maintenance of law and order in the society. People apply their knowledge of literature in their day to day experience in life. According to Egwudu (1979: 1) literature "as a mode of expression, not just subject that expresses something but rather, it is the way, manner, or method in which something is said or written". A number of poems have been examined with the idea of finding out the satirical and philosophical elements in those poems. The poems are unpretentious, persuasive and full of grace and tenderness. The selected poems in Ije Ụwa are compose with fastidious, melodic and meticulous choice of words. The study aims at exposing the extent to which the writer of the selected text through her works have gone to mirror the events of life, portraying the cultural value and explore varieties of human experience in Igbo community. It aims at portraying man in his society, examining and interpreting human behaviours in societies of past and present while projecting into the future. The reader will find it easy to understand what the poet has said in his mind. Based on this assertion one can deduce that a poet is a person who is naturally sensitive to his environment. It can also be seen that the anthologies in Ije Ụwa are all about man and his society. They examined man as a social being. The look at human virtues vices as products of varying circumstances. It studies man's success and failures, his strengths and weakness and how these are affected by time and environment. The poems arouse pity, sympathy and tenderness. Review of related literature Satire and philosophy have been in existence since man and his culture started to exist. Ever since, people have been contributing to the growths of these two aspects of knowledge. One of the scholars of contributors to satire is Ngugu (1969:5-6). “The satirist [DOCUMENT TITLE] Current Issues in Linguistics, Language and Gender Studies: A Festschrift in Honour of Professor Cecilia Amaoge Eme 283 sets himself certain standard and criticizes society when and where it departs from these norms, he invites us to assume his standard and share the moral indignation”. The wikipedia encyclopedia says, satire is often defined as a literary genre or form although it can be found in graphic and performing art. Satire in the modern sense of the word is found in many artistic form of expression, including literature, plays, commentary and mass media, publications. This is correct because satire could expressed in oral works like speeches, orations, recitations and written works as well as the products of painters (p.3). Satire focus on those things which can correct people from the level ways of life in order to be betters than they are. Fiecknoon (2004:2) Says “it is interested in comparing satire with comedy, and that what makes it different from comedy is that in satire there is usually a clear and overt didactic intention, but in normal situation people of their inescapable human limitation”. This definition is correct but does not go to the point of giving profound meaning of satire. It fails to define satire as a critical work that aims at talking of one's bad behaviours in order to make his change his ways of life. Jonathan (2005:10) sees satire “as a mirror in which people see everyone's face except their own”. His idea about satire is very accurate because one who criticized others idea not likely see anything about oneself. His back is always clean. Ronald (1928:34) describes, The satirist as a kind of spiritual therapist whose function is to destroy the root causes of the major diseases of the spirit like hypocrisy, pride and greed. But the satirist does not necessarily confine himself to such moral cancers. He is observing that the satirist critises other people and feels that he has no need for corrections. Cuddon (1977:20) points out; “Satire as a poem in which wickedness or folly is censured”. He says that the true end of satire takes it upon himself to correct, ridicule the follies and vices of society. In our modern society, we have poetry texts like Uche Bụ Akpa Ulari, Obiageli, Ije Ụwa, Akọ Bụ Ndụ, Uche Bụ Afa, Akpa Uche etc Anozie (2005:10) in his poem "Naịjirịa" satirical emphasizes that Naijria is a good nation that is blessed with natural resources like oil. One of the finest oil in the world but its leaders are corrupt. They mismanage and squander the wealth of the nation. Thus: Naijiria (pg15) Igbo: Ndị Ọchịchị eteela m unyi n'ihu Ha bụ ndị isi aba okpu Ndị eze onye agwalam Akụnụba m amaala afọ n'ala (stanza 2 line 4-7) Translation: Our leaders have brought shame to me They are indiscipline Leaders turn deaf ears to advice My wealth has been impervious [DOCUMENT TITLE] Current Issues in Linguistics, Language and Gender Studies: A Festschrift in Honour of Professor Cecilia Amaoge Eme 284 Anozie, the poet mentions in the poem "Ndọrọndọrọ Naijiria" says that everywhere is always rowdy during the time of any election. The evil people use their fellow human beings for ritual purpose. As a result of unsafe situations people live in great fear. The poet's view of the dangerous situation is expressed thus: Igbo: Tigbuo, zogbuo, ebe nile ana-ekwo ekwo Mmadu ka e ji agwo ọgwụ Otu anya ka e ji arahụ ụra Onye ọbụla chọrọ ịchị (stanza 