Title of the poem
The title "Submarine Tombs" by Jean-Baptiste Tati-Loutard likely refers to a metaphorical or symbolic representation of the underwater graves or burial sites of a particular group or race of people. The poem appears to explore themes of hidden histories, oppression, and the burden of the past. The "submarine tombs" could symbolize the submerged and forgotten aspects of this group's history and the weight of their past, which is hinted at in the lines, "Our liberty still weighs upon us" and "Across the huge blocks of the generations." The poet uses vivid imagery and metaphor to convey a sense of struggle and the need to acknowledge and remember this history.
Themes of the poem
The poem "Submarine Tombs" by Jean-Baptiste Tati-Loutard explores several themes:
1. **Hidden Histories:** The poem suggests that there are aspects of a race's history that have been concealed or forgotten, symbolized by the "submarine tombs." This theme underscores the idea that certain historical events or experiences may have been deliberately buried or overlooked.
2. **Oppression and Struggle:** The poem alludes to a sense of oppression and the burden of the past that still affects the present. The reference to "Our liberty still weighs upon us" suggests that the struggle for freedom or equality continues to be a significant issue.
3. **Memory and Remembrance:** The mention of "watching over our dead" implies a need for remembering and honoring the past and those who have gone before. The sea, seaweed, and coral represent guardians of the past, underscoring the importance of preserving and acknowledging history.
4. **Hope for Recognition and Justice:** The poem also contains a note of hope that the constancy of those who have guarded the past will one day be recognized and rewarded as it deserves. The idea of "drying up the sea" may signify the eventual resolution or acknowledgment of the historical injustices and burdens.
Overall, the poem delves into the complex interplay between history, memory, oppression, and the ongoing struggle for recognition and justice.
Tone and Mood of the poem
The tone and mood of "Submarine Tombs" by Jean-Baptiste Tati-Loutard can be described as follows:
**Tone:**
- **Mysterious:** The poem employs vivid and somewhat enigmatic imagery, such as the "sevenfold inquisitorial eye" and the "blue snake-skin," which creates a sense of mystery and intrigue.
- **Reflective:** There is a reflective tone as the poem delves into the hidden histories and the burden of the past. The speaker seems to be contemplating the significance of these submerged aspects of history.
- **Hopeful:** While the poem touches on themes of oppression and struggle, it also contains a note of hope, especially in the lines that suggest that the constancy of those who watch over the dead will be rewarded.
**Mood:**
- **Eerie:** The use of unsettling and unusual imagery, such as the "sevenfold inquisitorial eye" and the "dress of blue snake-skin," creates an eerie mood, adding to the sense of mystery and hidden depths.
- **Contemplative:** The poem encourages contemplation of the past and the consequences of hidden histories, leading to a contemplative mood as the reader ponders the implications of the verses.
- **Ambiguous:** The poem's mood is somewhat ambiguous, with a mix of mysterious, eerie, and reflective elements. It doesn't provide clear answers but rather invites readers to interpret and reflect on its themes.
In summary, the poem's tone is a combination of mystery, reflection, and hope, while the mood is characterized by its eerie and contemplative qualities, with an underlying sense of ambiguity.
Imagery of the poem
"Submarine Tombs" by Jean-Baptiste Tati-Loutard is rich in vivid and evocative imagery that contributes to the overall atmosphere of the poem. Here are some notable examples of imagery from the poem:
1. "sevenfold inquisitorial eye" - This image conveys a sense of scrutiny and observation, suggesting a watchful presence or force.
2. "A dress of blue snake-skin" - This image creates a striking visual of a garment with a texture and color reminiscent of a snake's skin. It adds an element of strangeness and otherworldliness to the poem.
3. "Horrible! All the side of a race / Lies there, spent" - The imagery of a race lying spent on the seabed emphasizes the exhaustion and perhaps the suffering of the people or their history that is submerged and concealed.
4. "Seaweed and coral brothers" - This image anthropomorphizes seaweed and coral as protectors or guardians, reinforcing the idea that the past is being watched over and preserved by nature.
5. "we will dry up the sea" - This image suggests a powerful and transformative action, as if the sea itself will be altered to bring about change or resolution.
These vivid and metaphorical images contribute to the complexity and depth of the poem, inviting readers to engage with its symbolism and themes.
Symbolism of the poem
"Submarine Tombs" by Jean-Baptiste Tati-Loutard is rich in symbolism, with various elements in the poem representing deeper concepts and themes. Here are some key symbols in the poem:
1. **Submarine Tombs:** The title itself is a symbol representing hidden or submerged histories. These tombs are not literal graves but stand for concealed aspects of a race's history and the burden of the past that remains beneath the surface.
