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Post Colonialism in Derek Walcott`s ‘A far Cry from Africa` and Pablo
Neruda`s “Tonight I Can Write”: A Comparative study

Abstract: This dissertation examines the postcolonial themes found in two important
poems, Derek Walcott’s “A Far Cry from Africa” and Pablo Neruda’s “Tonight I Can Write.”
Through the lens of postcolonialism, this research analyzes how colonialism and imperialism
affect the personal relationships and cultural identity of these poets. This research begins with
a theoretical framework that explains key postcolonial concepts, such as colonial violence,
cultural clash, and identity formation. Next, using in-depth textual analysis, this study
examines how Walcott and Neruda use poetic techniques to convey their postcolonial themes.
The analysis shows that both poets use vivid imagery and metaphor to convey the sense of
these cultural clash, loss and damage caused by colonialism. They also argue for the
importance of agency and self-expression against colonial oppression. This research
ultimately seeks to understand the imperial powers suppress the natives and how postcolonial
theory can help understand the lasting effects of colonialism on personal relationships and
cultural identity.
Keywords : post-colonialism, imperial, cultural, suppress, identity
Introduction : Introduction: Postcolonialism emerged in the 20th century as a field of
study that focuses on the impact of colonialism on formerly settled countries and peoples. It
provides a
lens to understand the ongoing struggles and complexities faced by those affected by
colonialism. Postcolonial literature reflects the relationship between colonialism, imperialism,
nationalism, and globalization, offering insight into the working of the postcolonial world.
This dissertation examines the postcolonial themes in Derek Walcott’s “A Far Cry from
Africa” and Pablo Neruda’s “Tonight I Can Write,” exploring how these poems reflect the
artistic and political pressures of their respective contexts. This dissertation aims to examine
the postcolonial themes and strategies employed in two influential poems from the 20th
century: Derek Walcott’s “A Far Cry from Africa” and Pablo Neruda’s “Tonight I Can
Write.” These poems, written by authors from different regions of the world, bur revolves
around the effects on colonized people. How imperial forces have intruded in their culture,
heritage and identity.

Derek Walcott’s “A Far Cry from Africa” is about the poet’s complex relationship
with his African heritage and Caribbean identity. Born in Saint Lucia, Walcott struggled with
the complexity of postcolonial identity throughout his work. The poem explores the violence
and trauma of the Mau Mau rebellion in Kenya, highlighting its impact on the poet’s sense of
self. Walcott employs vivid imagery and stark contrasts to convey the brutality and
dehumanizing effects of colonialism. He questions whether redemption or reconciliation is
possible in the face of such violence.

Derek Walcott’s poem “A Far Cry from Africa” was published in 1962 and explores
the poet’s personal struggle with his dual identity as an African and a Caribbean. Walcott was
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born in Saint Lucia, a former British colony, and the poem reflects his complex relationship
with his African heritage and the impact of colonialism on his identity. The poem grapples
with the violence and conflicts of decolonization, particularly the Mau Mau uprising in
Kenya, and raises questions about the role of the poet in a postcolonial world.

Pablo Neruda’s “Tonight I Can Write”(also known as “Tonight I Can Write the
Saddest Lines”) was published in 1924 is a haunting reflection on lost love and the power of
memory. The poem explores themes of loss, separation, and memory, central to postcolonial
literature. Neruda, a prominent poet and political activist from Chile, captures the emotional
pain and loneliness experienced after the end of a relationship. The poem reflects the
disintegration of personal connections and family structures caused by colonialism and
imperialism. Neruda’s language and imagery evoke longing and nostalgia, emphasizing the
enduring heritage of colonialism on the psyche of the settled.

Pablo Neruda’s poem “Tonight I Can Write” is considered one of Neruda’s most
renowned works. While Neruda was Chilean and not directly addressing issues of
colonialism, his poem explores themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. However,
within the context of postcolonial literature, the poem can be interpreted as an expression of
longing and melancholy associated with the loss of cultural and personal identity resulting
from colonialism and imperialism.
Postcolonialism: Postcolonialism refers to the results of Western colonialism and the
efforts to change the history of oppressed people under various forms of imperialism. It
addresses the possibility of moving beyond colonialism but also recognizes that new forms of
domination can emerge, such as global conglomerates. It’s important to note that
postcolonialism doesn’t claim that the world today is completely free of colonialism.

