West Indian Poetry Essay Example For Students

West Indian Poetry Essay Both poets have significantly presented their purposes and mission in and through their work. Eric Roach poems display his passion for the land and the people, both of which are so clearly West Indian. The poems The flowering rock and Poem, show Roachs way of thinking and involves the reader into what he sees. The poem The flowering rock was written either between the periods, 1938-1974. The title of the poem signifies that, out of something hard and inanimate, flourishes beautiful life, in the form of a flower. Roach may have written this poem to recreate a sense of self-worth in the people of the West Indies. Colonialism, however had replaced self-worth with self-contempt, establishing images of West Indians as dhotis or uneducated. One might suggest that it portrays a struggle between the West Indian African people and the culture of the Europeans. Even though the African people are in a struggle experiencing a state of suppression, they adapt to the changes. These individuals, in addition, do not allow the British influence to break their stride and take away their Joy. They envelop a positive mind-set and look forward to the future. In the poem, flowering rock, personification functions as a device of art. The words used, creates an image within the readers head, this therefore, evokes the intensity of feeling in order to clearly understand what concept the poet is trying to exhibit. For Roach, nature is his muse, or inspiration. He connects concepts and feelings through landscape. The stream water croons Cool rhythms among stones, a sense of easiness is awarded. More so, throughout the poem, there is a pattern of compare and contrast. Its seems like there is a comparison between two worlds. Our hearts break not Though they are ever broken, A froth of laughter Tops our sea of sorrows. This suggests that even though reality is painful, these people are strong. Its shows that despite the control of the British over them, the hardships they undergo, it cannot take away their spirit. There is much beauty that encompasses them and that beauty cracks the struggle. Our voices bear the tracery of tears, the burden of their cadence Our hope begin its orisons. In addition, the repetition of the word our, that occurs constantly within the poem sets up barriers for ownership. Our village girls, our hearts break, our voices, our symbol, our souls and our hope. The West Indian people have in spite of he pressures of the British influence and way of life, have made a way to show what is theirs and be proud even if it is not the greatest, it is who they are, it is their identity. The tone of this poem is proud, whereas the mood is one of aspiration. Roach does a great Job, with the use of his words and the incorporation of nature to bring across his message. The poem can take th e form of a story where you can relate, and connect with what the reader is saying. Roach, does hold back or sugar coat, his words. He shows that West Indian people though coming turmoil we are not damaged, our beauty is in our struggle. We as a West Mind diamond on the rough, regardless if we starve today, we are tumor Poem by Eric Roach is also another poem with which nature is us 23 poetry. In the flowering rock, he uses landscape but, in Poem an reptile (serpent) is his creative influence. The title Poem may Simi writing in which Roach expresses his feelings and ideas. The mood sense of payback, whereas the tone is satisfaction. In this poem, R e serpent, symbolic for the root of all evils that are faced by him, We and people of the world. A serpent has connotative meanings data pleasant due to their biblical encounter in the early story of create Serpents are seen as deceptive, sneaky, and venomous. The even serpent can act as the calamities of slavery, hate, racism, poverty society. Roach however, sees the serpent as the British colonizers, every infliction experienced by West Indians. The poem speaks of t the serpent undergoes shedding of the skin. The serpent in this pr vulnerable because it is at its weakest. It is a very intense, violent p It is like a self-imposed hell. Compare the changing attitudes/views on war between 'The Going of the Battery', 'The Send-off' and 'Joining the Colours' EssayThey hurt both the people and landscape of the country. In addition not only do these invaders have the a kill, but to target the hope and aspirations of the Gayness people, to become independent nation. The overall mood of the poem would be of sadness an The persona is making aware the terrible events his country is facing. Where tone of the poem is one of warning, the persona warns his people to be awe angers that surround you. Another poem by Martin Carter is Childhood o This poem was written in the sasss. The title of this poem speaks volumes. Is poems uses a lot of analogies. With reference to This is the dark time m the phrase Childhood of a voice is repeated within the poem. Martin Carte describing the voice of the persona as childlike. This poem one might sue about Martin carters persistence, devotion and active role to help his count to become inde pendent of the British rule. He has persevered and done all can do, yet no progress is made where he can witness the day his country g redeem. The familiar white street is tired of always running east, The sky arching over, The tree of always reaching up. Carter therefore is tired and feels a sense of defeat, the repetition of the phrase Childhood of a voice shows his petitions and actions falling on deaf ears. No action is taking place. People neglect to consider what children have to say as important. The persona also with frustration is still having hope. The light oppresses and the darkness frees. The day time is where people engage with each other at work, school and leisure. This is also the time to experience the strife, war and ignorance of the British rule. But the darkness is a time of rest and reflection in the comfort of their homes, night eases the mind to face yet another day. Though this period seems like a never-ending depression the persona hopes and pleads for a brighter tomorrow. But if only the rain fall, and the sky we have not seen so long come blue again. The mood of the poem is somewhat depressing, and the tone demonstrates a sigh of defeat. Both Eric Roach and Martin Carter are very observant poets. They both use nature, the landscape of their countries as their tool to successfully bring forth their sage. Flowers, rocks, mountains, trees are all elements of nature that we take for granted each day. Roach and Carter takes these simple things in life, which we can relate to and make profound thought provoking statements. These poets can be seen as historians, they write to bring awareness to the present and the future of what makes up our identity West Indians, their political and philosophical stance. Granted that both poets use the same inspiration they execute quite differently. Roach tends to be a more coded writer where his mission and message is hidden, whereas Carter is a more out right, in your face straight to the point poet, but uses his words tastefully, and also at times codes his work.