Deserted Markets by Wole Soyinka: The Poem and Complete Analysis

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 Introduction

"Deserted Markets" by Wole Soyinka is a poignant exploration of solitude and longing set against the backdrop of a Parisian night. Through vivid imagery and emotive language, Soyinka evokes the desolation of abandoned marketplaces, where rainwater forms rivulets amidst scattered seeds, echoing the emptiness within. The speaker's voice emerges, trembling with vulnerability, as they navigate the lonely streets, seeking solace amid the darkness and the weight of past sorrows. Soyinka masterfully captures the essence of yearning and resilience, crafting a lyrical testament to the human spirit's capacity to endure even in the face of profound isolation.

SONG:DESERTED MARKETS

To a Paris night

Deserted markets

Runnels of rain

Seeds fill your gutters

And a long night of pain.

Let me stammer my life

Down your endless lane

The night is for dreaming

And a long bed of pain.

My soul shall be dry

In an ebony grain

Keep it from sprouting

In a stranger's pain.

A night for a life

Dawn hastens in vain

A white bird she comes

And gobbles the grain

For night flowed between

Moon-breasts of pain

And the dew leaves no mark 

Where my head has lain.

Themes

"Deserted Markets" by Wole Soyinka delves into several intricate themes:

1. Isolation and Loneliness: The deserted markets serve as a metaphor for the desolation and emptiness experienced by the speaker. The imagery of deserted streets and rain-filled gutters highlights the solitude and isolation felt within. This theme reflects the universal human experience of feeling disconnected and alone in the world.

2. Longing and Yearning: The poem is suffused with a sense of longing and yearning for connection, companionship, and meaning. The speaker's desire to "stammer [their] life" down the "endless lane" of the Paris night conveys a deep longing for understanding and intimacy amidst the vast expanse of solitude.

3. Suffering and Pain: Throughout the poem, there is an undercurrent of suffering and pain. The "long night of pain" and "long bed of pain" suggest emotional or existential anguish, while the imagery of a "stranger's pain" hints at the broader human experience of suffering. This theme underscores the fragility and vulnerability of the human condition.

4. Dreams and Escapism: The night is portrayed as a time for dreaming, a temporary escape from the harsh realities of life. Despite the pain and loneliness, there is a glimmer of hope in the possibility of dreams offering solace and respite from the darkness of the night.

5. Transient Nature of Existence: The poem reflects on the ephemeral nature of life and the passage of time. The imagery of seeds scattered in the gutters, the fleeting moments of the night, and the dawn that "hastens in vain" allude to the transience of human existence and the inevitability of change.

6. Search for Meaning and Identity: The speaker's journey through the deserted markets can also be interpreted as a quest for meaning and identity. The desire to keep the soul "dry" and protected from the pain of others suggests a struggle to preserve one's sense of self and individuality amidst the challenges of life.

Overall, "Deserted Markets" delves into the complexities of the human experience, exploring themes of isolation, longing, suffering, and the search for meaning in the face of existential uncertainty.

Literary devices

"Deserted Markets" by Wole Soyinka employs several literary devices to enhance its imagery and convey its themes effectively:

1. Metaphor: The deserted markets serve as a metaphor for the speaker's sense of isolation and abandonment, as well as the emptiness and desolation within their own psyche.

2. Imagery: Soyinka employs vivid imagery throughout the poem to evoke the sensory experience of the Parisian night. Images such as "runnels of rain," "seeds fill your gutters," and "moon-breasts of pain" create a vivid atmosphere and contribute to the overall mood of the poem.

3. Personification: The personification of the night and dawn, as well as the metaphorical portrayal of the "white bird" that "gobbles the grain," imbues the poem with a sense of agency and movement, as if the natural world is actively participating in the speaker's experience.

4. Symbolism: The use of symbols such as the night, rain, seeds, and the white bird carries deeper symbolic meaning, representing themes of solitude, longing, renewal, and the cyclical nature of existence.

5. Alliteration: Soyinka employs alliteration, as seen in phrases like "Runnels of rain" and "Moon-breasts of pain," to create rhythmic patterns and enhance the musicality of the poem.

6. Repetition: The repetition of phrases such as "long night of pain" and "keep it from sprouting" emphasizes key themes and adds emphasis to the speaker's emotions and experiences.

7. Assonance and Consonance: The poem also utilizes assonance (repetition of vowel sounds) and consonance (repetition of consonant sounds) to create musicality and rhythm. For example, in the phrase "Deserted markets," the repetition of the "e" sound creates a smooth and flowing effect.

8. Enjambment: The use of enjambment, where sentences or phrases continue from one line to the next without a pause, contributes to the poem's sense of movement and fluidity, mirroring the speaker's wandering through the deserted streets of Paris.

