Western Civilisation by Agostinho Neto
Sheets of tin nailed to posts
driven into the ground
make up the house.
Some rags complete
the intimate landscape.
The sun, slanting through cracks,
welcomes the owner
after twelve hours of slave
labor.
Breaking rock,
shifting rock,
breaking rock,
shifting rock,
fair weather,
wet weather,
breaking rock,
shifting rock.
Old age comes early;
a mat on dark nights
is enough when he dies
gratefully
from hunger.
General Introduction
The poem "Western Civilisation" is written by Agostinho Neto, a renowned Angolan poet and politician who played a significant role in the country's struggle for independence from Portuguese colonial rule. Neto was not only a revolutionary leader but also a voice of the oppressed, and his poems often reflect the anguish, hardship, and resistance of his people under colonial domination. "Western Civilisation" was likely written during the height of European colonialism in Africa, a time marked by the exploitation of African labor and resources under the guise of bringing Western 'civilization' to the continent.
Neto's poetic style is often blunt and realistic, using sparse but evocative language to depict the suffering of African people. This poem reflects the poet’s disdain for the hypocrisy of Western powers who imposed cruel living conditions on colonized people while touting the virtues of Western development and progress.
Title
The title "Western Civilisation" is deeply ironic. While "civilisation" usually connotes progress, development, and refinement, the poem reveals the devastating consequences of Western imperialism on African lives. The juxtaposition of the title with the harsh realities described in the poem suggests a critique of how the so-called civilization brought by the West dehumanized and impoverished the colonized populations. Rather than uplifting them, it subjected them to brutal conditions. The title thus sets a critical tone from the outset.
Themes of "Western Civilisation" by Agostinho Neto
1. Colonial Exploitation:
The dominant theme in Western Civilisation is the brutal exploitation of colonized African laborers by European powers. The poem graphically illustrates the inhumane working conditions imposed on Africans, highlighting the long hours of hard labor, described as "twelve hours of slave / labor," where the subject spends his day "breaking rock, / shifting rock." The repetition of these actions, along with the harsh environments of "fair weather, / wet weather," underscores the monotony and exhaustion of the laborer's life under colonial rule. This relentless labor not only dehumanizes the subject but also shortens his lifespan, as reflected in the line, "Old age comes early." Colonialism, portrayed here, is a system that drains the life out of the colonized in return for the so-called "civilization" it brings.
The idea of exploitation is further emphasized by the living conditions of the laborer. He returns to a home made of "Sheets of tin nailed to posts" and "rags," painting a picture of extreme poverty and deprivation. These conditions contrast sharply with the promises of development and improvement often associated with Western civilization. Instead, the poem reveals that colonialism left the local people in a state of dire poverty and subjugation.
2. Irony of Western Civilization:
The title itself is a direct comment on the hypocrisy and irony of what the West called "civilization." In this context, Western civilization refers to the European imperial powers who colonized Africa under the pretense of bringing progress, modernization, and moral development. However, the poem reveals the stark reality behind this claim: exploitation, suffering, and the dehumanization of African peoples. The poor laborer, forced into grueling, repetitive work and confined to a life of poverty, is the true product of this so-called civilization.
Neto’s use of the title points to the idea that Western civilization was not a benevolent force, but rather a system of control and oppression that benefited the colonizers at the expense of the colonized. The laborer’s meager existence, punctuated by hunger and premature death, stands in stark contrast to the ideals of enlightenment, progress, and development that "civilization" usually represents. The poem thus forces the reader to question the true meaning of civilization and who it actually serves.
3. Dehumanization and Loss of Dignity:
Dehumanization is another central theme in the poem. The laborer’s existence is reduced to a cycle of endless toil, as reflected in the repetitive lines "breaking rock, / shifting rock." His labor is mechanical and soul-crushing, stripping him of his humanity. He is not treated as an individual with dreams, desires, or even basic needs, but rather as a tool in the service of colonial industry. The laborer’s life is so devoid of comfort and dignity that even death is seen as a form of release, as he dies "gratefully / from hunger."
This loss of dignity is also reflected in his living conditions. The laborer returns to a home made of "sheets of tin" and "rags," symbols of his status as a marginalized and impoverished worker. His life is one of continual suffering, and the system in which he lives provides no room for personal growth or fulfillment. His eventual death, described as an act of gratitude, underscores the extent to which colonialism has stripped him of any hope or agency. In this context, the poem is not only about the physical exploitation of labor but also about the emotional and psychological toll of colonial oppression.
4. The Brutality of Labor:
Labor is depicted as both a physical and psychological burden in the poem. The repetitive tasks of "breaking rock" and "shifting rock" suggest that the laborer’s life is reduced to nothing more than an endless cycle of backbreaking work. The labor is grueling and relentless, taking place in all conditions, whether in "fair weather, / wet weather." This suggests that there is no reprieve for the worker, no space for rest or relief. The repetition of these actions throughout the poem also reinforces the idea of the worker as a machine, an object whose sole purpose is to serve the interests of the colonial power.
Furthermore, the harshness of the labor leads to premature aging: "Old age comes early." The physical toll of this labor is immense, robbing the laborer of his youth, vitality, and future. The poem paints a picture of a man worn down by years of brutal work, ultimately succumbing to hunger and exhaustion. The harshness of his working conditions not only leads to physical suffering but also strips him of any hope for a better life.
