Refugee Mother and Child

                                          " Refugee Mother and Child "


" Refugee Mother and Child " - the poem is the reflection of African society and their pain and suffering.The poet express the sadness of 'Death' by creating a tragic atmosphere introducing the horrible image of child and showing the way a mother says good bye to her child. First stanza's imagery of "Madonna and Child" this metaphor of the painting symbolize great mother . But the images of a Mother and Child is more touching than the " Madonna and Child". with use of simple and strong words Achebe is able to give real picture of African Society. Words like.." dried up ribs or diarrhoea clearly indicates that the child is suffering from starvation. A very atrocious image used in the poem is the one where the mother combs her son " as putting flowers in a tiny grave" means she is preparing her child for his funeral.