Derek Walcott’s “A Far Cry
from Africa”
(Summary
by Dr Suresh Frederick)
Introduction
Derek Walcott’s “A Far Cry from Africa”
delves into the complex and often agonizing experience of cultural hybridity,
particularly for those caught between their African heritage and their colonial
upbringing. The poem, written in 1962 during the Mau Mau Uprising in Kenya,
explores the poet's own divided loyalties as he witnesses the violent struggle
for independence. Through vivid imagery, stark contrasts, and a deeply conflicted
tone, Walcott captures the emotional turmoil of being both connected to and
alienated from the land of his ancestors.
An idiom is used in the poem's title: “a
far cry” denotes an impossibility. However, it appears that the poet uses the
phrases in other contexts as well; in one sense, the title implies that the
poet is writing from a distance about an African subject. He feels a great
distance from Africa, both practically and figuratively, as he writes from the
island of St. Lucia. Another interpretation of “a far cry” is that the actual
status of the African “paradise” differs greatly from the Africa all have read
about in stories of stunning wildlife and flora as well as fascinating local
traditions. The idea that Walcott heard the poem as a distant scream travelling
across thousands of miles of ocean is a third level of significance for the
title. The cry reaches him through the wind.
The poem opens with a graphic
depiction of violence, setting the stage for the central conflict. The image of
the “Kikuyu, quick as flies / Battening upon the bloodstreams of the veldt”
immediately establishes the brutality of the uprising. This animal imagery is
juxtaposed with descriptions of the natural beauty of Africa, creating a stark
contrast between the idyllic landscape and the horrific reality of violence.
This contrast mirrors the poet's own internal struggle, as he is torn between
his appreciation for the beauty of his ancestral homeland and his horror at the
bloodshed.
Walcott’s divided loyalties are
further emphasized through his use of language. The poem is written in English,
the language of the colonizer, reflecting the poet's own hybrid identity. This
linguistic duality underscores the central theme of the poem: the difficulty of
reconciling two seemingly opposing cultural influences.
The poet's internal conflict is
perhaps most poignantly expressed in the lines, “I who am poisoned with the
blood of both, / Where shall I turn, divided to the vein?” This rhetorical
question reveals the depth of Walcott's anguish. He feels a sense of belonging
to both the African and European worlds, yet he is simultaneously alienated
from both. He is “poisoned” by the violence and injustice of colonialism, but
also by the brutal acts committed in the name of liberation.
Walcott does not offer any easy
answers or resolutions to this complex dilemma. Instead, he presents the reader
with the raw, unfiltered emotions of a man grappling with his own hybridity.
The poem ends with a sense of unresolved tension, reflecting the ongoing
struggle for identity and belonging in a postcolonial world. The final image of
the "gorilla wrestles with the superman" symbolizes the continuing
clash between the forces of colonialism and the desire for African liberation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Derek Walcott’s “A Far
Cry from Africa” reveals the poem’s enduring relevance in exploring the
complexities of postcolonial identity. Scholars often highlight the poem's
masterful use of language, imagery, and form to convey the poet's divided
loyalties and the psychological toll of cultural hybridity. Discussions
frequently centre on the poem’s historical context within the Mau Mau uprising,
examining how Walcott navigates the violence and political turmoil of the
period.
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