LITR 5734: Colonial & Postcolonial Literature

Student Poetry Presentation 2005

Poetry reading from Walcott: “A Far Cry from Africa” (17-18)

reader: Tish Wallace

Discussion and Questions

A Far Cry from Africa is Walcott's cry of sorrow, pain, and regrets; feelings that he experience while living away from Africa.  Walcott recalls the times of colonialism and the deaths that occurred because of the natives’ refusal to conform.  He does this in a mist of confusion because he is (as Rebecca Stasney and Luis stated in former presentations) torn between both sides of his culture.

Walcott states that he is divided; yet, he ends the poem asking, “How can I face such slaughter and be cool? How can I turn from Africa and live?”  Is Walcott truly divided on this issue or has he unconsciously made his choice? (Has Walcott come to a decision by the end of the poem to take sides with Africa?) If so, has he become the betrayer he fears?

Stanza 3 - Walcott feels as if his hybridity is fatal (a part of two warring culture).   He loves both parts of himself, but wonders if he should stand up for one and not the other.  At the same time, he does not feel that he can say nothing because of the cruelty and violence that was involved in Africa.  He would not be able to live with himself.  Should he give back what each culture has contributed to his being through DNA and education?  Is this possible? How successfully does Walcott create the possibility of a voice that is whole; one that is global?

Brief Summary of Poem

Stanza 1 - Walcott is taking the reader on a journey through Africa as the Kikuyu fight to secure their land.  This paradise has now become a battle field scattered with bloody corpses.  One can hear those who are responsible for these deaths stating that sympathy should not be wasted on these beasts because they are not worth pitying.  The natives refused to become colonized and therefore this is the result of their indifference.  Walcott questions this policy.  Obviously not understanding how colonial policy can be used as a justification for death.

Stanza 2 - Walcott states that the violence is viewed as something natural and that the white man sees his self as someone who is called to colonize the natives even if this enforcement is that of causing pain to many peoples.  The white man's faith has him in a state of delirium that is equal to that of the worries of the native people.  The wars that he ensues has the natives in suspenseful waiting, the drums representing their heartbeat, restless yet strong.  All of this mayhem and confusion causes the white man some sense of encouragement because the death of many natives has given him the peace he was seeking through colonization.

In summary, Walcott is troubled by the dehumanization and resulting pain that occurred due to colonization.  Being part European and African adds to his inner conflict because he feels as if he is torn between the issues. 

Should he speak up for one and not the other? Or perhaps, is this a call for a greater good, that of humanity? Speaking as one that is not divided, but rather one who believes that every human has a right to be treated with equal respect.