Form Six English Poem: Building the Nation – Summary, Themes & Analysis

“Building the Nation” – Background of the Poet

“Building the Nation” is a poem written by Christopher Henry Muwanga Barlow, a Ugandan poet who lived between 1929 and 2006. He is well known for this poem, which reflects on issues of national development and responsibility. In recognition of his contribution, he was awarded the Uganda Golden Jubilee Medal in 2013.

Barlow studied at King’s College Budo from 1936 to 1948, where he was active in sports such as cricket and lawn tennis. It was during his time at this school that he discovered his passion for poetry. Later, he joined Makerere University College between 1949 and 1953, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of London. He was among the first group of thirteen students to be awarded degrees from the institution, as earlier it only offered diplomas.

Through his education and literary work, Barlow became an important voice in Ugandan poetry, especially in highlighting social and national issues such as leadership and nation-building.

“Building the Nation”

The poem describes a civil servant who feels that he has contributed to “building the nation” in his own way. On that day, he spends his time driving a Permanent Secretary to an important official function, which turns out to be a luxurious lunch at a high-end hotel.

The lunch is described as rich and comfortable, with drinks, food, and light conversation. There is beer, chicken, wine, ice cream, and coffee—all used more to enjoy time and maintain formality than for any serious national duty. The atmosphere is full of jokes, laughter, and empty conversations, showing a relaxed and privileged lifestyle.

After the event, the driver takes the Permanent Secretary back home. On the way, the official keeps yawning and then casually asks the driver if he has eaten anything that day. The driver replies honestly that he has not had lunch, though he is secretly amused by the question being asked so late.

Surprisingly, the Permanent Secretary also admits that he did not eat, explaining that he was busy attending serious government matters and diplomatic responsibilities, which cause him stress and even health problems like stomach ulcers.

The driver then reflects that while the Secretary’s ulcers are caused by overeating and stress, his own discomfort is caused by hunger. Ironically, both of them claim to be “building the nation,” but in completely different ways—one through comfort and privilege, and the other through hardship and neglect.

In the end, both men return home suffering in different ways, showing the contrast between the leaders who enjoy the system and the ordinary workers who struggle silently while serving the same nation.

INTRODUCTION

The poem mainly focuses on the lifestyle of the African elite who came into power after independence. Instead of creating positive change and improving the lives of ordinary people, these leaders have ended up copying the same lifestyle of the former colonial rulers. As a result, the idea of true nation-building has been ignored or pushed aside.

The poet criticizes this situation, showing that leaders often pretend to care about the welfare of citizens, but in reality, they focus on enjoying privileges for themselves. The poem therefore calls attention to the hypocrisy of those in power and questions their true commitment to building the nation.

THEMATIC ANALYSIS

1. Disillusionment / Disappointment

The poem expresses disappointment with African leaders who behave like the colonial rulers they replaced. Instead of improving the nation, they waste resources on luxuries and personal comfort.

This is clearly shown in the description of the official lunch, which includes expensive food, drinks, and unnecessary entertainment. These details suggest that serious national matters are not being handled with the importance they deserve. The persona becomes disillusioned because what is called “nation-building” is actually full of waste and meaningless activities.

2. Lies and Hypocrisy

The poem also exposes dishonesty among leaders. Politicians often pretend to be concerned about others while hiding the truth about their own comfort and privileges.

The Permanent Secretary claims he did not eat, just like the driver, yet the reader knows he had a luxurious meal. His question to the driver about lunch is not out of care, but simply to make conversation and stay awake. This shows the hypocrisy and false concern of those in authority.

3. Social Classes / Marginalization

The poem reveals the existence of two social classes in society: the powerful elite and the ordinary working class. The elite enjoy wealth and comfort, while the lower class struggles and serves them.

The driver represents the working class, who does all the hard work but does not benefit from the system. Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary enjoys luxury at the expense of others. This shows how the rich benefit from national resources while the poor remain excluded and marginalized.