Postcolonial scholars and researchers have been interested in exploring the deep-
rooted impacts of colonialism from various perspectives, including philosophy, art, literature,
and literal experiences. They aim to go beyond Europe and critically examine the complex
relationship between the Enlightenment era and the age of conglomerates.

Postcolonialism focuses on a range of approaches, and there isn’t always a harmony

among theorists. At a basic level, it seeks to understand social life by questioning the
reliability of those in power and giving voice to the perspectives of the colonized. On a
deeper level, it analyzes the social and political power dynamics that sustain colonialism and
neocolonialism, including the narratives embedded in colonial and postcolonial societies.
This approach intersects with disciplines like history, anthropology, political science,
sociology, and cultural studies. Sub-fields of postcolonial studies also explore the impact of
social hierarchy on feminism, anarchism, literature, and religious practices.

In simpler terms, postcolonialism examines the lasting effects of colonialism and aims
to understand the power dynamics that support it. It challenges dominant narratives and gives
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voice to marginalized perspectives, drawing from various academic disciplines to shed light
on these issues.
Postcolonialism is a fancy term for a movement that emerged in the 20th century in
response to the effects of colonialism. It’s all about trying to understand how colonialism
shaped societies and continues to influence power dynamics today. The folks in this
movement focus on power, identity, and how people are represented.

The main Idea behind postcolonialism is that our social experiences still have a big
impact on our world, especially politically and artistically. Those in the movement challenge
the assumptions and values of colonialism, like the belief that Western civilization is better
than others and that white Europeans are superior. They argue that colonialism wasn’t just a
one-time thing but an ongoing process that still affects us today.

One thing that postcolonialism is really concerned about is how settled people are
portrayed in Western literature, media, and art. They think that these representations often
stick to outdated ideas and support the power imbalances of colonialism. So, they want to
come up with better ways of representing settled peoples that challenge these ideas and give a
more accurate and nuanced picture of who they are.
Another important aspect of postcolonialism is recognizing the agency of settled
peoples.
They don’t see them as helpless victims of colonialism, but rather as people who resist and
adapt to social oppression. This resistance can take many forms, like political activism,
artistic expression, and creating new social and economic structures.
So, postcolonialism is a movement that tries to understand how colonialism still
affects us today. It questions old ways of thinking, looks at how people are represented, and
highlights the power and adaptability of settled peoples. If someone is interested in
understanding the complicated social, artistic, and political dynamics of our globalized world,
postcolonialism is an important field to explore.

Postcolonial thoughts in Derek Walcott’s “A Far Cry from Africa” : Derek

Walcott’s“ A Far Cry from Africa ” is a important text that explores themes of identity, race,
and Colonialism. In this discussion, I’ll examine how Walcott uses his poemal form to
express the postcolonial studies that are present in “ A Far Cry from Africa”.

Born on the island of Saint Lucia, a former British colony in the West Indies, poet and
playwright Derek Walcott was trained as a painter but turned to writing as a young man. He
published his first poem in the local newspaper at the age of 14. Five years later, he borrowed
$200 to print his first collection, 25 Poems, which he distributed on street corners. Walcott’s
major breakthrough came with the collection In a Green Night: Poems 1948-1960 (1962), a
book which celebrates the Caribbean and its history as well as investigates the scars of
colonialism. Throughout a long and distinguished career, Walcott returned to those same
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themes of language, power, and place. His later collections include Tiepolo’s Hound (2000),
The
Prodigal (2004), Selected Poems (2007), White Egrets (2010), and Morning, Paramin (2016).
In 1992, Walcott won the Nobel Prize in Literature. The Nobel committee described his work
as “a poetic oeuvre of great luminosity, sustained by a historical vision, the outcome of a
multicultural commitment.”
Postcolonialism is an important field of study that surfaced in the 20th century, and it
focuses on the political, artistic, and social goods of colonialism on formerly settled countries
and peoples. In the postcolonial world, individualities and societies have to navigate the
heritage of colonialism, which can be seen in the continuing in equalities, artistic clashes, and
conflicts that persist. Postcolonialism provides a lens through which we can understand the
literal and ongoing struggles of those who have been affected by colonialism

