Mnthali and the Stranglehold of English Lit.

First of all let me say, poetry generally perplexes me, and even tends to go right over my head.  It certainly helped that you (professor Benander) read the poem to us in class.  I found that reading interesting as it was not likely the way I would have read it.  I was a little bit uncertain of what to make of this poem at first, but after reading through it a few times I think I have begun to understand it.  I think that this quarter learning about African literature as opposed to last quarter with the Latin American literature will be much more difficult for myself, and I would think most of the class.  I suppose this is because I feel very distant from the past of Africa, as opposed to Latin American history, which I was more familiar with.  Because I am not as familiar with the history, it will take me a bit longer to catch on to some of the things we read, I think.  Felix Mnthali, who was a well educated the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, did a fantastic job of showing discontent and seeming approval at the same time.  He seems to be frustrated in a sense with the learning system in Africa, which seems to focus on literature that is not written in native African languages or about things that are really relevant to Africa.  Although it seems Mnthali is for the spreading of knowledge period from what I can tell, he is certainly frustrated with this fact that education in Africa is based on other countries literature.  I can certainly relate to his frustrations.  Putting myself in his position, and being someone who clearly has great pride for his country, I would find it difficult to be fine with one side or the other.  I think that Mnthali is advocating the sharing of knowledge in all forms in this poem.  Which I would think most professors would do.  I can certainly sympathize with his concerns about his country and its education though.