BECE 2024/2025 Literature Guide: Poetic Wisdom by Dayo Lomuwagun

This guide provides summaries, themes, literary devices, and evaluation questions for selected poems from Poetic Wisdom, aligning with the Lagos State curriculum to aid students, educators, and parents in effective preparation.

📖 1. Purposelessness – Page 39

🔍 Summary

“Purposelessness” delves into the existential void experienced when life lacks direction. The poem paints a picture of aimlessness, highlighting the consequences of living without clear goals or aspirations.

🎯 Themes

• Aimlessness and Its Consequences: Explores the emptiness resulting from a lack of purpose.

• The Importance of Direction: Emphasizes the need for goals to give life meaning.

• Self-Reflection: Encourages introspection to find one’s path.

✍️ Literary Devices

• Metaphor: Life is compared to a rudderless ship, emphasizing lack of direction.

• Imagery: Vivid descriptions evoke feelings of emptiness and confusion.

• Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds to create rhythm and emphasis.

💡 Message

The poem serves as a cautionary tale, urging readers to find purpose to avoid the pitfalls of a meaningless existence.

📝 Evaluation Questions

1. What is the central theme of “Purposelessness”?

2. Identify and explain two literary devices used in the poem.

3. How does the poet convey the consequences of living without purpose?Academia

📖 2. The Panic of Growing Older – Page 11

🔍 Summary

This poem captures the anxiety associated with aging. It reflects on the swift passage of time and the fear of unfulfilled dreams as one grows older.EduPro Forum

🎯 Themes

• Fear of Aging: Highlights the apprehension that comes with getting older.

• Reflection on Life’s Achievements: Questions whether one’s goals have been met.

• Time’s Relentless March: Emphasizes how quickly life progresses.ERICCambridge University Press & Assessment+3SureSuccess.Ng+3Learn Every+3

✍️ Literary Devices

• Personification: Time is given human qualities, portraying it as an unstoppable force.

• Rhetorical Questions: Used to provoke thought about one’s life choices.

• Symbolism: Aging symbolizes the accumulation of missed opportunities.

💡 Message

The poem encourages proactive living, urging individuals to pursue their dreams before time runs out.

📝 Evaluation Questions

1. Discuss how the poet uses personification in “The Panic of Growing Older.”

2. What emotions are evoked by the poem?

3. Explain the significance of time in the poem.ERIC+1Gauth+1

📖 3. The Chicken Republic – Page 42

🔍 Summary

“The Chicken Republic” is a satirical piece that critiques political instability and corruption. Using the metaphor of chickens, it reflects on leadership and governance issues.

🎯 Themes

• Political Satire: Mocks the state of governance using animal allegory.

• Corruption and Mismanagement: Highlights the consequences of poor leadership.

• Societal Complacency: Questions the role of citizens in enabling corrupt systems.The Guardian Nigeria+1fourwayreview.com+1ERIC+1Cambridge University Press & Assessment+1

✍️ Literary Devices

• Allegory: The chicken society represents a nation’s political landscape.

• Irony: Contrasts the expected behavior of leaders with their actual conduct.

• Imagery: Descriptive language paints a vivid picture of the chaotic chicken society.Academia

💡 Message

The poem urges readers to recognize and challenge corrupt systems, emphasizing the power of collective action.

📝 Evaluation Questions

1. How does “The Chicken Republic” use allegory to convey its message?

2. Identify and explain two instances of irony in the poem.

3. What is the poet’s perspective on leadership and governance?SureSuccess.Ng

📌 Conclusion

These poems from Poetic Wisdom offer profound insights into personal and societal issues. By understanding their themes and literary devices, students can better appreciate the depth of the poetry and prepare effectively for the BECE.opi.mt.gov

Second Term Weekly Lesson Notes From Primary 1 To Primary 6

BECE 2024/2025 Literature Study Guide for Poetic Wisdom by Dayo Lomuwagun, focusing on the following selected poems:

• Purposelessness (Page 39)

• The Panic of Growing Older (Page 11)

• The Chicken Republic (Page 42)

✅ 15 Fill-in-the-Blank Mock Questions (A–D Options)

1. The poem “Purposelessness” presents a speaker who feels __________ in life.
   a) Excited
   b) Lost and confused
   c) Joyful
   d) Celebrated

2. The poet uses repetition in “Purposelessness” to emphasize __________.
   a) Faith
   b) Emptiness
   c) Growth
   d) Happiness

