世纪文学DerekWalcott.pptVIP

Derek Walcott (1930~ ) “A Far Cry From Africa” Derek Walcott (1930- ) Derek Walcott Major Themes binary oppositions: white and black, colonizer and colonizer, British and West Indian synthesis - a resolution of his hybrid identity 　 Odyssey: voyaging, travel through cultures and space; “Omeros”--Walcotts intention is to bring forth the Homeric quality of Caribbean life “A Far Cry from Africa” The conflict between Walcott’s loyalties to Africa and to Britain The inability to resolve the paradox of his hybrid inheritance. “A Far Cry From Africa” A wind is ruffling the tawny pelt Of Africa. Kikuyu, quick as flies Batten upon the bloodstreams of the veldt. Corpses are scattered through a paradise. 5 Only the worm, colonel of carrion, cries: Waste no compassion on these separate dead Statistics justify and scholars seize The salients of colonial policy. What is that to the white child hacked in bed? 10 To savages, expendable as Jews? 1: Refers to the Mau Mau Uprising 2-6: Bloody battle between European settlers and the native Kikuyu tribe 5:The authoritative British “A Far Cry from Africa” Threshed out by beaters, the long rushes break In a white dust of ibises whose cries Have wheeled since civilizations dawn From the parched river or beast-teeming plain;15 The violence of beast on beast is read As natural law, but upright man Seeks his divinity by inflicting pain. Delirious as these worried beasts, his wars Dance to the tightened carcass of a drum,20 While he calls courage still, that native dread Of the white peace contracted by the dead.? 1-21: Refer to the Kenyan conflict “A Far Cry from Africa” Again brutish necessity wipes its hands Upon the napkin of a dirty cause, again A waste of our compassion, as with Spain.25 The gorilla wrestles with the superman. I who am poisoned with the blood of both, Where shall I turn,