What is Benjamin Zephaniah best known for?
Introduction. The British writer Benjamin Zephaniah is known for his poetry as well as novels, plays, and other works. His poetry is called “dub poetry,” which means that is performed—the words are recited over the beat of reggae music.
What inspired Benjamin Zephaniah to write poems?
When he was young, Benjamin found it difficult to read and write and left school when he was just 13 years old. Inspired by Jamaica and what he has nicknamed ‘street politics’, Benjamin began creating poetry. Benjamin strongly opposes the idea that poetry is only for people in academia.
What does Benjamin Zephaniah usually write?
Today he holds a handful of honorary degrees. In 2008 he appeared in The Times list of top 50 post-war writers. Zephaniah’s work is often described as dub poetry, a form of oral performance poetry that is sometimes staged to music and which typically draws on the rhythms of reggae and the rhetoric of Rastafarianism.
How did Benjamin Zephaniah learn to read and write?
Having been told by teachers that his poor reading abilities were a result of his race and he was likely to end up in prison, a young Zephaniah didn’t think that his future would be bright. It wasn’t until he went to night school as an adult for reading and writing instruction that he learned he was dyslexic.
How did Benjamin Zephaniah get famous?
He published his first book of poetry which sold well. He also made a name writing and reading his poems in clubs and other venues. His poems seemed to capture the mood of the early 1980s in Britain, and were often about homelessness or unemployment. He was described as Britain’s most recognizable poet.
Was Benjamin Zephaniah born in Jamaica?
Early life and education Zephaniah was born and raised in the Handsworth district of Birmingham, England, which he has called the “Jamaican capital of Europe”. He is the son of a Barbadian postman and a Jamaican nurse. A dyslexic, he attended an approved school but left aged 13 unable to read or write.
Was Benjamin Zephaniah a refugee?
Refugee Boy is a teen novel written by Benjamin Zephaniah. It is a book about Alem Kelo, a 14-year-old refugee from Ethiopia and Eritrea. It was first published by Bloomsbury on 28 August 2001 ….Refugee Boy.
| First edition | |
|---|---|
| Author | Benjamin Zephaniah |
| Publication date | 28 August 2001 |
| Pages | 224 pp (Paperback edition) |
What happens in chapter 14 of refugee boy?
Alem’s mother has been murdered. Chapter 14: Life After Death Sheila and Nicholas visit Alem to discuss his appeal. After a few days off, he goes back to school. He brings Robert home to meet the Fitzgeralds.
What happens in the book refugee boy?
Refugee Boy is about a boy whose parents are from Ethiopia and Eritrea. It’s set at a time of civil war between the two countries; his mum is from Eritrea and his dad is from Ethiopia. His father brought him to England to get him away from the war, to safety, and after three days he left him and returned to Africa.
What happens in chapter 23 of refugee boy?
Chapter 23: This is War Too Alem is awarded a Positive Pupil Certificate at school. Alem goes back to the hotel to show his father his certificate. He is not there. Sheila and Mariam arrive to say that Mr Kelo has been shot dead in the street.