ELSEWHERE Overture A reading of Derek Walcott's"Elsewhere" Overture The literal meaning Literal Meaning In Derek Walcott’s “Elsewhere”, the persona who resides in an un-colonized “free” part of the world, temporary as it may be, contemplates and reflects upon the reality of those who lack such freedom. In this reflection, he depicts the horrors of massacres, war, and censorship. How is this represented ? Why does it make you feel this way? How does the poem make you feel? Poetic Devices Poetic Devices "Poetry is about the grief. Politics is about the grievance." - Robert Frost Type of poem Type of Poem Ode → the type of poem due to the fact that "Elsewhere is dedicated to a person, in this poem, Stephen Spender. Type of Narration: Lines 1-20 are written in the third person. The persona states generalities (this happens here, this happens there…) highlighting that such problems are not of the immediate environment which the persona lives in, but is rather urged to assist by contextualizing the issues that occur "Elsewhere". Lines 21 onward are written in first person. The persona becomes much more reflective, this notion is seen in the change in tone and the end of key rhyming schemes and repetition. Symbolism The white horse White horse → blocked hope (encircled by a fence topped with barbed wire) (Colonialists’) White horses represent wisdom and power… White hope, the idea that colonizing these “savages” would bring them into a more prosperous way of living (supported by “rifle butt/ breaks a skull into the idea of a heaven” (23-24) The Pen Symbolic in representing ones ability to write. Devices Devices Rhyme: Stanzas 3 and 4: rhymed quadruplet Stanzas 1,3 and 5: alternate rhyme Stanzas 6-10: alternate rhyme Alliteration: “Silent Scream” (39) “Winter branches, wonders read as signs” (40) Anaphora → Repetition of “SOMEWHERE” Cacophony “Career of conscience” (38) Thesis and Analysis Thesis and analysis In the poem “Elsewhere”, Derek Walcott maintains that it is the moral obligation of those who are able to exercise the luxury of writing, to do so in order to protest, critique and educate on behalf of those who are unable to do so. Supporting Devices Derek Walcott employs a plethora of poetic devices to construct meaning. Stanzas 1 and 2 Stanzas 1-2 The horse, a symbol of freedom without restraint, is confined by the perimeter of the barbed wire, a pre-existing barrier that codifies the extents to which the horse can move freely. More universally, the horse’s situation can metaphorically substitute the scenario of those incapable of freely expressing themselves. The personification of “Shawled sea’s / weeping” (5-6) shows the extents to which the subjugation has evoked emotional outbursts about not only to what those who weep have lost but also to who they have lost as a result of their marginalization. Stanzas 3-5 Stanzas 3-5 The common relation between Stanzas 3 & 4, even more so emphasized by their unique quadruplet rhyme scheme, show the interaction the marginalized and those who marginalize them. With the culmination of fear expressed throughout the first 3 stanzas, the successive happenings create a void of fear whereby the means to which it is escapable, especially under the continually oppressive serves to be more difficult on both physical and mental realms to overcome the oppressive conditions of the society. The tearing of the page on lines 17 and 18 is symbolic of censorship. This notion is furthered by the shift from nature (once pristine foliage) to camouflage. Stanzas 6-10 Stanza's 6-10 (Somewhere) “A summary rifle butt/ breaks a skull into the idea of a heaven” (23-4) “Blue air/ is paper-frail” (25-6) “Whatever we write/ will be stamped twice, a blue letter” (26-7) Stanza 8 explicitly connects the very structure of the poem to a prison “Through these black bars hollowed faces stare. Fingers grip the cross bars of these stanzas”. This interconnection may, in essence, symbolize the internal conflict the persona endures due to the posed ethical question. Moral Obligation It is paramount, prior to any effort in critically understanding any work such as a poem, that key distinctions are made. The moral obligation as stated previously is framed as an underlying ethical question posed in the latter half of the poem. Specifically: what can be, an adequate response to the plight of those who are suffering while we are not? Important notions: 1. The Comrade 2. The poem as a prison 3. A "Darker Crime" Closing Closing Recap In the poem “Elsewhere”, Derek Walcott maintains that it is the moral obligation of those who are able to exercise the luxury of writing, to do so in order to protest, critique and educate on behalf of those who are unable to do so. What is a Poet? The Poets Duty What is a poet? An unhappy person who conceals profound anguish in his heart but whose lips are so formed that as sighs and cries pass over them they sound like beautiful music. - Soren Kierkegaard Het Einde Final Remarks
