Derek Walcott's poem "A Far Cry from Africa" (1962) is a response to the Mau Mau Uprising in Kenya, a guerrilla war fought by native Kenyans against British colonists from 1952 to 1960. The poem explores the theme of colonialism and divided identity, as the speaker of the poem is implied to have both African and English heritage.
The speaker struggles to reconcile his love for the English language and literature with his sympathy for the African resistance and his abhorrence of the violence on both sides. The poem also examines the themes of language as a tool of resistance and self-expression, and humanity and violence, as the speaker questions the morality and consequences of the conflict. The poem consists of two stanzas of unequal length, each containing 17 lines. The rhyme scheme is irregular and varies throughout the poem, creating a sense of instability and unpredictability. The meter is also inconsistent but mostly follows an iambic pentameter, which is a common form in English poetry. The use of iambic pentameter may suggest the speaker's familiarity and affinity with the English poetic tradition, but also his inability to fit into it perfectly.
The first stanza introduces the setting and context of the poem, as well as the speaker's dilemma. The speaker describes the Kenyan landscape as a "wind is ruffling the tawny pelt / Of Africa" (lines 1-2), using a metaphor that compares Africa to a wild animal. This image conveys both the beauty and the danger of the continent, as well as its resistance to domestication by the colonizers. The speaker then contrasts this image with the "corpses" that are "scattered through a paradise" (line 4), referring to the casualties of the war. The speaker uses irony to highlight the contrast between the natural beauty of Africa and the unnatural horror of colonial violence. The speaker then reveals his mixed ancestry, as he says "I who am poisoned with the blood of both" (line 5). The word "poisoned" suggests that the speaker feels contaminated and corrupted by his dual heritage, as he cannot identify with either side fully. He also feels guilty and conflicted, as he asks "Where shall I turn, divided to the vein?" (line 6).
The speaker does not know where his loyalty lies, or where he belongs. He is literally and figuratively divided by his blood. The speaker then criticizes the British colonizers for their oppression and exploitation of the native Kenyans, as he says "Statistics justify and scholars seize / The salients of colonial policy" (lines 7-8). The speaker accuses the British of using numbers and academic arguments to rationalize their domination and violence over the Africans. He also compares them to Nazis, as he asks "What is that to the white child hacked in bed? / To savages, expendable as Jews?" (lines 9-10). The speaker uses rhetorical questions to challenge the morality and humanity of the British, who treat the Africans as inferior and disposable. However, the speaker also condemns the brutality of the Mau Mau rebels, who are fighting for their independence from British rule. He describes them as "Threshed out by beaters, [...] / Batten upon ... / A waste of our compassion" (lines 11-14). The speaker uses animal imagery to depict the rebels as savage and violent, who feed on human flesh and blood. He also suggests that they are unworthy of sympathy or pity, as they waste their humanity on violence.
The speaker then questions his own role in this conflict, as he says "The violence of beast on beast is read / As natural law" (lines 15-16). He wonders if violence is inherent in human nature, or if it is a result of colonialism. He also wonders if he can escape or resist this violence, or if he is doomed to participate in it. He asks "But who is innocent?" (line 17), implying that no one is free from guilt or responsibility in this war. The second stanza focuses on the speaker's personal dilemma and his attempt to find a resolution. He begins by addressing Africa directly, as he says "Africa? A green leap / For a white eye" (lines 18-19). He uses a metaphor that compares Africa to a green frog that leaps out of reach for a white eye that tries to catch it. This image suggests that Africa is elusive and inaccessible for someone who has a white perspective or heritage. It also suggests that Africa is vibrant and alive, while whiteness is dull and dead.
The speaker then expresses his admiration and respect for the African culture and history, as he says “Or parable of the origin of man / And Eden” (lines 20-21). He uses a biblical allusion to suggest that Africa is the cradle of humanity and the source of paradise. He also praises the African oral tradition, as he says “The voice of Africa, a mouth that tries / Among the cruel … / To cry the pain of history” (lines 22-24). He personifies Africa as a voice that speaks out against the oppression and injustice that it has suffered throughout history. He also implies that Africa has a unique and powerful way of expressing itself, through its language and literature.
However, the speaker also acknowledges his love and attachment to the English language and literature, as he says “But this is my pride, / The English tongue I love” (lines 25-26). He uses a contrastive conjunction (“but”) to show the contradiction between his admiration for Africa and his love for England. He admits that he is proud of his English heritage and that he loves the English language for its beauty and richness. He also recognizes that the English language has given him a voice and a means of self-expression, as he says “A mouth like mine to summon / Its sweetness” (lines 27-28). He uses a simile to compare his mouth to the mouth of Africa, suggesting that they both can use language as a tool of resistance and creativity.
However, the speaker also realizes that his love for the English language comes at a cost, as he says “And every dialect incantation” (line 29). He uses an oxymoron to contrast the idea of dialect and incantation, suggesting that the English language is both diverse and magical, but also oppressive and violent. He knows that the English language has been used to colonize and dominate other cultures, including his own. He also knows that his use of the English language may alienate him from his African roots, as he says “That carried me from exile” (line 30). He uses a metaphor to suggest that the English language has transported him away from his homeland, but also from his true identity.
The speaker then concludes the poem with a series of rhetorical questions, as he says “How choose / Between this Africa and the English tongue I love? / Betray them both, or give back what they give? / How can I face such slaughter and be cool? / How can I turn from Africa and live?” (lines 31-35). These questions reveal the speaker’s deep ambivalence and confusion, as he does not know how to resolve his dilemma. He feels torn between his loyalty to Africa and his love for England, between his opposition to colonialism and his appreciation for its culture. He feels guilty for betraying both sides or for being indifferent to their suffering. He feels unable to turn away from either side or to live with himself.
The poem ends without an answer or a resolution, leaving the speaker’s dilemma unresolved. The poem suggests that the speaker’s identity is fractured and conflicted by the legacy of colonialism and that he cannot find a way out of it. The poem also suggests that colonialism has created a situation of violence and injustice that affects everyone involved, regardless of their heritage or allegiance. The poem challenges the reader to question their own position and perspective on colonialism and its aftermath.