These literary devices work together to enrich the poem's language and imagery, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the speaker's introspective journey through the deserted markets of the Parisian night.

Language and diction

In "Deserted Markets," Wole Soyinka employs a rich and evocative language, carefully chosen to convey the speaker's emotional landscape and the atmospheric setting of the Parisian night. The diction is characterized by:

1. Sensory Language: Soyinka utilizes sensory language to paint a vivid picture of the scene, appealing to the reader's senses. Phrases like "Runnels of rain," "Moon-breasts of pain," and "long bed of pain" evoke tactile, visual, and auditory sensations, immersing the reader in the speaker's experience.

2. Imagery: The poem is replete with striking imagery that captures the mood and ambiance of the deserted markets and the night. Images of rain-filled gutters, scattered seeds, and a white bird symbolize themes of solitude, longing, and renewal, while also adding depth to the poem's emotional resonance.

3. Symbolism: Soyinka employs symbolic language to imbue ordinary objects and phenomena with deeper meaning. The deserted markets, for example, serve as a metaphor for the speaker's internal state of isolation and abandonment, while the white bird symbolizes the fleeting nature of hope and renewal.

4. Figurative Language: The poem is enriched with figurative language, including metaphors, personification, and symbolism, which heighten its emotional impact and thematic complexity. For instance, the speaker's soul being likened to an "ebony grain" and the night being personified as a time for dreaming add layers of meaning to the text.

5. Rhythmic Patterns: Soyinka's use of rhythm and cadence contributes to the musicality of the poem, enhancing its poetic appeal. Through careful selection of words and phrasing, he creates a rhythmic flow that mirrors the movement of the speaker through the deserted streets of Paris.

Overall, Soyinka's language and diction in "Deserted Markets" are skillfully crafted to evoke powerful emotions, stimulate the reader's imagination, and convey profound themes of isolation, longing, and existential contemplation.

Structure

The structure of "Deserted Markets" by Wole Soyinka is characterized by its free verse form and the organization of its stanzas. While the poem does not adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or meter, it exhibits a cohesive structure that enhances its thematic resonance and emotional impact:

1. Stanzaic Structure: The poem consists of four stanzas, each varying in length and content. This division creates a sense of progression and development within the poem, as the speaker navigates through the deserted markets and grapples with their internal turmoil.

2. Repetitive Elements: Throughout the poem, there are repeated phrases and motifs that serve to reinforce key themes and ideas. For example, the repetition of "pain" in phrases like "long night of pain" and "long bed of pain" underscores the speaker's emotional anguish and existential struggle.

3. Shifts in Tone and Mood: The poem exhibits shifts in tone and mood as the speaker's emotional state evolves. It begins with a somber and desolate tone, characterized by imagery of deserted markets and rain-filled gutters. However, as the poem progresses, there are moments of introspection and longing, as well as glimpses of hope and renewal.

4. Linear Narrative: While "Deserted Markets" does not follow a linear narrative structure in the traditional sense, it presents a coherent sequence of events and emotions that unfold over the course of the poem. The speaker's journey through the deserted streets of Paris and their internal reflections form a cohesive narrative thread that guides the reader through the poem's thematic terrain.

5. Enjambment and Punctuation: Soyinka employs enjambment, where lines flow seamlessly into one another without punctuation, to create a sense of fluidity and movement within the poem. This technique reflects the speaker's wandering through the deserted markets and adds to the overall rhythm and cadence of the text.

Overall, the structure of "Deserted Markets" is characterized by its fluidity, coherence, and thematic depth, allowing Soyinka to explore complex emotions and ideas within a concise and evocative framework.

Conclusion

In "Deserted Markets," Wole Soyinka masterfully crafts a poetic meditation on solitude, longing, and the transient nature of existence. Through vivid imagery, rich language, and carefully chosen literary devices, Soyinka invites readers into the atmospheric setting of a Parisian night, where deserted markets become a metaphor for the speaker's internal landscape of isolation and emotional turmoil.

The poem's structure, characterized by its free verse form, stanzaic organization, and shifts in tone and mood, guides readers through the speaker's journey of introspection and existential contemplation. As the speaker navigates through the deserted streets of Paris, grappling with feelings of loneliness and pain, they also experience moments of longing, hope, and renewal.

Ultimately, "Deserted Markets" leaves readers with a profound sense of the human condition—its complexities, vulnerabilities, and capacity for resilience. Through the universal themes explored in the poem, Soyinka prompts reflection on the nature of solitude, the search for meaning, and the enduring power of hope in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, "Deserted Markets" stands as a testament to Soyinka's mastery of language and his ability to evoke deep emotions and provoke thought through the medium of poetry. It is a work that resonates with readers on a visceral level, inviting them to contemplate the mysteries of existence and the interconnectedness of humanity in a world marked by solitude and longing.