A Stylistic and Thematic Analysis of Zambian Prison Poetry: The Case of Mwembeshi Maximum Security Prison

Abstract

How the same theme is expressed in different poems, among different poets, is an interesting area of inquiry because style can determine the treatment of theme. Thus, this article dealt with a stylistic and thematic analysis of selected poems written by inmates of Mwembeshi Maximum Security Prison, and the relationship between the poetry and the prisoners’ prison experience. The study proceeded from the premise that inmate poetry offers authentic experience about life in prison. To achieve its aim the study utilised thematic and stylistic analysis of the poems. Among the key findings of the study is the idea that the poems were not only authentic but were reflection of the deepest feelings of the writers, thematically fresh and touching. The study concluded that most of the poems exhibit themes and stylistic approaches that reflect their prison lived experience and that not all poems use figures of speech to express their prison lived experience.