Introduction
"Post Mortem" by Wole Soyinka explores the theme of death and the cold, clinical nature of mortality. Through vivid imagery and stark language, Soyinka delves into the utilitarian aspects of death, contrasting the mundane functions of a freezing plant with the solemnity of mortuaries. The poem portrays death as a universal equalizer, reducing the deceased to mere flesh and bones, stripped of all individuality and vitality. The speaker reflects on the physical decay of the deceased, highlighting the stark contrast between life and death. Ultimately, the poem encourages readers to confront mortality and embrace the inevitability of the human condition, urging them to find beauty and acceptance in the grayscale of existence.
POST MORTEM
there are more functions to a freczing plant than stocking beer;cold biers of mortuaries submit thcir ducs,harnessed -glory be!-
is the cold hand of death...
his mouth was cotton filled,his man-pike shrunk to sub-soil grub
his head was hollowed and his brain
on scales -was this a trick to prove
fore-knowledge after death:
his Hesh confesses what has stilled
his tongue;masked fingers think from him to learn,how not to die.
let us love all things of grey;grey slabs grey scalpel,one grey sleep and form, grey images.
Themes
"Post Mortem" by Wole Soyinka delves into several detailed themes:
1. Mortality and Death: The central theme of the poem revolves around mortality and the inevitability of death. Soyinka explores the physical and emotional aspects of death, depicting the deceased as stripped of all vitality and reduced to mere remnants of their former selves. The poem reflects on the cold, clinical nature of death, portraying it as a universal equalizer that transcends social status or personal identity.
2. Dehumanization and Loss of Identity: Through imagery such as "cold biers of mortuaries" and descriptions of the deceased's physical decay, Soyinka highlights the dehumanizing effect of death. The poem depicts how death robs individuals of their identity and reduces them to lifeless objects. This loss of identity serves to underscore the poem's exploration of mortality and the transience of human existence.
3. The Mundane and the Profound: By juxtaposing the everyday functions of a freezing plant with the solemnity of death, Soyinka explores the contrast between the mundane and the profound. The poem suggests that even in the midst of routine activities, such as stocking beer or operating machinery, there lies a deeper significance and reminder of mortality.
4. Fear of Death and the Unknown: The poem touches upon the fear and uncertainty surrounding death. Through descriptions of the deceased's physical state and the speaker's contemplation of mortality, Soyinka explores humanity's struggle to comprehend the mysteries of death and what lies beyond. The mention of "fore-knowledge after death" suggests a quest for understanding and a desire to transcend the limitations of mortality.
5. Acceptance and Embrace of Mortality: Despite the somber tone and stark imagery, the poem ultimately encourages acceptance and embrace of mortality. The repetition of the color grey and the emphasis on uniformity in death suggest a sense of resignation and acknowledgment of the natural order of life and death. By urging readers to "love all things of grey," Soyinka invites them to find beauty and solace in the acceptance of mortality as an inherent part of the human experience.
Literary devices
In "Post Mortem," Wole Soyinka employs various literary devices to convey the themes and imagery of the poem:
1. Imagery: Soyinka utilizes vivid imagery to evoke powerful visual and sensory experiences for the reader. Descriptions such as "cold biers of mortuaries," "cotton-filled mouth," and "grey slabs" paint a stark and evocative picture of death and decay.
2. Metaphor: The poem contains several metaphors that convey deeper meanings. For example, the freezing plant is metaphorically linked to the mortuary, highlighting the cold, impersonal nature of death. Similarly, the depiction of the deceased's body as "grey images" suggests a sense of lifelessness and uniformity.
3. Symbolism: The color grey serves as a symbolic motif throughout the poem, representing the bleakness and neutrality of death. Grey is used to describe various elements associated with mortality, such as slabs, scalpels, and sleep, reinforcing the theme of acceptance and inevitability.
4. Personification: Soyinka personifies death through descriptions such as "the cold hand of death" and "his mouth was cotton filled." By attributing human qualities to death, the poet enhances its ominous and foreboding presence in the poem.
5. Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds, particularly the "s" sound in phrases like "submit their dues" and "shrunken sub-soil grub," creates a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem, enhancing its auditory appeal.
6. Repetition: The repetition of phrases such as "grey slabs" and "grey images" reinforces key themes and images, emphasizing the monotony and inevitability of death.