2. **The "sevenfold inquisitorial eye":** This symbolizes a watchful and judgmental force, perhaps representing oppressive or scrutinizing authorities that have contributed to the hidden history.
3. **The "dress of blue snake-skin":** This vivid image can symbolize the alluring yet treacherous nature of hidden histories. The snake-skin suggests a seductive exterior concealing something deeper and potentially dangerous.
4. **Seaweed and coral brothers:** These natural elements symbolize the guardians or protectors of the submerged history. They represent the persistence of memory and the idea that nature itself watches over and preserves the past.
5. **Drying up the sea:** This symbolizes a transformative and redemptive act, suggesting that one day the past will be revealed, acknowledged, and perhaps rectified.
Overall, the poem's symbols convey the themes of hidden history, oppression, memory, and the potential for recognition and justice. They invite readers to interpret and engage with the poem's deeper meanings and messages.
Metaphors and similes
In "Submarine Tombs" by Jean-Baptiste Tati-Loutard, there are several metaphors and similes that contribute to the imagery and symbolism of the poem. Here are a few examples:
Metaphors:
1. "sevenfold inquisitorial eye" - This metaphor compares the watchful force to an eye with sevenfold scrutiny, emphasizing the sense of observation and judgment.
2. "A dress of blue snake-skin" - The comparison of hidden histories to a dress made of snake-skin serves as a metaphor for the concealed and potentially treacherous nature of these histories.
3. "Our liberty still weighs upon us" - Liberty is metaphorically portrayed as a burden, emphasizing the ongoing struggle and the weight of history.
Similes:
1. "More obscene than the urban wind" - This simile compares the scrutiny or observation to something more obscene than the urban wind, suggesting a sense of pervasiveness and intrusiveness.
2. "Seaweed and coral brothers" - This simile likens seaweed and coral to brothers, emphasizing their role as protectors and guardians, as if they share a familial bond with the people they represent.
3. "And for their funerals we will dry up the sea" - This simile suggests that the act of drying up the sea is like a funeral for the past, symbolizing a significant transformation and recognition.
These metaphors and similes add depth and vividness to the poem's language, helping to convey its complex themes and imagery.
Language and diction
The language and diction in "Submarine Tombs" by Jean-Baptiste Tati-Loutard are notable for their vivid and evocative qualities. The poet employs a rich and metaphorical style to convey the themes and imagery of the poem. Here are some characteristics of the poem's language and diction:
1. **Metaphorical Language:** The poem is replete with metaphors and symbolic language. Phrases like "sevenfold inquisitorial eye," "blue snake-skin," and "seaweed and coral brothers" are examples of metaphors that create vivid and imaginative imagery.
2. **Sensory Imagery:** The poem appeals to the senses with descriptions like "A dress of blue snake-skin," which evoke visual and tactile sensations, contributing to the overall atmosphere of the poem.
3. **Elevated Vocabulary:** The poet uses elevated and somewhat archaic vocabulary at times, such as "constancy," "inquisitorial," and "funerals." This adds a sense of formality to the poem.
4. **Symbolic Diction:** The diction in the poem is heavily symbolic, with many words and phrases representing deeper ideas and themes, such as "submarine tombs" symbolizing hidden histories and "drying up the sea" symbolizing transformative change.
5. **Eerie and Enigmatic Phrases:** The use of phrases like "horrible," "obscene," and "raised up through its ripping folds" creates an eerie and enigmatic tone, contributing to the sense of mystery in the poem.
6. **Reflective Tone:** The poet's choice of words and phrases reflects a contemplative and introspective tone, inviting readers to ponder the themes and hidden histories explored in the poem.
Overall, the language and diction in "Submarine Tombs" are integral to its exploration of hidden histories, oppression, and the persistence of memory. The poet's use of metaphor and symbolic language enhances the poem's depth and complexity.
Structure of the poem
The structure of "Submarine Tombs" by Jean-Baptiste Tati-Loutard is characterized by its use of stanzas and free verse. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with varying line lengths, which contributes to the poem's overall structure and rhythm. Here's a breakdown of the poem's structure:
1. **First Stanza:** The first stanza consists of three lines. This stanza introduces the imagery of the "sevenfold inquisitorial eye" and the "dress of blue snake-skin." It sets the tone and mysterious atmosphere of the poem.
2. **Second Stanza:** The second stanza is the longest and most descriptive, containing six lines. It includes the image of the submerged race and mentions the weight of history and the role of "seaweed and coral brothers." This stanza deepens the themes of hidden histories and guardianship.
3. **Third Stanza:** The third stanza comprises four lines and contains the lines "Our liberty still weighs upon us" and "And for their funerals we will dry up the sea." These lines express the idea of ongoing struggle and hope for recognition. The stanza contributes to the resolution and transformation in the poem.
