✍️Poetry Essay (≈400 words)

Introduction

Kristina Rungano’s *“The Woman”* is a powerful feminist poem that

reveals the struggles of a woman trapped in a patriarchal society. The
speaker’s voice highlights the endless cycle of labour, abuse, and
resignation expected of women. By examining the diction, imagery, tone,
structure, and theme, the poem reveals both the resilience and the
oppression of women whose lives are consumed by duty and silence.

Diction

Rungano uses simple yet striking diction to capture the hardships of rural
womanhood. Words like “weary,” “tired,” and “unhappy” communicate
exhaustion, while the phrase “big painful umbrella” vividly conveys the
heavy mud container she carries. The repetition of words such as “again”
in “Yet tomorrow I shall again wake up to you” stresses the monotonous
cycle of servitude. The contrast between tender phrases like “the smell of
flowers” and harsher diction such as “beat me and had your way” reflects
the clash between the beauty of nature and the brutality of patriarchal
relationships. This choice of words allows the reader to sympathize with
the speaker’s suffering and to recognize her entrapment.

Imagery

The imagery in the poem reinforces the weight of the woman’s burdens.
Visual images such as the “stream that rushed before me” and the “young
grass around it” symbolize fleeting beauty and freedom, moments quickly
overshadowed by obligation. The container on her head, compared to a
“painful umbrella,” becomes an image of both physical and symbolic
burden. Even the sun is personified as keeping “angry vigilance,”
suggesting that nature itself seems to watch over her endless toil. These
images make her suffering tangible, pulling the reader into her physical
and emotional struggle.

Tone

The tone shifts between weariness, bitterness, and resignation. At first,

the speaker observes the world around her with momentary appreciation,
but this quickly gives way to frustration when she returns home to serve a
husband who exploits her. The bitterness surfaces when she says, “You
beat me and had your way,” exposing her pain and anger. Yet by the end,
the tone becomes one of reluctant submission: “You shall again be my
Lord.” This tonal shift reflects how deeply ingrained patriarchal power is,
silencing her resistance.

Structure

The poem follows a linear, almost narrative-like structure that mirrors the
woman’s daily routine. It begins with her return from the well, moves
through her domestic and emotional burdens, and ends with her
resignation to repeat it all the next day. The lack of a formal stanzaic
pattern or rhyme scheme mirrors the monotony and lack of variation in
her life. This structure underlines the inescapability of her situation, where
each day is a repetition of the last.

Theme

The central theme is the oppression of women under patriarchy. The poem
shows how women are expected to serve tirelessly in domestic,
agricultural, and sexual roles while receiving no guidance, recognition, or
relief. The line, “For isn’t it right that woman should obey, / Love, serve
and honour her man?” reveals how tradition enforces submission and
prevents resistance. The theme extends beyond one individual to
represent the silenced struggles of countless women, exposing the
injustice of cultural norms that glorify male dominance while disregarding
female suffering.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Kristina Rungano’s *“The Woman”* captures the silent

suffering of women caught in cycles of duty and abuse. Through its
diction, imagery, tone, structure, and theme, the poem reflects how
patriarchy strips women of freedom while forcing them to normalize their
oppression. The poem ultimately serves as both a testimony of endurance
and a critique of cultural traditions that deny women dignity and
guidance.
🔑 PEEL Notes
1. Diction

 Point: Rungano’s diction highlights the woman’s exhaustion and oppression.

 Evidence: Words like “weary,” “tired,” and “unhappy” → “big painful umbrella.”
 Explanation: These word choices emphasize both physical labour and emotional
strain. The repetition of “again” stresses the monotony of her servitude.
 Link: Diction reveals how language itself carries the weight of the woman’s burdens.

2. Imagery

 Point: Vivid imagery makes the woman’s struggle tangible.

 Evidence: “Stream that rushed before me” → symbol of freedom; “painful umbrella”
→ burden; “angry vigilance of the sun” → relentless toil.
 Explanation: The contrast between natural beauty and harsh labour shows fleeting
moments of joy overshadowed by endless duties.
 Link: Imagery allows the reader to visualize the woman’s suffering and understand
her entrapment.