3. In “Purposelessness,” the tone of the poem can best be described as __________.
   a) Hopeful
   b) Depressed
   c) Humorous
   d) Loving

4. “The Panic of Growing Older” reflects on __________.
   a) Politics
   b) Youth fun
   c) Aging and missed opportunities
   d) Physical strength

5. The word “panic” in the poem title symbolizes __________.
   a) Celebration
   b) Fear of aging
   c) Confidence
   d) Anger

6. In “The Panic of Growing Older,” the poet warns against __________.
   a) Studying too hard
   b) Ignoring parents
   c) Wasting youth
   d) Eating too much

7. One poetic device used in “The Panic of Growing Older” is __________.
   a) Irony
   b) Alliteration
   c) Personification
   d) Onomatopoeia

8. “The Chicken Republic” is a satire that criticizes __________.
   a) Nature
   b) Family values
   c) National leadership and corruption
   d) Music industry

9. The chickens in “The Chicken Republic” symbolize __________.
   a) Peace
   b) Ordinary citizens
   c) Politicians
   d) Traders

10. The title “Chicken Republic” mocks __________.
    a) An eatery
    b) A corrupt nation
    c) Farming
    d) Childhood

11. In “Purposelessness,” the repetition of “What am I living for?” expresses __________.
    a) Joy
    b) Confusion and doubt
    c) Wealth
    d) Adventure

12. The poem “The Panic of Growing Older” encourages the reader to __________.
    a) Avoid friends
    b) Make good use of time
    c) Complain about age
    d) Fight aging

13. “The Chicken Republic” uses animals to __________.
    a) Teach farming
    b) Represent societal roles
    c) Celebrate leadership
    d) Invite peace

14. The style of “The Chicken Republic” can be described as __________.
    a) Romantic
    b) Sarcastic and reflective
    c) Religious
    d) Scientific

15. The three poems from Poetic Wisdom share a common theme of __________.
    a) Agriculture
    b) Playfulness
    c) Social and personal reflection
    d) Migration

💡 15 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the main message in “Purposelessness”?
   → It explores the feeling of living without direction or meaning.

2. Who is the speaker in “The Panic of Growing Older”?
   → A reflective adult who regrets wasting youthful years.

3. What does “Chicken Republic” symbolize?
   → A satirical version of a corrupt society ruled by greed and fear.

4. What literary device is common in all three poems?
   → Metaphor and symbolism are prominent in each poem.

5. Why does the poet use chickens in “The Chicken Republic”?
   → To mock how ordinary people live under an oppressive system.

6. What is the tone of “Purposelessness”?
   → Sad and reflective, showing inner emptiness.

7. What does the poem “The Panic of Growing Older” teach us?
   → To value time, plan wisely, and act with purpose.

8. How does Dayo Lomuwagun use satire in his poetry?
   → By mocking real societal problems in symbolic, poetic ways.

9. Is there hope in any of the three poems?
   → Yes, especially in “The Panic of Growing Older” where the warning inspires action.

10. What kind of society is portrayed in “The Chicken Republic”?
    → A broken, unjust society filled with fear, silence, and manipulation.

11. Why do students relate to “The Panic of Growing Older”?
    → Because it warns them early about wasting time and chances.

12. How is structure used in “Purposelessness”?
    → Through free verse and repetition to show the speaker’s mental state.

13. Is “Chicken Republic” a true story?
    → No, it’s a symbolic, satirical story reflecting real-world problems.

14. Why is time important in these poems?
    → It shows how quickly life passes and the need for purpose.

15. How can students apply the lessons from these poems?
    → By making thoughtful life choices and being aware of societal issues.

🧠 10 Evaluation Questions

1. Summarize the key message of “Purposelessness” in two sentences.

2. Discuss how the poet uses metaphor in “The Panic of Growing Older.”

3. What lesson can teenagers learn from “The Panic of Growing Older”?

4. Describe how the poet criticizes society in “The Chicken Republic.”

5. What do the chickens represent in the poem “The Chicken Republic”?

6. Identify two poetic devices in “Purposelessness” and explain their effect.

7. How does satire enhance the message in “The Chicken Republic”?

8. Compare the tone of “Purposelessness” and “The Panic of Growing Older.”

9. Do you think the title “The Chicken Republic” is effective? Why or why not?

10. Write a short poem (4–6 lines) that shares a similar theme to one of the three.