WAEC & NECO Literature-in-English 2026–2030 | African Poetry
Tone, Mood and Structure of Not My Business
How the speaker’s attitude contrasts with the poet’s, how the poem builds suspense, and how Niyi Osundare arranges its seven stanzas.
This guide explains the tone of Not My Business, its mood and its structure. Niyi Osundare’s poem is short, yet it builds tension skilfully from its first line to its last. Once you understand how, questions on tone and structure become much easier.
Line numbers follow the official WAEC text, which has seven stanzas and 26 lines. For a reminder of what happens in each stanza, see the stanza-by-stanza summary.
Tone and mood: what is the difference?
Tone is the attitude behind the words. Mood, on the other hand, is the feeling the poem creates in the reader. In Not My Business, there are really two tones at work: the speaker’s and the poet’s.
The speaker’s tone: casual and complacent
The speaker reports each arrest in a flat, matter-of-fact way, almost like a news bulletin. Then, in the refrain, he shrugs off any responsibility. His voice sounds relaxed, self-satisfied and unconcerned.
Evidence: The plain reporting in stanza 1 (lines 1–4) and the careless question in the refrain (lines 5–7, 12–14 and 19–21).
The poet’s tone: ironic and critical
Behind the speaker stands the poet, who clearly disapproves of him. Osundare lets the speaker condemn himself through his own words. Readers see the selfishness that the speaker cannot see.
This double voice creates strong irony. The more calmly the speaker dismisses each victim, the more the poet’s criticism comes through.
Evidence: The contrast between the brutal arrests and the speaker’s concern for his yam (lines 6–7).
Get the full Not My Business exam pack
Likely WAEC and NECO essay questions with model answers, plus objective questions with answers for revision and class tests.
The final tone: shock and fear
In the last stanza, everything changes. The speaker’s confidence vanishes as a knock freezes his hand. His voice no longer sounds relaxed. Instead, it carries shock, helplessness and dread.
Evidence: “A knock on the door froze my hungry hand” (line 24) and “Waiting, waiting in its usual silence” (line 26).
The overall tone of Not My Business
Taken as a whole, the tone is ironic and satirical, ending in fear. If an exam question asks for one word, “ironic” is a safe choice. A stronger answer, however, explains the gap between the speaker’s calm voice and the poet’s criticism.
The mood of the poem
Most readers feel growing tension as they read. Each new victim brings the danger a step closer, and the repeated refrain adds a sense of dread. By the end, the mood is chilling, because the silent jeep now waits for the speaker.
Structure of Not My Business
Osundare writes in free verse, with no regular rhyme or metre. The poem has seven stanzas and 26 lines.
| Stanza | Lines | Content |
| Stanza 1 | 1–4 (4 lines) | Akanni beaten and taken (morning) |
| Stanza 2 | 5–7 (3 lines) | Refrain |
| Stanza 3 | 8–11 (4 lines) | Danladi dragged away (night) |
| Stanza 4 | 12–14 (3 lines) | Refrain |
| Stanza 5 | 15–18 (4 lines) | Chinwe sacked (one day) |
| Stanza 6 | 19–21 (3 lines) | Refrain |
| Stanza 7 | 22–26 (5 lines) | The jeep comes for the speaker (evening) |
Key structural features
A repeating pattern. Three stories of injustice alternate with the same three-line refrain. This pattern mirrors the speaker’s routine of ignoring each new victim.
A broken pattern. After stanza 7, the refrain never returns. Its absence shows that the speaker can no longer dismiss what is happening.
Building to a climax. The danger moves closer with each stanza, from a neighbour on the street to a family at home, then to a workplace, and finally to the speaker’s own door.
Movement through time. The attacks happen one morning (line 1), one night (line 8), one day (line 15) and one evening (line 22). No time of day is safe.
Echoes between beginning and end. The waiting jeep appears in line 4 and again in line 25, while the yam returns in line 23. These echoes tie the ending back to the opening.
A storytelling voice. Simple, direct language makes the poem sound like a tale told aloud, which reflects the Yoruba oral tradition that shapes Osundare’s work. For more on his language, read our guide to the poetic devices in Not My Business.
Writing about the tone of Not My Business in the exam
First, name the tone with a precise word such as ironic, complacent or fearful. Then refer to a line that shows it. After that, explain how the tone changes in the final stanza. For structure, mention the refrain pattern and what its disappearance shows. Practise with our Not My Business questions and answers, or return to the complete study guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the tone of Not My Business?
The speaker sounds casual and complacent, while the poet’s tone is ironic and critical. The final stanza turns fearful.
What is the mood of the poem?
Tense and uneasy, becoming chilling at the end.
How many stanzas does Not My Business have?
Seven stanzas and 26 lines, with a refrain in stanzas 2, 4 and 6.
Why does the poem end without the refrain?
The speaker can no longer claim the matter is not his business, because the jeep has come for him.
Teaching this poem?
Get ready-made lesson notes, class tests and exam questions with marking guides for Not My Business and all 12 prescribed poems.