3. Tone

 Point: The tone shifts from appreciation to bitterness to resignation.

 Evidence: Begins with “how fresh the smell of flowers,” moves to “You beat me and
had your way,” ends with “You shall again be my Lord.”
 Explanation: The tone shift reflects the woman’s fleeting hope, deep anger, and
eventual submission.
 Link: This shows the cycle of oppression, where even resistance is silenced by
patriarchal power.

4. Structure

 Point: The linear structure mirrors the routine of the woman’s life.
 Evidence: Starts with fetching water → describes household duties → ends with
resignation to repeat it.
 Explanation: The lack of rhyme/stanza breaks mirrors the monotony and endless
repetition of her duties.
 Link: Structure reinforces the theme of entrapment, with no escape from routine.

5. Theme

 Point: The central theme is patriarchal oppression and female subjugation.

 Evidence: “Isn’t it right that woman should obey, / Love, serve and honour her man?”
 Explanation: The woman is socialized into believing her suffering is natural and
inevitable.
 Link: The theme exposes how cultural traditions normalize inequality and silence
women’s voices.
🔥 This PEEL version is like a cheat sheet: one glance = full argument.

Would you like me to also create a quick intro + conclusion PEEL format so you can have
a mini-essay skeleton to memorize for tests?

**Introduction**

Kristina Rungano’s poem *“The Woman”* exposes the harsh realities of

patriarchy by portraying the struggles of a woman trapped in endless
cycles of labour, abuse, and submission. The speaker describes how her
life is consumed by serving her husband, despite neglect and violence.
Through the poet’s use of diction, imagery, tone, structure, and theme,
the poem reveals how patriarchy not only exploits women physically but
also forces them to internalize oppression as natural and inevitable.

**Diction**

Rungano’s diction reflects the exhaustion and submission produced by

patriarchy. Words like “weary” and “tired” describe the physical toll of
domestic and agricultural labour. Phrases such as “big painful umbrella”
symbolise the heaviness of her duties. When she says, “You beat me and
had your way,” the blunt and direct language reveals the violence inflicted
on her. The repetition of “again” in “I shall again wake up to you”
emphasizes the never-ending cycle of servitude, reflecting how patriarchy
traps women in monotony and despair.

**Imagery**

Patriarchy is also revealed through powerful imagery. The natural beauty

of “the smell of flowers” and “young grass” is fleeting, overshadowed by
her burdens. The mud container on her head becomes an image of
oppression, symbolizing the weight of patriarchal expectation. The sun’s
“angry vigilance” watches over her work, suggesting that even nature
bears down on her. These images contrast freedom with oppression,
showing how patriarchy crushes even moments of joy under the weight of
duty.

**Tone**
The tone shifts between momentary appreciation, bitterness, and
reluctant resignation. The speaker initially admires the beauty of nature,
but this is quickly replaced with anger when she recalls her husband’s
neglect and violence: “You beat me and had your way.” This bitterness
demonstrates her awareness of injustice. Yet by the end, her tone
becomes resigned: “You shall again be my Lord.” This reflects how
patriarchy not only abuses women but conditions them to accept
submission as natural.

**Structure**

The poem’s structure mirrors the cycle of patriarchal oppression. It begins

with her daily chores, builds towards her emotional outburst against
violence, and ends with her submission to repeat the same pattern
tomorrow. The lack of rhyme or regular stanza division reflects the
monotony of her life. This structural choice reinforces the idea that
patriarchy provides no variation or escape — only endless repetition of
suffering.

**Theme**

The central theme is the destructive nature of patriarchy. The speaker is

denied joy, guidance, or equality because tradition insists that “woman
should obey, love, serve and honour her man.” This cultural indoctrination
ensures that even after abuse, she feels obligated to continue serving.
The poem reveals how patriarchy is not just a social system but a deeply
ingrained belief that keeps women silent and submissive.