3 lines 2-6) Translation: Smack and trample to death everywhere very rowdy using man in carrying out ritual sacrifices Everybody sleep with one eye open For everybody wants to rule. One of the scholars that wrote a satirical poem is Ogugua (1988:52) who in his Ọ nọ na di achọ di criticizes that some married women have bad attitudes. Their bad attitudes make them to be wayward. These women forget their oaths of matrimonial lives and do a lot of bad things just because their husbands have financial problems. The poet states this below. Igbo: Ọ bụ gị mere nwaanyi m ji ego lụta Ghara ibu ihe n' anya di ya. Oge ọbụla nyara akpa ya pụa Agarachaa ji wee hapụ ụmụ na di were biwe Ndụ masịrị ya (stanza 6, lines 6-9) Translation: The woman I got married to You made the woman I paid her bride price To worth nothing before her husband Always going out with her bag slung For which the elegant lady left her children and Husband To live her life the way she likes. Philosophy has been studied by various people. One of the scholars is Grant (2009:5) who pointed out that philosophy involves having love for wisdom. He emphatically states his view thus: Judging by his ideas, philosophical poem will then mean the poem that promotes the love of wisdom. Philosophy can be defined as reflection on the varieties of human experience. The poems are used to educate the young or citizens on the values of society. It can be done either teaching or conversation. It teaches moral. The poet makes use of objects [DOCUMENT TITLE] Current Issues in Linguistics, Language and Gender Studies: A Festschrift in Honour of Professor Cecilia Amaoge Eme 285 that are close to the lives of the people. The kind of poems meant are those that code a lot of wisdom in few words more so embellished in linguistic ornaments like proverbs, idioms etc. Philosophers see the world as something to be explained but cannot give that sort final explanation. Every answer submits to another question. Hart (2002:2) says “Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems concerning matters such as knowledge, values, reason and language”. His idea is correct as it is one of the meanings of philosophy. By the study of the fundamental problems, it also offers solutions to the problems. Philosophical poems in this regard are those poems that aim is solving problems like the relationship between God and man as well as teaching the begins of natural phenomenon. Ọgụgụa (1988:4) in his "Abụba Ọrụ Ndị Mahadum” satirizes the unrest of university workers; specially lectures, who strike returns and send students home. The poet takes a look at the effect of the strike on students whom he states indulge in a lot of bad behaviours including stealing by male ones, their female students get entangled in unwanted pregnancies. Chukwuezi (1988:11) in his "Akwa di" exhibited philosophical ideas. The poet reflects the truth on the real meaning of life and also points out the cry of a poor widow as regards to her fate in life and sorrowfulness. According to her, life without a husband is worthless. Chukwuezi writes: Igbo: Kemgbe Amadi nwụrụ Ugbu a adịzịm ka onye arịrọ Ụtọ dị na nwunye adanyụọla. Translation: Since Amadi died Now, I am like a beggar Joy of the husband and the wife has gone/ceased Having discussed satire and philosophy, one can see that the two aspects of life affect literature as a result of which people write satirical and philosophical pieces of work. They are reflected in all genres of literature prose, poetry and drama. Selected satirical poems in ije Ụwa - Agarachaa - Obodo Ọnịcha Selected philosophical poem in ije Ụwa Onye Agọziri agọzi ka m bụ Agarachaa (pg. 19) Okediadi (2003) in her "Agarachaa" which is one of the poems in Ije Ụwa, the poet exposes the attitude of a wayward woman in our present day society. This poem is composed critically and exposing the lifestyle of a wayward woman. The message the poet wants to put across is to present a picture of filth and immorality in society. She exposes bad attitude of a [DOCUMENT TITLE] Current Issues in Linguistics, Language and Gender Studies: A Festschrift in Honour of Professor Cecilia Amaoge Eme 286 wayward woman who is not satisfied with one man (her husband). She does not take care of her family and her husband is supposed to be pitied. She has given her love away to another man. She states her observation. Thus: Ka m tiri uwe kacha mma Nwaneku ga-eletara m Di rn na ụmụ m anya Ndị ọyị m ga-echebego m. (stanza 1, lines 4-7). Translation: let me put on my best cloth Baby sitter will take care of My husband and my children My friends will be waiting for me. The poet laments the attitude of some women in the society, their husbands are not enough for them, they like to have many friends without knowing the effect. Their baby sitters will be taking care of entire household both of the children and the husband because she is always busy outside and has no time for her immediate family. Mgbe ahu ihe emebiela Nwaneku aburula nwunyedi Translation: When she comes back home Things have fallen apart She also does this by slinging her with the baby sitter the being elevated to the position of a co-wife with the women of easy value. The imagery in the poem is effective and the language is simple