4. Exploitation

The poem further shows how the working class is exploited by those in power. While the elites enjoy expensive meals and comfortable lifestyles, the workers remain hungry and overworked.

The driver spends his day working and serving, yet he receives nothing in return, while the officials misuse public resources. The poet uses this contrast to highlight how unfair and exploitative the system is. True nation-building is replaced by self-interest and personal gain.

Overall Message

The poem criticizes post-independence African leadership for failing to serve the people. Instead of building the nation, leaders focus on personal comfort, leading to inequality, exploitation, and disappointment among ordinary citizens.

“Building the Nation” – Awareness, Messages, Relevance & Guiding Question

1. Awareness

The poem shows that the oppressed, exploited, and marginalized people are now becoming aware of the unfair system they live in. This awareness is important because it is the first step toward freedom and real change in society. It also supports the idea of fair and sustainable development where national resources benefit everyone, not just the ruling class.

Towards the end of the poem, there is a strong emotional message suggesting frustration. The line about “two nation builders arriving home with terrible stomach pains” reflects how both the rich and the poor suffer in different ways. This can be understood as a call for people to recognize injustice and possibly take action against it.

2. Misuse of Public Resources

The poem shows how leaders misuse public resources. The Permanent Secretary attends an official meeting that is supposed to focus on national issues, but instead it turns into a luxurious lunch filled with food, jokes, and entertainment.

Government time, vehicles, and resources are used for personal enjoyment rather than national service. This shows a clear misuse of public property and working hours, where leaders benefit themselves instead of serving the country.

3. Repercussion of Lifestyle

The poem also shows that both the upper and lower classes suffer because of their lifestyles. The driver suffers from hunger due to lack of food, while the Permanent Secretary suffers from overindulgence and stomach problems caused by excessive eating.

This irony shows that both groups experience consequences, even though in different ways. It highlights that unhealthy lifestyles and poor leadership decisions affect everyone in society.

4. Messages from the Poem

Public servants should respect and properly use government resources.
If leaders continue to misuse power, it may lead to resistance or revolt from the oppressed.
Hypocrisy, social classes, and exploitation should be discouraged.
Awareness among the oppressed is important for social change.
Every person, regardless of status, has weaknesses and faces consequences of their actions.

5. Relevance of the Poem

The poem is still very relevant today. In many societies, there are still leaders who misuse public funds while ordinary citizens live in poverty. Issues such as corruption, inequality, exploitation, and class divisions are still common in modern communities.

6. Guiding Questions

a. What is the poem about?
The poem is about nation-building in post-colonial Africa. It shows how African leaders replaced colonial rulers but continued similar patterns of exploitation, corruption, and inequality.

b. Who is the persona? How do you know?
The persona is a chauffeur (driver) who represents the working or lower class. This is shown when he says, “I drove the permanent secretary,” indicating his role as a servant to the ruling class.

c. Literary and poetic devices used in the poem

Alliteration: repetition of sounds such as in “Cold Bell beer” and “secretly smiling.”
Barbarism: use of local language like “Mwananchi.”
Onomatopoeia: words like “yawning” that suggest sound.
Satire: the idea of calling a lunch an “important urgent function.”
Irony: the title “Building the Nation” is ironic because the characters are not truly building the nation.

d. Why did the PS ask, “Did you have any lunch friend?”
The question was not out of concern. It was mainly to keep himself awake during the journey, not because he cared about the driver’s well-being.

e. Tone and mood of the poem
The tone is ironic and satirical, while the mood is angry and critical, especially towards the ruling class and their behavior.

f. Type of poem
It is a lyric poem because it expresses strong personal feelings, but it also has narrative elements since it tells a story about events involving the driver and the Permanent Secretary.

g. Were the two people really building the nation?
No. The phrase is used ironically. The poet criticizes the idea that leaders claim to be building the nation, while in reality they are only enjoying privileges and “building their stomachs” instead of serving the people.

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