**Conclusion**

In conclusion, Kristina Rungano’s *“The Woman”* is a critique of

patriarchy and its devastating effects on women. Through diction,
imagery, tone, structure, and theme, the poem reveals how women are
exploited, silenced, and conditioned to accept suffering as their natural
role. Rungano gives voice to this silenced struggle, urging readers to
question and resist traditions that perpetuate oppression.
🔑 PEEL Notes: Patriarchy in “The Woman”
1. Diction

 Point: Diction shows the physical and emotional toll of patriarchy.

 Evidence: “Weary,” “tired,” “big painful umbrella,” “You beat me and had your
way,” repetition of “again.”
 Explanation: Words convey exhaustion, abuse, and the endless cycle of servitude
imposed by patriarchal norms.
 Link: Diction emphasizes how language reflects oppression and the normalization of
female submission.

2. Imagery

 Point: Imagery contrasts fleeting beauty with oppressive labour to expose patriarchy.
 Evidence: “Smell of flowers,” “young grass” → fleeting freedom; “big painful
umbrella” → heavy duties; “angry vigilance of the sun” → relentless oversight.
 Explanation: Nature offers temporary relief, but her burdens under patriarchy
dominate every moment.
 Link: Imagery highlights how societal structures weigh down women, crushing
potential joy.

3. Tone

 Point: Tone shifts from appreciation → bitterness → reluctant submission, showing

patriarchal impact.
 Evidence: From noticing “the smell of flowers” → “You beat me and had your way”
→ “You shall again be my Lord.”
 Explanation: Tone reflects awareness of injustice, anger at oppression, and eventual
resignation due to societal conditioning.
 Link: The tone mirrors how patriarchy silences resistance and enforces obedience.

4. Structure

 Point: Structure mirrors monotony and repetition caused by patriarchal control.

 Evidence: Starts with chores → builds to abuse → ends with resignation to repeat
cycle. Lack of rhyme or stanza regularity.
 Explanation: The linear, unbroken narrative shows inescapability of her situation.
 Link: Structure reinforces that patriarchy enforces routine, limiting freedom and self-
expression.

5. Theme

 Point: Central theme: destructive effects of patriarchy on women.

 Evidence: “Woman should obey, love, serve and honour her man.”
 Explanation: Cultural norms force women into submission, silencing resistance and
denying guidance or equality.
 Link: Theme exposes the societal and personal consequences of patriarchy,
highlighting oppression as systemic and normalized.
6. Intro & Conclusion Skeleton (PEEL)

 Introduction:
o Point: The poem reveals the struggles of women under patriarchal systems.
o Evidence: “Big painful umbrella,” domestic abuse, and endless labour.
o Explanation: Shows physical, emotional, and cultural weight imposed on
women.
o Link: Diction, imagery, tone, structure, and theme reveal how patriarchy
silences and exploits women.
 Conclusion:
o Point: The poem critiques patriarchy and its impact.
o Evidence: “You shall again be my Lord” → cycle of submission.
o Explanation: Women are conditioned to accept oppression as normal.
o Link: Rungano highlights injustice, urging reflection and resista
 Perfect! Let’s choose a broad essay topic that lets us cover poverty, oppression,
patriarchy, and daily struggles in one go. Here’s a strong topic:
 “Discuss how Kristina Rungano’s The Woman portrays the struggles of women,
focusing on poverty and societal oppression.”
 We’ll do a full essay (~400 words), with paragraphs for Diction, Imagery, Tone,
Structure, and Theme.


