This English question involves literary analysis, grammar, or writing skills. The detailed response below provides a well-structured answer with supporting evidence and clear explanations.
ScanSolve AI Answer
In Niyi Osundare's poem NOT MY BUSINESS, euphemism is used to highlight society's indifference to injustice by softening the harsh realities of political oppression and violence. Euphemisms allow characters (and readers) to distance themselves from the brutal truth. 1. "The man they took away": This recurring phrase is a prime example of euphemism. Instead of explicitly stating that someone was abducted, arbitrarily arrested, tortured, or killed, the poem uses the vague and milder phrase "took away." This indirect language masks the violent and often fatal consequences of challenging authority, making it easier for the speaker and the community to rationalize their inaction and pretend the situation is not as dire as it truly is. 2. Indirect references to silencing and disappearance: The poem often alludes to the fate of those who speak out without using direct terms for their suffering or death. For instance, when a character's "voice was hoarse with truth," their subsequent disappearance or silencing is implied rather than explicitly detailed as torture or execution. This euphemistic approach allows the horrors of state repression to be acknowledged in a muted way, preventing the full emotional impact and enabling the "not my business" attitude to persist. Got more? Send 'em.