West indian literature - Essay Example

Language in the poem Survivor Inserts His/Her Inserts Grade Inserts inserts Language in the poem SurvivorSurvivor assumes a notable position is the poetry of Lorna Goodison as it involves a very good language and the presentation of its theme. Critical analysis of the poems that belong to particular age and it is self explanatory of its language and other prominent features. Regarding the poems of Lorna Goodison, the effect of western culture has had caused for increasing the wonder of the poet when she observed it.

As a poet of Caribbean culture, Lorna Goodison uses a language, which contains vivid prose, Creole speech, and she weaves her ideas blend with memory and mythology. Poet uses a language blends with her native language with enormous simplicity and the Caribbean have the view that their language is something differ from other language. The language of the poem reveals the suppression and sufferings of Caribbean people with all its emotional conflicts. In his article, entitled ‘Selected poems by Lorna Goddison’ Almendarez shares similar views about the Goddison’s language.

He rightly puts it as: “Many of Goodison’s poems express a deep connection to Jamaica with all of its open wounds and beauty scars.”(Almendarez, Ayme, 2006). Her images are related with harsh realities of colonization and the suffering women folk in Caribbean countries. In her poem, Survivor Goddison uses free verse with an extensive use of words. The repetition of consonant sounds constitutes rhythmic quality of the poem. When analyzing the poem one can identify themes like the inner feelings and identity crisis, yearnings of the heart, and the clamors and temptations of the rough world are explored the following lines.

The poet sings: “They took most living things/ even some rare species/ with extended wings” (Goodison, 4-6). The excellent use of figure of speech is another significant feature of Goddison’s poetry. The use of metaphor is apt to the situation when the poet remarks about her ancestors who sacrificed themselves for attaining their birth rights. Poet says, “So, here the wind plays/mourning notes/ on bones that once were ribs.”(Goodison, 11-13). The movement of the wind has been attributed as playing ‘mourning notes’ with a musical touch.

There is a note of simile when she writes, ‘barrel of rain.’ The poem Survivor filled with rich images and word pictures. The survival of Caribbean woman can see such as ‘bear feet and bound hair’. The words of Chamberlin make it clear when he rightly says, “This freedom, along with the love and language of their islands, has been nourished by West Indian poets” (Chamberlin, 1993). Reading of the poem, ‘Survivor’ brings the same feeling of love and language to one’s mind. From the world of defense and suppression, the poet makes a journey to the world of reconciliation and self-realization.

One can find numerous examples for Goodison’s language usage when one goes through, ‘…how creative/God is with the ribs’ (Goodison, 16-17), ‘born flute music’ (Goodison, 28), and so on. The words and images pave the way for the reader to reach an assumption that Goddison’s language reveals the very culture of their nation. The phrase ‘bone flute music’ is an excellent example of symbolism and imagery. Poet consumes language as a best way for conveying her sincere defenses and distress.

Though one cannot find a specific rhyme scheme for the poem, it illustrates many situations of clarity and gives a chance for the reader to get pleasure from Goddison’s amazing use of language, word pictures, and rhythm to define casual moments and reflections in an innovative way is purely Goddison’s mannerisms. Works Cited:Almendarez, Ayme. "Selected Poems by Lorna Goodison". Regents of the University of25 June 2009 http://voices.cla.umn.edu/vg/Critique/reviewpoetry/selected_poems_by_lorna_goodison.

htmlChamberlin, J. Edward. Come Back to Me My Language. University of Illinois Press:A1Books.co.in, 1993.