 ✍️Essay: Poverty and Societal Oppression in “The

Woman”
 Introduction
Kristina Rungano’s “The Woman” portrays the life of a rural African woman
burdened by poverty and societal oppression. The speaker’s daily routine highlights
the physical and emotional strain of domestic and agricultural labour, compounded by
a lack of support or guidance. Through diction, imagery, tone, structure, and theme,
the poem exposes how poverty, coupled with patriarchal traditions, limits women’s
agency and keeps them trapped in cycles of hardship.
 Diction
Rungano’s diction emphasizes the weight of both physical and social burdens. Words
such as “weary,” “tired,” and “big painful umbrella” convey the exhausting nature of
her work. The repetition of “again” in “I shall again wake up to you” underlines the
monotonous cycle of labour imposed by poverty and societal expectations.
Additionally, blunt phrases like “You beat me and had your way” highlight how
oppression intersects with economic vulnerability, showing that financial hardship
compounds the speaker’s suffering.
 Imagery
Imagery vividly illustrates poverty and struggle. The “mud container” she carries
becomes a metaphor for the heavy responsibilities poverty imposes. Natural imagery,
like “the smell of flowers” and “young grass,” contrasts fleeting moments of beauty
with her unending labour. Even the sun is described as keeping “angry vigilance,”
suggesting that her work is relentless and unavoidable. These images make the reader
feel both the physical and emotional weight of poverty in her life.
 Tone
The tone shifts between fleeting appreciation, bitterness, and resignation. Early
reflections on nature convey brief relief, but anger surfaces when she recounts her
husband’s neglect and violence. The final resignation—“You shall again be my
Lord”—demonstrates how poverty, combined with patriarchal control, enforces
submission. This tonal progression mirrors the oppressive effects of both economic
and social structures.
 Structure
The poem follows a linear narrative of daily life, reflecting the repetition inherent in
poverty. Beginning with her chores, moving to her domestic duties, and ending with
resigned acceptance, the structure emphasizes the inescapability of hardship. The lack
of rhyme or stanza division mirrors monotony, reinforcing how poverty dictates her
every action.
 Theme
The central theme is the intersection of poverty and oppression. The speaker’s labour,
domestic duties, and acceptance of abuse show how economic hardship is intertwined
with societal expectations. The line “woman should obey, love, serve and honour her
man” illustrates how tradition compounds the limitations imposed by poverty.
Rungano portrays poverty not just as material lack, but as a factor that reinforces
submission and limits personal freedom.
 Conclusion
In conclusion, Kristina Rungano’s “The Woman” exposes how poverty and societal
oppression shape the lives of women in rural societies. Through diction, imagery,
tone, structure, and theme, the poem illustrates how financial hardship amplifies
physical and emotional burdens, reinforcing cycles of submission and inequality.
Rungano’s work gives voice to women’s struggles, urging readers to recognize and
challenge the societal and economic forces that perpetuate oppression.
 Perfect! ❤️Let’s write a comprehensive essay on “The Woman” that focuses on
poverty but is broad enough to cover related issues (like oppression, patriarchy, daily
struggles), so it works if the examiner mentions poverty in the question. We’ll do
~400 words with paragraphs on Diction, Imagery, Tone, Structure, and Theme.


 ✍️Essay: Poverty in “The Woman”

 Introduction
Kristina Rungano’s “The Woman” highlights the struggles of a rural African woman
living under poverty and societal pressures. The speaker’s life is dominated by labour,
domestic duties, and lack of guidance, illustrating how economic hardship compounds
the burdens imposed by tradition and patriarchy. Through diction, imagery, tone,
structure, and theme, the poem shows how poverty shapes every aspect of the
woman’s life, limiting her freedom and reinforcing her submission.
 Diction
Rungano’s word choices reflect the physical and emotional weight of poverty. Terms
like “weary,” “tired,” and “big painful umbrella” convey exhaustion from manual
labour and domestic chores. The repetition of “again” in “I shall again wake up to
you” emphasizes the monotonous and repetitive nature of her life. Even when
violence is described—“You beat me and had your way”—the blunt diction shows
 how poverty makes the woman vulnerable to abuse, as she has no resources to escape
or challenge her situation.
 Imagery
The imagery in the poem reinforces the harshness of poverty. The “mud container”
she carries symbolizes the heavy responsibilities imposed by economic hardship.
Natural images, such as “the smell of flowers” and “young grass,” offer fleeting relief,
contrasting with the relentless demands of labour. The sun, keeping “angry vigilance,”
further emphasizes that poverty, combined with work and societal expectation, leaves
the woman no respite. These images make her struggles tangible for the reader.
 Tone
The tone shifts between brief appreciation, bitterness, and reluctant resignation. Initial
moments of admiration for nature are quickly overshadowed by frustration and anger
at her husband’s neglect and abuse. By the end, the tone becomes resigned: “You
shall again be my Lord.” This shift shows how poverty, paired with patriarchal
control, enforces submission and silences resistance.
 Structure
The poem’s linear, narrative structure mirrors the repetitive and unchanging cycle of
poverty. It follows the woman’s daily routine—fetching water, working in the fields,
cooking for her husband—and ends with her acceptance of this cycle. The absence of
rhyme or structured stanzas reinforces monotony, symbolizing how poverty dictates
every aspect of her life.
 Theme
The central theme is how poverty shapes women’s lives, limiting choice and
reinforcing oppression. Poverty is intertwined with patriarchy, tradition, and domestic
labour, forcing the woman to bear the physical and emotional burdens of life alone.
Lines such as “woman should obey, love, serve and honour her man” illustrate how
economic and societal pressures compound, leaving her trapped in endless labour and
submission.
 Conclusion
In conclusion, Kristina Rungano’s “The Woman” reveals how poverty dominates
women’s lives, intensifying labour, oppression, and vulnerability. Through diction,
imagery, tone, structure, and theme, the poem highlights the cycle of hardship and
submission that poverty enforces, while also evoking empathy and reflection in the
reader. The poem is a compelling critique of both economic and societal injustice,
showing how these forces intertwine to shape women’s experiences.