to understand. It strikes the reader and moves his emotions. Obodo Ọnicha (pg.10) The poet exposes the atrocities and corruption in Onitsha community. She presents Onitsha as a city blessed with wealth which has popular markets in it. The poet showcases crime in the community. The city contains a lot of criminal that include armed robbers, rogues, and money doublers. The policemen and soldiers have tried so hard to abolish crime in this city but their efforts were in vain. People are wicked against their fellow human beings. Thus: A na-apụnara ya n'ike Ndị uweojii na ndị uwekakị Agbaala mbọ ka ike ha ha Ikpọchapụ ndị Omekaome a n' obodo a Ma ihe na-ebe ka na-ebe (stanza 4, line 2-6). [DOCUMENT TITLE] Current Issues in Linguistics, Language and Gender Studies: A Festschrift in Honour of Professor Cecilia Amaoge Eme 287 Translation: It is snatched by force Policemen and soldiers have Tried within their capacity To rid the town of these criminals But the problem persists The burden in the poem becomes heavier because of the crime in the community. One noticeable element in it is corrupt life style and high rate of crime in Onitsha environs is armed robbery. She narrates when the robbers are in actions and as people hear sounds of gun short they become afraid. The poem “Obodo Onịcha” is satirical, the burden on the poet becomes heavier because of great fear in the city. The image in the poem establishes a theme of despair and sufferings. Thus: Ụbọchị niile bụ nke onye ohi Ma otu ụbọchị bụ nke onye nwe ụlọ Translation: Everyday is for the thief But one day is for the owner of the house. The poet goes further to satirize the circumstances of armed robbery attacks. In the situation, the robbers boldly attack their victims and issue directives to them. The owners of the house or other properties fear a lot and obey as instructed. Thus: Egbe na mma ana ada Anyammiri ejụpụta anya ọbụla Obi ana-eti kpim! Kpim! Kpim! Mkpu enweghị ike ịpụta n’ọnụ N’ihi iwu ndị abalịdịegwu na-enye Ihe mmadu ka A na-apunara ya n'ike. Translation: Gunshot boom and matches cling Tears fill all over the place. As the heart beats kpim! Kpim! Kpim! Could not shout Because of orders of night murders People's acquisitions Are snatched away from their wealth. She also implied that people were suffering from envy as a result of which the wicked one's attack people unnecessarily. [DOCUMENT TITLE] Current Issues in Linguistics, Language and Gender Studies: A Festschrift in Honour of Professor Cecilia Amaoge Eme 288 Translation: Anyaụfụ nye onye ọzọ Ekworo na anyaukwu juru obodo Ọnịcha. (stanza 5, lines 6 & 7) Translation: Environs people attack others Envy is all over Onicha. Igbo: Mana ọnwụ ga-egbu nwankịta Anaghị ekwe ya anụ isi nsị (stanza 6, line 5, 6) Translation: But the death that will kill the puppy Does not allow it divert attention In fact the tone of the poem is anger and cry for a change. Okediadi (2003) in her poem “Onye a goziri agọzi ka m bụ” pg. 12, allows her character to talk through her mouth. The character is a full fledge human being. She is not handicapped and all parts of her body are complete. She also mentions that God blessed her with good health and she is not suffering from any sickness. The poet says that our God is a great God, He has shown his blessings upon her. She says that God has blessed her in so many ways for instance He gave her wisdom, knowledge, good health. Igbo: Akụkụ ahụ m zuru oke Aka na ụkwụ m Na-arụ ọrụ dịịrị ha Anya m na-ahụ ihe Ma nke pụtara ihe (stanza 1, lines 2-6) Translation: All parts of my body are complete My hands and feet Doing their normal assignments My eyes see the light Even those that are clear The philosophical poem tends to teach moral and abiding faith in Almighty God that it is only from the creator that blessings come. “Onye a goziri agozi ka m bụ” is divided into three stanzas. The first stanza has seven lines, the second stanza has six lines and third stanza has seven lines. The poet points out the profound truth and experience of God’s blessings to mankind. Conclusion Having gone through these three poems selected from Ije Ụwa one can see that the respective poems are to expose and mirror the events of life. The said poems portray the [DOCUMENT TITLE] Current Issues in Linguistics, Language and Gender Studies: A Festschrift in Honour of Professor Cecilia Amaoge Eme 289 cultural values and explore many options of human experience in Igbo community. They employ pictorial setting and other imagery to enhance the reader’s mind. References Anozie; C. (2005). Uche Bụ Akpa. Onitsha: Varsity Publishing Company. Cuddon, J.A.A. Dictionary of Literary Terms: London. Grant, W.J. (2009, Feb) Who is The Best Philosopher http://www. Philosophy now.org/issue 70/70 question.ht. Maduakor, O. (1991). Introduction to Poetry. Nsukka: Fulladu. Ngugi, J. (1969). Protest & Conflict in African Literature: New York: Africana Publishing Corporation. Ogugua, O. (2000). Obiageli: Onitsha: University Publishing Company. Okediadi, A.N. (2003). Ije Ụwa. Nsukka: Fulladu. Ronald, K. (1974). The Critical Sense, London: Human. Wikipedia, The free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/satire2006. http://www/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/satire2006