The poem does not follow a strict rhyme scheme or meter. Instead, it relies on the use of metaphor, vivid imagery, and enigmatic language to convey its themes and messages. The structure of the poem allows for a contemplative and reflective reading experience, as it invites readers to explore the hidden depths of history and memory.
Sound and rhythm
"Submarine Tombs" by Jean-Baptiste Tati-Loutard is a poem that does not adhere to a regular rhyme scheme or meter, making it an example of free verse. This absence of a structured rhyme and meter gives the poem a more conversational and open quality. However, the poem does exhibit some characteristics in terms of sound and rhythm:
1. **Alliteration:** The poem occasionally uses alliteration, such as in the line "More obscene than the urban wind," where the repetition of the "m" sound adds a musical quality.
2. **Assonance:** Assonance, or the repetition of vowel sounds within words, can be found in phrases like "constancy as it deserves," which creates a sense of harmony in the language.
3. **Repetition:** The repetition of the "s" sound in "seaweed and coral brothers" and the "d" sound in "dry up the sea" contributes to the poem's auditory texture.
4. **Varied Line Lengths:** The poem's lines have varying lengths, which create a natural rhythm when read aloud. Some lines are short and succinct, while others are longer and more descriptive.
5. **Enigmatic Language:** The poem's enigmatic language and imagery contribute to its overall tone and rhythm. The use of phrases like "sevenfold inquisitorial eye" and "A dress of blue snake-skin" creates a sense of intrigue and rhythm that is unique to the poem.
The poem's rhythm is less about strict metrical patterns and more about the musicality and flow of its language. The irregularities and unique phrasings enhance the poem's mysterious and reflective tone. When read aloud, the poem's rhythm can engage the reader in the contemplation of its themes and symbolism.
Syntax
The syntax in "Submarine Tombs" by Jean-Baptiste Tati-Loutard is notable for its complex and often enigmatic structure. The poet uses a distinctive syntax to convey the poem's themes and create an atmosphere of mystery. Here are some features of the poem's syntax:
1. **Inversion:** The poem frequently uses inversion, which is the reversal of the typical word order in a sentence. For example, "With my sevenfold inquisitorial eye" and "Horrible! All the side of a race" are instances of inversion. This technique adds an air of formality and mystery to the language.
2. **Ellipsis:** The poem employs ellipsis, where words or parts of sentences are omitted, leaving gaps for the reader to fill in and interpret. For example, "More obscene than the urban wind" doesn't provide a direct comparison but leaves the reader to deduce the implied meaning.
3. **Enjambment:** The poem uses enjambment, which is the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause. This technique contributes to the poem's fluid and contemplative quality.
4. **Complex Phrasing:** The poet uses complex and multi-clause sentences that require careful reading to fully grasp the meaning. For example, "I have raised up through its ripping folds / A dress of blue snake-skin" is a sentence with multiple clauses and phrasings that add to the complexity of the poem.
5. **Fragmentation:** The poem sometimes presents fragmented or disjointed phrases, contributing to its mysterious and enigmatic quality. For instance, "And for their funerals we will dry up the sea" is a fragment that conveys a powerful and transformative idea.
The unique syntax of the poem serves to engage the reader's intellect and imagination, inviting interpretation and reflection. It also contributes to the poem's overall tone of mystery and reflection, making it a rich and thought-provoking piece of literature.
Context
"Submarine Tombs" is a poem by Jean-Baptiste Tati-Loutard, a Congolese poet. The poem is written in French, and its themes and imagery are often associated with African and post-colonial literature. The poem is part of a broader literary movement that explores the legacy of colonialism and the complexities of identity and history in African nations.
The specific historical and cultural context of the poem can be related to the following:
1. **Colonialism and Oppression:** The poem can be interpreted as a reflection on the legacy of colonialism in Africa. The "submarine tombs" may symbolize the hidden histories and injustices caused by colonial powers, and the "seaweed and coral brothers" could represent the enduring struggle against oppression.
2. **African Identity:** The poem may explore questions of identity and cultural heritage. The submerged history could symbolize a loss of cultural identity or a desire to reclaim and recognize African heritage.
3. **Mystery and Hidden Histories:** The enigmatic language and imagery in the poem can be seen as a response to the mystery and obscurity of certain aspects of African history, which might have been suppressed or ignored during colonial rule.
4. **Hope and Transformation:** The poem's concluding lines, "And for their funerals we will dry up the sea," may represent a hope for change and the eventual acknowledgment of the past and its injustices.
Jean-Baptiste Tati-Loutard's poetry often engages with political and cultural themes, and "Submarine Tombs" is an example of his work's exploration of these complex subjects within the context of African and post-colonial literature. It encourages readers to reflect on the historical and cultural context of Africa and the impact of colonialism on its people and history.
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