7. Irony: The juxtaposition of mundane activities like stocking beer with the solemnity of death creates a sense of irony, highlighting the stark contrast between the routine aspects of life and the profound reality of mortality.
8. Enjambment: Soyinka employs enjambment throughout the poem, allowing thoughts and images to flow seamlessly from one line to the next. This technique creates a sense of fluidity and continuity, enhancing the poem's narrative flow and thematic cohesion.
Language and diction
In "Post Mortem," Wole Soyinka's language and diction play a crucial role in conveying the poem's themes and establishing its tone:
1. Clinical Language: The use of clinical language, such as "freezing plant," "mortuaries," and "sub-soil grub," contributes to the poem's stark and impersonal portrayal of death. This choice of language emphasizes the mechanical and routine aspects of mortality, highlighting the cold, clinical nature of the mortuary setting.
2. Concrete and Sensory Details: Soyinka employs concrete and sensory details to evoke vivid imagery and engage the reader's senses. Descriptions such as "cold biers," "cotton-filled mouth," and "hollowed head" create a palpable sense of atmosphere and immerse the reader in the grim reality of death.
3. Symbolic Language: The use of symbolic language, particularly the repetition of the color grey, imbues the poem with deeper meaning. Grey is used to symbolize the neutrality and bleakness of death, as well as the uniformity of mortality. By employing symbolic language, Soyinka enriches the poem's thematic depth and encourages readers to contemplate its broader implications.
4. Figurative Language: Soyinka incorporates figurative language, such as metaphors and personification, to convey complex ideas and emotions. For example, death is personified as "the cold hand of death," while the deceased's body is metaphorically described as "grey images." These figurative devices add layers of meaning to the poem and enhance its emotional impact.
5. Elevated Vocabulary: The poet's use of elevated vocabulary contributes to the poem's formal tone and literary sophistication. Words such as "fore-knowledge," "harnessed," and "confesses" lend a sense of intellectual depth and complexity to the poem, inviting readers to engage with its themes on a deeper level.
Overall, Soyinka's precise language choices and diction contribute to the poem's evocative imagery, thematic richness, and emotional resonance, making "Post Mortem" a compelling exploration of mortality and the human condition.
Structure
The structure of "Post Mortem" by Wole Soyinka contributes to the poem's thematic coherence and aesthetic impact. Here are some key elements of its structure:
1. Stanzaic Structure: The poem is divided into four stanzas of varying lengths. This division allows for a sense of progression and development within the poem, as each stanza explores different aspects of the theme of death and mortality.
2. Enjambment: Soyinka frequently uses enjambment throughout the poem, allowing thoughts and images to flow seamlessly from one line to the next. This technique creates a sense of fluidity and continuity, enhancing the poem's narrative flow and thematic cohesion.
3. Repetition: The poem employs repetition of certain phrases and images for emphasis and effect. For example, the repetition of the word "grey" throughout the poem reinforces the theme of mortality and the uniformity of death.
4. Parallelism: Soyinka employs parallelism in the structure of certain lines and phrases, creating a sense of rhythm and symmetry. This technique adds to the poem's aesthetic appeal and enhances its overall coherence.
5. Shifts in Tone and Mood: The structure of the poem allows for shifts in tone and mood, from the mundane to the profound, from the clinical to the contemplative. These shifts contribute to the complexity and depth of the poem, inviting readers to engage with its themes on multiple levels.
6. Climactic Build-Up: The structure of the poem builds towards a climactic revelation or realization, such as the speaker's contemplation of mortality and the acceptance of death as an inevitable part of the human experience. This climactic build-up adds to the emotional impact and thematic resonance of the poem.
Overall, the structure of "Post Mortem" serves to enhance its thematic coherence, aesthetic beauty, and emotional resonance, making it a powerful exploration of mortality and the human condition.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Post Mortem" by Wole Soyinka is a poignant exploration of mortality, death, and the human condition. Through vivid imagery, symbolic language, and precise diction, Soyinka crafts a poem that delves into the cold, clinical nature of death while also inviting readers to contemplate its broader implications. The poem's structure, including its stanzaic divisions, use of enjambment, repetition, and shifts in tone, enhances its thematic coherence and emotional resonance. Ultimately, "Post Mortem" encourages readers to confront the inevitability of death and find beauty and acceptance in the grayscale of existence. It stands as a powerful meditation on the universal human experience, inviting reflection on life, death, and the mysteries that lie beyond.
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