LITR / CRCL 5734: Colonial & Postcolonial Literature

Student Poetry Presentation, 2003 

Poetry reading from Walcott: from Midsummer, XXVII (pp. 486-487)

reader: Cynthia Garza
respondent: Ashley Salter
recorder: Greg Johnson
Tuesday, 3 June

Brief overview:

            Andrea Winters of the 2001 class suggests that, “Walcott is expressing the conflict he has between the old and the new St. Thomas.  He has a struggle between two worlds, the old nature and the new industry.”  Walcott uses various industrial words and images: “chain-link fence,” “grey, metal light,” ‘engine off,” “airstrip,” “fenced-off beaches,” “Bulldozers,” and “sheets of zinc.”  The title is simply named for the time period in which Walcott wrote the poem.  The “diary-like tone give[s] the sense of a poet charting his preoccupations during the course of a year,” Peter Balakian of Gale Literary databases classifies the poem.  Balakian describes Walcott as, “a cosmopolitan poet absorbing the pulse of many cultures.”  The poet’s choice of the words “umpire” and “empire” in line four suggests that America likes to make decisions and rulings in the world, but not necessarily rule the world.  Possibly America is fair and “empire” insinuates absolute power, with no negotiation.

Definitions:

Cessna – type of plane

casuarinas – a tree found mainly in Australia and some parts of Asia with needle-shaped leaves that form whorls at the end of short branches

acetylene – a colorless gas used especially in metal cutting and welding, as an illuminant, and in organic synthesis

corpuscles – an unattached cell; any minute particle

fealty – faithful to his lord; fidelity, faithfulness, loyalty 

Question: Though Walcott seems to be struggling not only internally, but externally, have his loyalties changed?  More importantly, do they have to?

Class Discussion:

Ashley mentioned how Walcott went to a level where he could not change things- corpuscles, fealty, etc…

Kim added how American “inked” the tone is.

Cynthia added that Peter Balakian states that this collection of poems is Walcott’s “most American book.”

Greg added reading prompted thoughts of Walcott born to “middle” and unable to change state (personal vs. nation) being drawn like a season towards change.

Charley said British brought change quietly (umpire) while America marches forward like empire.

It was said that leaves have green cards because they must prove their indigenousness to the land.  In addition, Walcott’s lament of loss of self to grand idea, why not a forth wave to capture those like him?

Robert reminds how Bush insists upon forcing America on middle eastern problems.

The conversation changed towards the break up of nations/empires.

Dr. White reminds that as nationhood transitions, individuals take on a more global perspective.

Rosalyn offers “how much has technology made the world a global village?”

Natalie mentioned how disenfranchised post colonial literature leaves the younger population- nothing to do, no investment, in country or society.  

Kelly added how American oil interest has invaded Africa, Russia, and Mexico.