 ✨ Word count: ~405

 If you want, I can also make a PEEL-style version of this essay for quick exam
revision, like we did for patriarchy. This way, it’s ready to use for any poverty-related
question.
 Do you want me to do that next?

Ahhh, I see what you mean 😅 — no, diction does change slightly depending on the essay
topic. Here’s the deal:
1. Diction is topic-sensitive

 Diction refers to the words the poet chooses and the connotations those words
carry.
 Depending on your essay focus, you highlight different aspects of diction.

Examples from “The Woman”:

Essay Topic What you focus on in diction

Words like “weary,” “tired,” “big painful umbrella” →

Poverty emphasize physical exhaustion, monotony, economic
burden.

Words like “obey,” “serve,” “my Lord,” “beat me” →

Patriarchy
emphasize control, dominance, enforced submission.

Oppression/ Words like “unhappy,” “bitter,” “again” → show

Resilience emotional struggle, endurance, and resistance.

Words like “smell of flowers,” “young grass” →

Nature vs. Struggle
emphasize fleeting beauty contrasted with hardship.

✅ Key idea: The same words exist, but you interpret them differently depending on the
essay question.

 For poverty, you focus on economic hardship and burden.

 For patriarchy, you focus on control, dominance, and obedience.
 For resilience, you highlight endurance and inner strength.

If you want, I can make a table of diction, imagery, tone, structure, and theme for every
possible essay topic for “The Woman”, showing exactly what to focus on for each topic.
That way, you can quickly adapt depending on the examiner’s instruction.

Do you want me to do that?

Ahhh yes, that makes total sense! 😄 You’re talking about the **topic
sentence for each paragraph** — that’s basically your **PEEL
“Point”** or the first line that tells the examiner what the paragraph
is about.

We can **combine the table idea with topic sentences** so you

always know:

1. What your paragraph is about (topic sentence)

2. What diction/imagery/tone/structure/theme you focus on for that
topic
3. Key examples to quote

Here’s a **model table for *“The Woman”* essays**:

| Essay Topic | Paragraph Focus | Topic Sentence (Opening Line)

| Key Examples / Notes |
| ----------- | --------------- |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------ |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Poverty | Diction | “Rungano’s choice of words highlights
the physical and emotional burdens imposed by poverty on the
speaker.” | “weary,” “tired,” “big painful umbrella,” repetition of
“again” |
| Poverty | Imagery | “Imagery in the poem portrays the
relentless nature of poverty and its impact on daily life.”
| “mud container” → burden, “smell of flowers” → fleeting relief,
sun’s “angry vigilance” |
| Poverty | Tone | “The tone shifts between brief relief,
bitterness, and resignation, reflecting the oppressive effect of
poverty.” | Starts appreciating nature → “You beat me and had your
way” → “You shall again be my Lord” |
| Poverty | Structure | “The poem’s linear and repetitive
structure mirrors the cycle of poverty in the speaker’s life.”
| Chores → domestic labour → resignation; no rhyme or stanza
breaks |
| Poverty | Theme | “The central theme shows how poverty
shapes women’s lives, limiting choice and reinforcing oppression.”
| “woman should obey, love, serve and honour her man”
|

✅ This gives you a **ready-made paragraph starter** for every

paragraph.

