Hello Readers! I am Divya Parmar. I am writting this blog to complete my class activity which is given by Yesha Ma'am. In this blog I am going to discusss upon two poems: Vulture by Chinua Achebe and Live Burial by Wole Soyinka
Vulture by Chinua Achebe :
The poem "Vultures" by Chinua Achebe is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that explores the complex nature of humanity and the duality of good and evil. It was first published in 1965 as part of Achebe's poetry collection titled "Beware, Soul Brother and Other Poems."
The poem is inspired by Achebe's observations of vultures scavenging for food in the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War. Achebe uses the vulture as a metaphor for the darker aspects of human nature and explores how even those who commit atrocities are still capable of love and tenderness.
The poem is divided into two parts, with the first part describing the grotesque scene of the vultures feasting on the remains of the dead. The second part then contrasts this with a seemingly unrelated scene of a vulture's nest, where two vultures engage in a loving and affectionate interaction. Through these contrasting images, Achebe presents a powerful message about the complexities of human nature and how even the most evil among us are capable of love and tenderness. The poem challenges readers to question their own assumptions and prejudices about good and evil, and to recognize the potential for both within themselves.
Themes of the Poem :
The poem "Vultures" by Chinua Achebe explores several complex themes, including the duality of good and evil, the fragility of human morality, and the relationship between love and violence. These themes are explored through the use of vivid imagery, powerful symbolism, and a masterful use of language. In this essay, we will discuss each of these themes in detail and examine how they contribute to the overall meaning and impact of the poem.
One of the central themes of "Vultures" is the duality of good and evil. Throughout the poem, Achebe presents a series of contrasting images that highlight the complexity of human nature. For example, in the first stanza, he describes the scene of vultures feeding on the remains of dead bodies:
"In the greyness
And drizzle of one despondent
Dawn unstirred by harbingers
Of sunbreak a vulture
Perching high on broken
This image is striking in its contrast to the previous stanza, and it forces the reader to question their assumptions about good and evil. Achebe suggests that even the most seemingly despicable creatures are capable of love and tenderness, and that these qualities are not mutually exclusive with violence and brutality.
Another theme that runs throughout "Vultures" is the fragility of human morality. Achebe suggests that despite our best intentions, we are all capable of committing acts of cruelty and violence. In the second stanza of the poem, he describes the vulture's head as "smooth bashed-in," evoking the image of a skull or a battered corpse. This image serves as a reminder that violence is never far from us, and that even the most benign creatures can be transformed into instruments of death and destruction.
Furthermore, Achebe suggests that morality is often determined by circumstance, rather than an innate sense of right and wrong. In the final stanza, he describes the vulture's eye as "tiny opaque Beads of jet," suggesting a lack of clarity or certainty. This image implies that our sense of morality is often clouded by external factors such as social norms, cultural expectations, and personal biases, and that what we perceive as right or wrong can be easily swayed by these forces.
Finally, "Vultures" explores the relationship between love and violence. Achebe suggests that these two seemingly opposing forces are intimately connected, and that they both exist within all of us. In the second stanza of the poem, he describes the vulture's head as "rooted in a dump of gross feathers," evoking the image of a diseased and corrupted heart. This image suggests that violence and brutality can emerge from a place of love and tenderness, and that even the most caring and affectionate relationships can be tainted by these darker impulses.
Live Burial by Wole Soyinka :
"Live Burial" is a poem by Wole Soyinka, the Nigerian Nobel laureate, which was first published in 1964. The poem deals with the themes of power, oppression, and the struggle for liberation in post-colonial Africa.
The title of the poem refers to a form of punishment in which a person is buried alive, a gruesome practice that was used in some African societies to punish those who violated societal norms. Soyinka uses this image to explore the idea of being trapped and suffocated by oppressive systems.
The poem is written in free verse and is characterized by vivid imagery and a sense of urgency. Soyinka uses language that is both visceral and abstract, creating a disorienting effect that mirrors the experience of those who are oppressed.
Through "Live Burial," Soyinka speaks to the experiences of those who have been marginalized and oppressed in Africa and beyond. The poem highlights the need for resistance against oppressive systems and the importance of solidarity and collective action in the struggle for liberation.
Thematic Study:
"Live Burial" is a poem that explores the themes of power, oppression, and resistance. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Soyinka critiques the oppressive systems that exist in post-colonial Africa and encourages resistance against these systems.
One of the main themes of the poem is power and its abuses. Soyinka presents power as a corrupting force that can lead to cruelty and injustice. This is exemplified in the opening lines of the poem, where the speaker describes "The hands that bury human beings / Claws that gouge the earth" (lines 1-2). These lines depict the violent and inhumane actions of those who hold power, who are willing to bury people alive as a form of punishment. The poem thus highlights the dangers of unchecked power and the need for those in positions of authority to be held accountable for their actions.
Another theme of the poem is oppression and the struggle for liberation. Soyinka portrays the experience of oppression as one of suffocation and entrapment. This is conveyed through the image of being buried alive, which represents the feeling of being trapped and unable to escape from oppressive systems. The poem encourages resistance against oppression and calls for solidarity and collective action. In the final lines of the poem, the speaker declares, "Let us all arise and sing / The dirge of the buried alive" (lines 19-20). These lines suggest that resistance against oppression is possible and that collective action can lead to liberation.
The poem also touches on the themes of morality and justice. Soyinka presents the act of burying someone alive as a violation of basic human rights and a moral outrage. This is conveyed through the visceral and disturbing imagery of the poem, which forces the reader to confront the cruelty of such an act. The poem calls for justice for those who have been oppressed and emphasizes the importance of holding those in power accountable for their actions.
In conclusion, Wole Soyinka's "Live Burial" is a powerful poem that critiques the abuses of power and encourages resistance against oppressive systems. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, the poem explores themes of power, oppression, resistance, morality, and justice. The poem encourages us to confront the injustices that exist in the world and to take action to resist them.
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