Analysis of Chinua Achebe's Poem

May 5, 2025

Lecture Notes: Analysis of "Vultures" by Chinua Achebe

Introduction

  • Focus: Analysis of the poem "Vultures" by Chinua Achebe.
  • Main topics:
    • Description of vultures.
    • The Kommandant of Belsen.
    • Themes of coexistence of evil and love.
    • Historical context and author background.

Poem Overview

  • Title: Literal and metaphorical reference to vultures and people who commit evil deeds.
  • Theme: Coexistence of gross evil and tender love; examination of human behavior.

Author Background

  • Chinua Achebe: Born in Nigeria, 1930, passed away in 2013.
  • Renowned African writer known for novels, essays, poetry.
  • Focus on African mysticism and modern Western culture.

Detailed Analysis

Section 1: Description of Vultures

  • Begins with a repulsive image of vultures, yet shows affection.
  • Imagery and Language:
    • Use of alliteration: "drizzle of one despondent dawn."
    • Enjambment: Creates a relentless, beat tone.
    • Vultures described with grim, death-associated imagery (e.g., harbingers).
    • Birds depicted as mechanical with "cold telescopic eyes."
  • Contrast: Love in grim environments (charnel-house).
  • Personification: Love cannot bear to look at atrocities.

Section 2: The Kommandant of Belsen

  • Description: Not flattering; only physical feature is hairy nostrils.
  • Contradictory Nature:
    • Kind actions towards family (e.g., bringing home chocolate).
    • Good side represented through interactions with child.
  • Imagery: Smell of human roast lingering on the Kommandant.
  • Contrast: Love and evil coexist in Kommandant's actions.

Conclusion of Poem

  • Imagery:
    • "Tiny glowworm" representing humanity encapsulated in cruelty.
    • The Kommandant's view of love as a curse.
  • Tone: Ends on a bleak note.

Form and Structure

  • Structure: Four stanzas in free verse, no rhyme.
  • Enjambment: Fast-paced, jarring rhythm reflects poem's dark tone.
  • Stanza Lengths:
    • First stanza: 23 short lines.
    • Others: 8, 11, 11 lines.
  • Line Indentation: Indicates flow of ideas, evidence building.

Tone Analysis

  • Section 1: Disgust and revulsion.
  • Section 2: Puzzlement at evil coexisting with love.
  • Section 3: Horror of contrasting evil with fatherly love.
  • Section 4: Resigned, pessimistic outlook on human nature.

Conclusion

  • Encouragement to subscribe for future lessons.

Study Tips: Focus on the themes of duality in human nature and contrast between love and evil. Pay attention to the imagery and language techniques used by Achebe to convey tone and character dynamics.

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