LITR 5734: Colonial & Postcolonial Literature

Student Poetry Presentation 2008

Thursday, 17 April: Jamaica Kincaid, Lucy (

·        Poetry reading from Walcott: “The Gulf” (104-108)

reader: Tanya Stanley

Poetry Presentation:  Derek Walcott’s “The Gulf”

          While reviewing Kelley Gutridge’s 2003 presentation of “The Gulf”, I found a discussion of the imagery of nature, images of death and rebirth, and images of New Orleans (which was suggested where Walcott may have felt he finally fit in).  Dr. White responded to the presenters of the poem by saying “New Orleans is the closest identity we have for Creoles - a legitimate identity in New Orleans - a stepping stone between South and the Caribbean.”  In a poem that represents a lot of negation, the idea of the stepping stone—a positive notion within our study of colonialism and post colonialism is an uplifting notion which is not something we are used to reading about or discussing.

Section I

journey of the persona

“We’re in the air,”

Southern hospitality—he never met a stranger

Section II

“glass the image of our pain;”

mirror (one’s lack of confidence by seeing their reflection)

a cup thrown in anger

a window where a lonely child watches other children playing without her

picture in a frame:  someone we miss, someone we love, someone we hate, someone we desire

looking out an airplane window watching your home and loved ones fading

Section III

Even though the persona mentions the JFK and MLK assassinations and the discrimination in section I, “the South felt like home.”

Section IV

“uninstructing”

--because they are not saying anything or because they will not listen

Questions:

1. Do you think the persona has a fear of flying or a fear of leaving home?

2. Do you think the persona has a positive or negative view of the gulf?  Why?  Where in the poem can you support your response?

3. Do you think Walcott has a longing or a loathing for the gulf?  Why?  Support your response using themes or images within the poem?

Dr. White's question:

4. Discuss the metaphorical and literal impact of the title: "The Gulf."