Poet's Background
Professor Lade Wosornu is a prominent figure in the Ghanaian literary and academic landscape. His passion in life is to seek a closer work with God. He is a professor in surgery, a poet, an essayist, a columnist and a philanthropist.
Subject Matter and Account of the Plot
The poem, Raider of the Treasure Trove by Lade Wosornu condemns anger in all ramifications. Some people have little control over their anger and tend to explode in rages. In stanza one, the poet emphasized that dreams should be achieved in a pleasurable manner. He begins by asking questions concerning the worth of one’s life. He enjoins his audience to go through life as a journey devoid of rancor, bitterness, hatred and sadness. ‘’To fly flags of joy and sail up streams’’ ‘’and fling roses whenever you pause.’’ In the second stanza, one of the deadly things that can easily cut the journey of life short ‘’of things which would blot out that brief.’’ Rage is seen as the principal agent of destruction. It can kill its victim anytime. Rage is the strong feeling of anger that is difficult to control. The ultimate nature of rage is that it is a harbinger of calamity, disaster and distress (line 16). In stanza three, Rage is described as ranging storms that can destroy many valuable materials. Here rage is compared to snakes and deviants in the society, line 19. One should be mindful of the behavior that one exhibits in society. ‘’As you think, so you fell, Watch your mind’’, line 20. Finally, the poet conclude in the last stanza by repeating and personalizing the last two lines of stanza one. He wishes to be an embodiment of love, joy, hope, devotion and respect. The poet plans to make his habitation to be a place of perfect bliss. ‘’My destination is Heaven-on-earth.’’
Themes from the Poem:
- Good Health: This shows that an individual must have a positive attitude to life to embrace joy. ‘’To fly flags of joy,’’ ‘’Powered by the breeze of love.
- Consequences of Anger: The poet made it clear that ‘’Rage’’ can bring disaster and tragedy ‘’Rage spells calamity.’’ Rage is a strong feeling of anger that is difficult to control.
- A Caution to Violence: The poet cautions that one should avoid the violent rage in order to live a healthy life and long life. One should watch his/her thought, action and habit to avoid danger in life.
Poetic and Literary Devices:
Here is a list of poetic and literary devices in the poem, Raider of the Treasure Trove by Lade Wosornu
6. Metaphor: It is the comparison of two things from different nature but share same characteristics. Rage is compared to different things. Rage is ‘chief,’ ‘’thief,’’ ‘’enemy,’’ ‘’storm’’ lines 11, 13, 14, 17. In line 15, rage assumes a wicked person that spread toxic radioactive gas to destroy important materials ‘’Rage spread toxic fumes to every scene’’
8. Dramatic Monologue: This is when a speaker talks all alone in a poem/literary text. The speaker addresses a silent listener, usually the reader. The person is like a sermon that the preacher delivered on a certain occasion about the consequences of anger. The use of ‘’you’’ and ‘’your’’ to mean audience, ‘’I’’ to the speaker.
10. Rhetorical question. This is a question without answer. It appears in lines 1-3, 17 and 21 are used for the purpose of emphasis. ‘’But what can be worthy of life? ‘’What dearer than the gems of your dream’’ ’the reason you are here?’’ ‘’It’s sole cause?’’ ‘’Rage sets sail. Can ruin lag far behind’’
