Overall the poet’s memories are saddening but not with anger. They are written in first person singular, as if by the slave but also as if we were the slave – seeing through their eyes. Another point I have noticed is that the poem is all about one. ‘We’ is never used. The slave seems alone. He feels no companionship with the other slaves, who are not once mentioned. Nor does he express any remorse or emotion for those slaves who died those who, in a sense, touch the stick (as in a game of limbo). He talks only about I, himself. He survives alone.
When the slaves reach the shore of the ‘new world’ where they would be working on the sugar plantations the slave steps onto the ‘burning ground’, so in a sense escaping from the ship and starting a fresh life.
The poem is set out in 2 columns with 2 lines grouped together. The poem has a chant like rhythm, like a song. The poet uses a lot of repetition in the poem, and also the incorrect word order and layout of the words I think emphasises the language barrier the slaves were faced with.
I think the poem shows us a sad truth that has happened in the past. Being a Negro himself and an ancestor to the slaves Edward Brathwaite I believe understands the anguish and strife these humans were made to face. The poem although quite short, is very detailed, but one has to try and look beyond the words to see what the poet is describing e.g. ‘knees spread wide and the water is hiding’ this is telling you of the poor women slaves who were raped by their inhuman masters. I like this poem as I believe it is a very deep and thoughtful truth, brought to life through song.
In this poem, the poet Chinua Achebe, asks a lot of deep meaningful questions to the reader of the poem. The poet uses a lot of comparison in this poem, unlike Limbo, as he describes the vultures and humans. The poet lived during a civil war so witnessed first hand the destruction that can be caused, unlike Edward Brathwaite who is writing from stories. Chinua looks deeply into the question of love and hate, the rivalry between the two in this world. The poem poses the question of whether even an inhuman ogre could possibly have some love or compassion, ('Praise bounteous providence if you will that grants even an ogre a tiny glow-worm tenderness encapsulated in icy caverns of a cruel heart….’) but in Limbo the slave masters seem to be portrayed as evil, human beating monsters and does not even beg the question of whether they could be good.
The poet in Vultures, uses metaphors in the poem between the Commandant at Belsen and the vultures, and compares the way they both pray off humans then show love and affection for something else. E.g. the Commandants offspring (child), the vultures mate.
In this poem there is lots of references to war not unlike the references made to the slave ship in Limbo. In Vultures there is lots of detail about the surroundings and characters of the poem, e.g. ‘yesterday they picked the eyes of a swollen corpse……’, ‘….fumes of human roast clinging rebelliously to his hairy nostrils’. In Limbo not much detail or description is used.
Both poets talk about the evil that can live inside humans, which can make them do unthinkable things to fellow man, but in vultures this behaviour is compared to that of a vulture which is not considered the most kindly beast.
Both poems are set out in two columns and they are both read at a fast rate. Limbo although written for chanting/singing, can be similar to Vultures at the tempo they are read at. Limbo is quite basic in its english and uses many short sharp words, whereas Vultures is written using long complicated words all the way through. I believe both poems are based on the treatment of humans and human feeling, but I think Vultures takes the theme a step futher by looking at love/hate and good/evil.
I believe Vultures to be the more interesting and involving poem as it questions your opinions and beliefs. Limbo I feel is quite boring as it is not really a challenging, or very enthralling read.
I think that Chinua Achebe has more hope for man even though there are many failings, whereas Edward Brathwaite although he does finish on the happier note of the slaves reaching a new home, does not seem to posses any belief in the good of man.
Suzie Berry
10C