In “A Far Cry from Africa” Caribbean peoples. The poem , ” Walcott explores the
postcolonial gests of African and was written in the 1960s, at a time when numerous African
nations were gaining independence from their European pioneers. Walcott himself was a
native of Saint Lucia, a small islet nation in the Caribbean that had also been settled by
European powers. Therefore, Walcott’s particular gests and the larger literal environment in
which the poem The was written shape its content and themes.
Poem opens with a important image of a wounded antelope, which serves as a conceit
for the struggles of African peoples against social oppression. The antelope is wounded and
bleeding, yet it continues to run, just as African peoples continue to repel colonialism. The
poem shifts to a more particular reflection on Walcott’s own identity as race Caribbean
minstrel. He acknowledges the complications of his identity and the fact that he’s both
African and European in heritage. This recognition of the mixed nature of his identity is a
common theme in post colonial literature, as it reflects the mongrel of societies that surfaced
from the social experience.
Walcott also turns to the larger literal environment of colonialism, specifically the
violence and brutality that were essential in the social design. He describes the horrors of
colonialism, including the forced labor and exploitation of African peoples. He also
acknowledges the conspiracy of Africans who banded with the social powers, which is
another common theme in postcolonial literature. The poem ends on a note of nebulosity,
with Walcott questioning whether there can be any redemption or conciliation in the fate of
similar violence and oppression.
Throughout the poem , Walcott uses a variety of postcolonial themes and idea poem
al ways to convey the s. He employs pictorial imagery, conceit, and symbolism to capture the
complex gests of colonialism and its fate. He also uses language in innovative. Ways,
incorporating both English and African words and expressions to reflect the coldblooded
nature of postcolonial societies.

The poem opens with a pictorial description of the violence and bloodshed that
characterized the conflict, and the minstrel’s own passions of ambivalence and guilt
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“A wind is ruffling the tawny pelt

Of Africa, Kikuyu, quick as flies,
Batten upon the bloodstreams of the veldt.
Corpses are scattered through a paradise.
Only the worm, colonel of carrion, cries:

‘Waste no compassion on these separate dead!’

Statistics justify and scholars seize

The salients of colonial policy.”

Walcott’s use of pictorial imagery and stark contrasts conveys the brutality and
senseless violence of the conflict, while his reference to “ the worm, colonel of carnage ”
emphasizes the dehumanizing goods of colonialism and the moping heritage of violence.

Postcolonialism in Pablo Neruda’s “ Tonight I can Write ” – “Tonight I can Write”

is a poem about remembering a lost love and the pain it brings. The speaker talks about a past
relationship that has ended, and how they feel lonely now. They contrast the intense love they
once felt with the sadness they currently experience. In the past, the pain was so intense that it
prevented them from writing about it. But now, they are able to write about the relationship
and find some comfort in expressing their feelings through poetry. The speaker believes that
their words can bring solace, like dew falling on the grass. To put it simply, the poem
explores the bittersweet memories of lost love and the healing power of writing about it.

At its core, “Tonight I can Write” is a poem about lost love. The speaker remembers
the strong feelings and closeness they once shared with their former partner, as well as the
pain of their breakup. The poem’s focus on love and loss is important in a postcolonial
context because colonialism and imperialism often disrupted personal relationships and
family structures. Through violence, forced labor, and cultural assimilation, colonial powers
shattered families and communities, causing long-lasting trauma and the erasure of cultural
traditions. Pablo Neruda’s poem “Tonight I can Write” is a powerful postcolonial piece that
addresses the deep emotional and psychological wounds inflicted on colonized peoples.
Written in the mid-twentieth century, a time when many countries were still grappling with
the aftermath of colonialism, the poem explores the themes of love and loss, memory and
forgetting, and the lasting impact of colonialism on the psyche of colonized communities.

