CS MOD 2 2014 MODEL ESSAY V.

RAMOUTAR-SINGH

Deborah Jean Baptiste-Samuel postulates in her poem, “Vessels” that the average human likened

to a vessel/container, takes various forms which is reflective of their level of development and

achievement. It goes further to capture the essence of men-women relationships by example of a

man who does not live up to society’s ideals of ‘a man’. In order to achieve holistic understanding

of the extract, a discussion of what the poet achieves by using English and Creole, the implications

for the wider acceptability of Creole and ways in which a video presentation would enhance the

poem’s message is pertinent.

Dialectal varieties namely, Standard English and Creole are used to illustrate the views of the

writer. By using both dialects, the writer hopes to achieve a range of things. To begin, the use of

both dialects help to give a realistic portrayal of language use as they are the main varieties used

in Caribbean society. Credibility to Standard English as a language that is worthy of

communicating has already been established in society, but this is not the same for English Creole.

Therefore, its use within this form shows that it is a language capable of being used in a literary

context which lends credibility to its use. On that note, by using both languages, it allow readers

to understand that neither English or Creole is better suited to express the main views of the writer;

they are both equal languages. This will help to eradicate the stigma of English Creole as inferior.

Lastly, readers are better able to identify with and relate to the messages expressed in the poem

given their familiarity with both languages. In this way, it helps to establish a connection with all

readers based on their Caribbean heritage or culture.

Undeniably, several implications for greater acceptance of Creole is apparent given the poet’s use

of this variety. Firstly, by using it within this context will help to encourage and celebrate its use

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even more in West Indian literature. By extension, this will also help to promote standardization

and codification of the language which will in turn facilitate its use within educational spheres. It

can be used within education as a literary tool in a variety of curricula. Furthermore, its use will

help to facilitate the movement towards its recognition as an official language across all Caribbean

territories, thereby giving it equal status alongside Standard English. Overall, a direct result is that

it will engender support for and will instill a sense of pride in its use given the formation of one’s

identity as a Caribbean native.

Finally, the use of a video presentation will help to enhance the main message of the poem. To

start, the use of the artifact of different shapes of vessels or containers can be seen by the audience.

The various shapes and types of the containers as mentioned in the poem are symbolic of man’s

refusal to develop their hidden abilities. The use of a ‘flask’ as mentioned in line 32, represents

the male’s powerlessness within a relationship and the “large storage jar” in line 30 is used to

display his potential for leading a fulfilling life. Similarly, Kinesics can also be seen in the

illustration of the characters’ body language. The man’s cowardice can be seen in his cowering

under the bed as he tries to evade his wife’s strokes. This reiterates that he does not live up to the

definition of being a man. Also, the woman’s infuriated facial expressions can be captured in the

use of red eyes, flared nostrils, raised eyebrows, red face etc to show her dominance in the

relationship and anger in the situation. Moreover, proxemics can be seen where the man tries to

maintain a safe distance from the force of the woman’s broom by hiding under the bed. This again

echoes the contradiction and reversed roles of the man and woman within the relationship. Lastly,

the paralinguistic features of both characters can be heard in the raised tone, pitch, volume and fast

rate of speech delivery. This shows the woman’s fury and dominance and emphasized the man’s

emasculation in the situation.

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In summation, the main message of the poem used the metaphor of vessels to touch on issues of

man’s potential and abilities along with gender roles in relationships. The poem was effectively

analyzed based on the use of both English Creole and Standard English, the implications of Creole

use and the ability of a video in enhancing the poem’s main point.

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