The poem describes the narrator's experience growing up as the son of an English mother and Afrikaans father in South Africa. His mother dreams of him becoming a king, representing British colonial ideals, while his father draws his strength from the land. The narrator is torn between these influences and his country has left him with a soul as hard as flint, unable to reconcile the divisions within himself.

1. ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGE GRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN POETRY MR OOSTHUYSEN

2. “ Such a little king’s eye”, said my mother who still had the kind imperial look. “ He’ll command. Dear cherry-bright boy!” Her faded English blood ran strong, she dreamt of the shires all night long, rose in the morning and called me, Roy. ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGE GRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN POETRY MR OOSTHUYSEN

3. That was the beginning. My father who came raw from the veld with a rocky name, though a mild man, frequently dreamt that Circumstance galloped with him riding, that History was thatched into his roof. It hurt him to hear me christened, Roy Kloof. ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGE GRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN POETRY MR OOSTHUYSEN

4. Up behind father with little bright spurs I dreamt I was galloping, gravely horsed. I dreamt of a sceptre: I cried and cried Till rock and shire were divorced. Division incarnate! An unhappy role! My country has given me flint for a soul. ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGE GRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN POETRY MR OOSTHUYSEN

5. “ Such a little king’s eye”, said my mother who still had the kind imperial look. “ He’ll command. Dear cherry-bright boy!” ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGE GRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN POETRY MR OOSTHUYSEN Direct Speech – immediacy and individuality Representative of a type rather than individual Praise – English colonial power King = monarch Imperial aspirations for her son Not true kindness – false, condescending kindness of one who believes she knows better and must instruct others English arrogance involved in Colonialism – disregard for the values and dignity of the original inhabitants of conquered land Dream/assumption: because her son is English (has the “king’s eye” – believes that he is born to lead Very arrogant and authoritarian attitude Deliberately archaic – scarlet colour usually associated with British presence

6. Her faded English blood ran strong, she dreamt of the shires all night long, rose in the morning and called me, Roy. ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGE GRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN POETRY MR OOSTHUYSEN Lost it’s brightness, colour and vigour The counties into which England is divided – ties with her homeland are still strong PARADOX – she no longer has the energy and youthful vitality but her patriotism and loyalty to England remains powerful “ Roy” = “Roi” French for “king” Part of her fantasy Mother = symbol of imperialism and colonialism – represents English empire builders – believed the were bringing civilization and enlightenment to “darkest Africa” – impose European culture and values on indigenous population

7. That was the beginning. My father who came raw from the veld with a rocky name, ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGE GRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN POETRY MR OOSTHUYSEN Introduces his father Powerful and raw Takes his strength from the land Becomes a symbol of the country Hardship and struggle to establish himself in SA Refocuses our attention on the title: “Kloof” – ravine/narrow gorge His inflexibility… Gap/rift/”kloof” that exists between him and the English-speaking whites

8. though a mild man, frequently dreamt that Circumstance galloped with him riding, that History was thatched into his roof. It hurt him to hear me christened, Roy Kloof. ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGE GRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN POETRY MR OOSTHUYSEN His rigidity is combined with a gentleness - he is split: innate gentleness with and inherited severe harshness and tough bitterness inherited from his ancestors Calvinistic belief that their actions create the destiny/history of the Afrikaner nation PERSONIFICATION His personal achievements create history Afrikaners associated themselves with the Israelites – SA: promised land Because of its incongruity

9. Up behind father with little bright spurs I dreamt I was galloping, gravely horsed. I dreamt of a sceptre: ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGE GRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN POETRY MR OOSTHUYSEN Child’s dream links him with his father – close relationship with father but “behind” Associated with kingship, hunting and power Takes this dream very seriously – behaves “seriously” – wants dad to be proud of him

10. I cried and cried Till rock and shire were divorced. Division incarnate! An unhappy role! My country has given me flint for a soul. ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGE GRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN POETRY MR OOSTHUYSEN Cries because of the impossibility of achieving the dream Repetition: misery & frustration FATHER AND MOTHER Division between English and Afrikaans people in SA “ unhappy role” – caught between his parents – needs to reconcile differences – no clear value system to support him FINAL IMAGE: soul = hard as rock – cannot reconcile conflicts – clash, spark will always remain – individual destroyed by his heritage