In this poem, Neruda uses strong words and vivid descriptions to show how
colonialism affects personal relationships and the wider social, economic, and political
systems of the world. It’s a powerful reminder of how colonialism has impacted people’s
lives and a call to action for those who want to dismantle its legacy. The poem starts by
talking about lost love and how memories can keep the love alive, despite it being gone. It
shows the resilience and creativity of those who have suffered under colonialism and urges
everyone to take action against its lasting effects.
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“Tonight I can write the saddest lines.

Write, for example, ‘The night is starry

And the stars are blue and shiver in the distance.’

The night wind revolves in the sky and sings.”

In “Tonight I can Write,” Neruda uses vivid images and comparisons to show how
much he longs for the past and feels sad about being apart from his loved one. As the poem
goes on, Neruda also talks about memories and who we are as people. He suggests that even
though we go through tough times and lose things, our memories can help us feel strong and
connected to our past. Basically, the poem talks about missing someone and how memories
can help us feel better and stay connected to our past.

Differences and Indeferences between Pablo Neruda’s “ Tonight I can Write and
Derek
Walcott’s “A Far Cry from Africa” – Though both “Tonight I can Write” and “ A Far Cry
from Africa” belongs to the same genre, postcolonialism, In Neruda’s “Tonight I can Write,”
he talks about a breakup and feeling really sad about it. He remembers the love he had before
and how lonely he feels now. The poem shows how memories can give some comfort and
make To feel connected to the past.

In Walcott’s “A Far Cry from Africa”, he explores the speaker’s struggle with their
African roots and the influence of colonialism. It’s about feeling torn between wanting
independence for Africa and dealing with the effects of the colonial past. The poem talks
about the violence and conflicts in history and how it affects the speaker’s sense of identity.

So basically, Neruda’s poem is about lost love and memories, while Walcott’s
poem is about identity and the impact of colonialism. They both deal with personal
emotions, but in different ways.
Conclusion : In this discussion I’ve tried to look at two famous poems from the 20th
century: Derek Walcott’s “A Far Cry from Africa” and Pablo Neruda’s “Tonight I Can
Write.” These poems touch on postcolonial themes and strategies, which basically question
the way powerful countries control and influence the world. Postcolonialism challenges the
ideas and assumptions we have about how countries behave and what drives them. It suggests
that there could be a future where colonialism is no longer dominant, but it also warns that
new forms of control or submission can emerge in its place, like big global companies. So,
basically, these poems make us think about the impact of colonialism and how power works
in the world.
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Work Cited : Walcott, Derek. “A Far Cry from Africa.” Academy of American
Poets, 75 Maiden Lane, Suite 901, New York, NY 10038 accessed 12th April 2023

Neruda, Pablo. “Tonight I Can Write the Saddest Lines.” World Literature II, Indian
River State College Libraries, 2018

References :
Walcott, Derek. “A Far Cry from Africa.” Poetry Foundation,
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/42915/a-far-cry-from-africa.

Neruda, Pablo. “Tonight I Can Write.” Poets.org,

www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/tonight-i-Can-write.

Ashcroft, Bill, Gareth Griffiths, and Helen Tiffin. The Post-Colonial Studies
Reader. Routledge, 2006. www.routledge.com/The-Post-Colonial-Studies-
Reader/Ashcroft-Griffiths-Tiffin/p/book/9780415345650.

Bhabha, Homi K. The Location of Culture. Routledge, 1994.

www.routledge.com/TheLocation-of-Culture/Bhabha/p/book/9780415016353

Fanon, Frantz. The Wretched of the Earth. Grove Press, 2004.

www.groveatlantic.com/book/the-wretched-of-the-earth.

Said, Edward W. Orientalism. Vintage Books, 1979.

www.randomhouse.com/books/10626/orientalism-by-edward-w-said.

Williams, Patrick, and Laura Chrisman (eds.). Colonial Discourse and Post-
Colonial Theory: A Reader. Columbia University Press, 1994.
www.cup.columbia.edu/book/colonialdiscourse-and-post-colonial-theory/
9780231076519.

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