A Critical Review of Childhood Reminiscence in J.P. Clark’s Poetry

Abstract

A superficial outlook into John Pepper Clark’ poetry agrees on the eclectic nature of his compositions in verse. Despite being the most prolific poet among his first generation peers and other poets in Nigeria, the argument about flexibility of his compositions has been used to explain the keen attention that Clark’s poetry has received. The study takes a critical look at the compositions of JP Clark on childhood experiences, which is one of the prominent subjects that cuts across his poetry oeuvre. The article showcases how the isolated poetic compositions have been used to advance the aestheticism of childhood experiences and, to project the African essence of living and its interconnection with humane values. The conclusion of the article reinforces the strengths in the eclecticism in Clark’s poetry but also observes that the subject of childhood is mostly neglected by many Nigerian poets to social political issues. However, the overriding presence of sociopolitical themes should yield some ground to reflections on childhood to form the basis for examination of the current state and validate the pedagogies which may resolve contemporary dilemmas.