The vulture poem by david diop biography

They give an image of killing and bloodshed, and the widespread use of war weaponry. On the other hand, the phrases drowned the howling on the plantations, bitter memories of extorted kisses, promises broken and songs of pride allude to the indifference shown by colonizers towards natives, and the unethical liberties they took with the common people.

The result of colonization can only be destruction, as justified by the phrase desolate villages of torn Africa. Civilization kicked us in the face and who knew all the books are phrases that indicate that colonizers generally believe that they are a higher civilization than the natives, and discredit their culture as unscientific and crude.

European invaders forced them to abandon their culture and beliefs and convert to Christianity. They had to embrace a religion that was alien to them, which is an allusion to cultural and social exploitation. Examples are monument of tutelage and songs of pridewhich say that the British perceived the expansion of their empire through colonization as a prospect of victory and glory.

They considered that controlling the Africans was a monument built in their respect. The instances of slavery in the poem are howling on the plantations and mines of Swaziland to the factories of Europe. The Africans were taken as slaves and made to work in plantations, mines, and factories both in their own countries as well as Europe. Their beliefs and customs are closely related to the land in which they live, with which they share an emotional bonding that they refuse to part with.

The line Hope was preserved in us as in a fortress implies that when placed in a challenging circumstance like colonization, or any challenge in life for that matter. Hope is the ultimate weapon one could use to not give up and face the enemy. In this particular context, the Africans had hope still thriving within them which helped them to stand up to their oppressors and lay the foundation for a better future.

This particular season in the year is characterized by beauty and freshness, as it is the time when the harsh winter is over and trees, plants, and flowers blossom again to bear fruits and fragrance. Similarly, the concluding line of the poem, Spring will be reborn under our bright stepsindicates that when there is spring, there is rebirth and a new future for those who have fallen here, the Africans.

In those days When civilization kicked us in the face When holy water slapped our cringing brows. The beginning line of the poem, In those daysimplies that the subsequent accounts are events that have occurred in the past.

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Those days are the days when Africa was colonized by the British. Kicked us in the face implies that the Africans were forced to accept their customs and ideologies against their will, abandoning their own beliefs in the process. The third line denotes yet another change brought about by the British ; conversion to Christianity.

The vultures built in the shadow of their talons The bloodstained monument of tutelage. The fourth line takes on the subject of the British, referring to them as vultures, on account of their savagery. The sh adow of their ta lons implies that Africa was already within their dark grip. There they established complete tutelage or control over the natives, which they perceived as a monument or achievement, as said in the fifth line.

This line marks the end of the first stanza.

The vulture poem by david diop biography: His work always focused

The sixth line marks the beginning of the second stanza. Again, we see the phrase In those days used, so hereby the narration of past experiences is continued. The next line is yet another description of the agony of British Rule, wherein the metallic hell of roads implies that guns and war machinery, which are made of metal, were present all across the country, giving it a hellish appearance.

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The vulture poem by david diop biography: The vultures are the

It left from London with mining gear, beer, coal and household goods. This shows that trade was quite an important factor for the Empire because people were able to use items and foods that they did not get in their own country and it also increases colonisation because some people from the UK The incorporation of what appears to be white smoke or an explosion is an indication of a chaotic pandemonium, suggesting a negative impact of what may occur with a colonisation.

In conclusion, through the exploration of the three texts a negative connotation of post colonialism has been reflected especially the human aspect where natives were socially, politically and economically affected. David Herbert Lawrence Lawrence Marriage of Heaven and Hell. Some key symbols in the poem include:. Vultures: The vultures symbolize the colonizers or the oppressive forces of colonization.

They are depicted as building a "bloody monument" in the shadow of their claws, representing the violence and destruction caused by colonization. Holy Water: Holy water is used symbolically to represent the ineffectiveness of religious or spiritual practices in protecting against the harm caused by colonization. It strikes "domesticated brows," suggesting a lack of true spiritual protection or salvation.

Laughter: Laughter in the poem represents joy, freedom, and humanity. The fact that it "gasp[s] its last" suggests that these qualities are being extinguished or silenced by the horrors of colonization. Paternosters: Paternosters, or prayers, represent the attempt to drown out the suffering and groans of the oppressed. They create a "monotonous rhythm," highlighting the futility of these prayers in alleviating the suffering caused by colonization.

Spring: Spring is used symbolically to represent renewal, regeneration, and the possibility of a brighter future. The mention of spring putting on flesh under the steps of the oppressed suggests a rebirth or renewal of hope and resilience. Citadel: The citadel symbolizes hope and resilience. Despite the devastation caused by colonization, hope remains strong and resilient, like a fortress that cannot be destroyed.

These symbols help to deepen the poem's themes of colonization, oppression, resilience, and hope, adding layers of meaning and imagery that enhance its impact on the reader. Diop, a Senegalese poet, was deeply influenced by his experiences growing up in French-occupied West Africa and his involvement in the struggle for independence. The poem reflects the anger, frustration, and defiance felt by many Africans in the face of colonization and oppression.

It condemns the violence and destruction wrought by colonial powers, using vivid imagery and powerful language to convey the suffering and resilience of the African people. At the same time, "The Vultures" is also a testament to the strength and resilience of the African spirit. Despite the devastation caused by colonization, the poem suggests that hope and resistance still live on in the hearts of the oppressed, symbolized by the citadel that remains intact amidst the destruction.

Overall, "The Vultures" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the complexities of the colonial experience and the enduring spirit of resistance in the face of oppression. The poem's themes of colonization, resistance, and resilience continue to speak to contemporary issues around the world. In regions where colonial legacies persist, such as parts of Africa, Asia, and the Americas, Diop's poem serves as a poignant reminder of the lasting impact of colonization on societies, cultures, and identities.

It underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing the historical injustices that continue to affect these regions. Moreover, the poem's critique of exploitation and dehumanization extends beyond colonial contexts to encompass broader issues of social justice and human rights. It challenges readers to confront systems of power and privilege that perpetuate inequality and marginalization.

It inspires individuals and communities to resist oppression and to strive for justice and equality. Overall, "The Vultures" remains a powerful and relevant work that continues to provoke thought and inspire action against oppression in its various forms. Through vivid imagery, powerful language, and rich symbolism, Diop crafts a poem that resonates with readers across generations and cultures.

The poem's critique of colonization and its effects on identity, culture, and freedom remains relevant in today's world, where many societies continue to grapple with the legacies of colonialism.