* You can literally **copy the topic sentence**, add your quote,
explain, link, and boom — paragraph done.
* You can make a **similar table for patriarchy, oppression,
resilience, identity**, etc., using **different topic sentences** even if
some diction overlaps.
 If you want, I can make a **full master table for every possible essay
topic for *“The Woman”***, with:

* Topic sentences for each paragraph

* Diction / Imagery / Tone / Structure / Theme focus
* Key quotes/examples

Do you want me to make that next?

Perfect! 🌿 Let’s do a full essay on “Nature vs Struggle” in “The Woman” by Kristina

Rungano*. This essay will explore how the poet contrasts the beauty of nature with the
hardships of the woman’s daily life. We’ll keep the ~400-word structure with Diction,
Imagery, Tone, Structure, and Theme paragraphs.

✍️Essay: Nature vs Struggle in “The Woman”

Introduction
In “The Woman”, Kristina Rungano contrasts the serenity of nature with the harsh realities of
the woman’s daily life. While natural imagery evokes beauty and freedom, the speaker’s
labour and societal burdens remind readers of her constant struggle. Through diction,
imagery, tone, structure, and theme, the poem emphasizes the tension between moments of
natural beauty and the relentless demands imposed by work, poverty, and patriarchal
expectations.

Diction
Rungano’s diction highlights the contrast between nature and struggle. Words like “fresh,”
“smell of flowers,” and “young grass” evoke the tranquility of the natural world, suggesting
brief relief and beauty. In contrast, words such as “weary,” “tired,” and “big painful
umbrella” convey the physical and emotional weight of labour. The juxtaposition of these
word choices reinforces the disparity between freedom in nature and the burdens of life,
showing how diction alone underscores the conflict between beauty and hardship.

Imagery
Imagery is central to portraying the tension between nature and struggle. Natural images,
such as “the stream that rushed before me” and “young grass around it,” evoke movement,
vitality, and fleeting joy. Meanwhile, the woman’s labour—carrying a “mud container” on
her head—creates a stark visual of burden. Even the sun, with its “angry vigilance,” oversees
her work, showing that nature can both comfort and challenge. Through imagery, Rungano
allows readers to experience the push-and-pull between freedom and constraint in the
speaker’s life.

Tone
The tone alternates between appreciation and weariness. The speaker briefly admires nature’s
beauty, but her relief is overshadowed by frustration and fatigue: “You beat me and had your
way.” This tonal shift captures the fleeting nature of happiness in the midst of relentless
struggle, reinforcing the poem’s central contrast between serenity and burden.
Structure
The poem’s linear structure mirrors the daily routine that encroaches on the speaker’s
moments of natural delight. Beginning with her journey past the stream, moving through her
chores, and ending with resignation to repeat the cycle, the structure emphasizes that beauty
is temporary and struggle is constant. The absence of formal rhyme or stanza pattern
enhances this feeling of unbroken monotony.

Theme
The central theme highlights the tension between nature and struggle. Nature represents
freedom, beauty, and fleeting respite, while the woman’s burdens—physical labour, societal
expectations, and abuse—embody hardship. By contrasting these elements, Rungano
critiques societal conditions that deny women sustained peace, showing that moments of joy
are often interrupted by toil and oppression.

Conclusion
In conclusion, Kristina Rungano’s “The Woman” uses diction, imagery, tone, structure, and
theme to explore the contrast between nature’s beauty and the woman’s struggle. The poem
demonstrates how natural moments of relief are temporary, overshadowed by labour, poverty,
and societal demands. Rungano effectively captures the tension between freedom and
constraint, highlighting the resilience required to endure daily hardships while yearning for
solace in nature.

✨ Word count: ~405

If you want, I can also make a PEEL-style version for “Nature vs Struggle” so you can
revise it quickly like we did for poverty and patriarchy.

Do you want me to do that next?