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The Beggar by Tatamkhulu Afrika
When I passed
the bus-stop, his black
as biltong hand
thrust out,
demanding alms.
Beneath the grime,
he was a yellow man,
and small,
and crumpled as a towel,
eyes receding into bone,
shivering, too thin frame
denying the truculence of the hand.
'No,' I said.
and walked on,
annoyed that I was annoyed,
swatting off shame
all the way into town.
Coming back,
the day-long drizzle stopped
and a suddenly clear
sky sang
of summer round the bend,
white sails in the Bay,
birds grown garrulous again.
I looked for him.
He was lying on his back in the sun,
eyes closed,
stretched out as long as a spill,
hardly distinguishable
from any of the other
drifts of the debris in the lane.
'Drunk again,' I thought
and paused, then pressed
my penance into his palm.
Quick as a trap,
his fingers lashed
over it: suprised
sober eyes blessed
me for being kind.
Then he slept again,
fist wrapped, tight,
about the bribe my guilt refused
limbs thrown wide
as though a car had flung him there
and left him to a healing of the sun.
General Introduction
"The Beggar" by Tatamkhulu Afrika presents a vivid and poignant portrayal of a beggar's encounter with a passerby. The poem explores themes of poverty, human indifference, guilt, and societal neglect. Through the interaction between the speaker and the beggar, Afrika delves into the complexities of human emotions and the often uncomfortable confrontation with one's conscience when faced with the stark realities of another's suffering.
Title
The title "The Beggar" immediately sets the focus on the subject of the poem. It brings attention to the marginalized individual whose presence and plight drive the narrative. The simplicity of the title reflects the often overlooked and neglected existence of the beggar in society, while also evoking a sense of universality.
Themes
1. Poverty and Destitution
- The poem opens with a stark depiction of the beggar's physical condition: "his black / as biltong hand / thrust out, / demanding alms." The beggar's state of destitution is emphasized through descriptions of his appearance and actions, highlighting the dire circumstances he endures.
2. Human Indifference
- The speaker's initial reaction to the beggar's plea, "No,' I said. / and walked on," reflects a common indifference towards the homeless. The speaker's annoyance and subsequent dismissal of the beggar's request underscore a broader societal tendency to ignore the plight of the less fortunate.
3. Guilt and Conscience
- The speaker grapples with feelings of guilt: "annoyed that I was annoyed, / swatting off shame / all the way into town." This internal conflict reveals the struggle between societal conditioning to ignore beggars and the innate human conscience that feels compelled to help.
4. Redemption and Penance
- Upon returning, the speaker's act of giving the beggar money represents a form of penance: "and pressed / my penance into his palm." This gesture, although motivated by guilt, signifies an attempt to redeem oneself and address the earlier neglect.
5. Illusion vs. Reality
- The poem contrasts the perceived state of the beggar ("'Drunk again,' I thought") with the reality of his condition ("surprised / sober eyes blessed / me for being kind"). This theme highlights the often erroneous assumptions made about homeless individuals and the reality of their experiences.
Literary Devices
1. Imagery
- The poem is rich with vivid imagery, such as "black / as biltong hand" and "crumpled as a towel," which paint a detailed picture of the beggar's appearance and evoke strong sensory responses from the reader.
2. Simile
- Afrika uses similes to create striking comparisons, such as "small, / and crumpled as a towel," enhancing the reader's understanding of the beggar's frail state and pitiable condition.
3. Personification
- The sky is personified as it "sang / of summer round the bend," imbuing the natural environment with human-like qualities that contrast sharply with the beggar's desolation.
4. Symbolism
- The "penance" the speaker gives symbolizes the guilt and moral obligation felt towards the beggar, representing a broader societal attempt to alleviate discomfort through minimal gestures of charity.
5. Contrast
- The poem contrasts the beggar's physical appearance and demeanor with the speaker's internal emotions, as well as the initial perception of drunkenness with the reality of sobriety, highlighting the complexities of human judgment and empathy.
6. Irony
- There is an ironic twist when the beggar, assumed to be drunk, reveals "sober eyes" that bless the speaker. This irony underscores the flawed assumptions and judgments often made about marginalized individuals.
Language and Mood
The language of the poem is stark and descriptive, capturing the grim reality of the beggar's life and the speaker's conflicted emotions. The mood shifts from one of annoyance and discomfort to a more reflective and remorseful tone as the speaker acknowledges their initial indifference and attempts to make amends. The language conveys a sense of realism, emphasizing the harshness of the beggar's existence and the speaker's moral struggle.
Context
Tatamkhulu Afrika, born in Egypt and raised in South Africa, often wrote about social injustices and the human condition. His own experiences with marginalization and activism are reflected in his poetry. "The Beggar" can be seen as a critique of societal attitudes towards poverty and the often superficial attempts to address it. The poem challenges readers to confront their own perceptions and actions towards the less fortunate.
Conclusion
"The Beggar" by Tatamkhulu Afrika is a powerful exploration of human interactions with poverty and the moral complexities involved. Through vivid imagery, similes, and a keen sense of irony, Afrika presents a narrative that compels readers to reflect on their own responses to societal issues. The poem not only highlights the beggar's plight but also serves as a mirror to the reader's conscience, urging a deeper consideration of empathy and human connection.
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