5. Poverty and Survival:
The theme of poverty is deeply intertwined with the theme of exploitation. The laborer lives in abject poverty, as depicted by his makeshift home made of "sheets of tin" and "rags." This image of destitution emphasizes the disparity between the wealth generated by his labor and the life he is forced to live. Despite working for long hours under harsh conditions, the laborer can only afford the barest of necessities. His existence is reduced to survival, with no hope of escape from his miserable conditions.
The poem also touches on the theme of survival in a more symbolic sense. The laborer dies "gratefully / from hunger," a phrase that captures the extent of his deprivation. Death, in this case, is not something to be feared, but rather a release from the constant struggle for survival. The fact that the laborer welcomes death as an end to his suffering speaks volumes about the inhumanity of the colonial system, which leaves its subjects with no other option but to die in gratitude for the end of their misery.
6. Premature Death and Mortality:
Death and mortality are present throughout the poem as a consequence of the dehumanizing conditions the laborer faces. His early death is foreshadowed by the line "Old age comes early," which suggests that the hardships of his life have aged him prematurely. The physical toll of the labor, combined with his impoverished living conditions, leads to his eventual death, which is seen as a release from suffering.
The final lines of the poem, where the laborer dies "gratefully / from hunger," encapsulate the theme of mortality. Here, death is not seen as a tragic event but as a form of escape from a life of relentless toil and deprivation. The fact that the laborer welcomes death reveals the hopelessness of his situation, as death is the only way to end his suffering. The poem thus highlights the dehumanizing effects of colonialism, which not only robs individuals of their dignity but also of their very lives.
Western Civilisation by Agostinho Neto is a powerful critique of colonial exploitation, dehumanization, and the irony of so-called progress brought by Western powers. The themes of brutal labor, poverty, premature death, and the loss of dignity pervade the poem, reflecting the harsh realities of life under colonial rule. Through these themes, Neto exposes the stark contrast between the ideals of Western civilization and the lived experiences of those subjected to its rule. The poem ultimately serves as a condemnation of the inhumane systems of oppression that colonized peoples endured.
Literary Devices
1. Repetition:
- "Breaking rock, / shifting rock, / breaking rock, / shifting rock": The repetition of these lines emphasizes the monotony and grueling nature of the labor imposed on the subject of the poem. The ceaseless and exhausting task of breaking and shifting rock reflects the oppressive working conditions faced by African laborers under colonial rule.
2. Irony:
- The title itself is an example of irony. "Western Civilisation" suggests development and progress, but the content of the poem reveals a life of degradation, exploitation, and poverty. The poem undermines the very notion of civilization as something beneficial, pointing to the hypocrisy of the colonial powers.
3. Imagery:
- "Sheets of tin nailed to posts / driven into the ground / make up the house": This description creates a vivid image of a makeshift, inadequate shelter, symbolizing the poor living conditions of the laborers. The "rags" and "cracks" contribute to a visual of destitution, contrasting starkly with the supposed benefits of Western civilization.
4. Personification:
- "The sun, slanting through cracks, / welcomes the owner": Here, the sun is personified as welcoming the laborer back home. This is a subtle device that contrasts the indifferent natural world with the human-created suffering of colonial exploitation. The sun, something universal and natural, offers the only warmth and comfort in the laborer’s life.
5. Metaphor:
- "Old age comes early": This line metaphorically suggests that the intense labor and poor living conditions cause premature aging. The subject’s life is shortened and prematurely worn down by the burdens imposed on them by colonial exploitation.
6. Symbolism:
- The "mat on dark nights" is symbolic of the bare necessities of life that these laborers are reduced to. It symbolizes the stark contrast between the life they are forced to live and the ideals of comfort and progress that Western civilization claims to offer.
Language and Diction
Neto employs simple, direct diction to reflect the harsh realities of the laborer's life. The lack of flowery or complex language mirrors the bleakness of the subject's existence. The language is also devoid of hope or optimism, as words like "slave labor," "hunger," and "rags" evoke a sense of desolation. The repetition of the words "breaking" and "shifting" underscores the exhausting, repetitive cycle of labor imposed on the subject. Neto uses a stark, unembellished tone to convey the grimness of life under colonialism.
The use of short, declarative sentences adds to the blunt force of the poem, and there are no unnecessary embellishments. The choice of diction contributes to a clear, oppressive tone, in keeping with the poem's theme of exploitation.
Mood and Tone
The mood of the poem is one of despondency and weariness. The laborer’s life is portrayed as unrelenting and devoid of any joy or fulfillment, creating an emotional atmosphere of hopelessness. The tone is critical and accusatory. Neto is clearly denouncing the colonial system that has reduced human beings to this state of suffering and degradation. The repetition of the grueling tasks emphasizes the dehumanizing nature of this labor, and the poem’s tone reflects deep indignation toward the exploitative forces of colonialism.
Context
"Western Civilisation" was written during a period of intense struggle for independence in African nations. Neto himself was a leader in Angola’s fight for liberation from Portuguese rule, and this context is crucial to understanding the poem. Western powers, through colonialism, exploited Africa's resources and people, often under the pretense of bringing civilization to the continent. However, as the poem shows, this civilization only brought suffering, poverty, and early death to many Africans.
In a broader historical context, the poem reflects the post-colonial sentiment shared by many African intellectuals and writers, who sought to expose the realities of colonial exploitation and to reclaim their cultural identity from the influence of Western imperialism. Neto’s poem is part of a larger tradition of resistance literature that sought to dismantle the myths of European superiority and expose the brutal realities of colonial rule.
Conclusion
Agostinho Neto’s "Western Civilisation" is a powerful indictment of the dehumanizing effects of colonialism. Through vivid imagery, irony, and repetition, Neto contrasts the grandiose claims of Western civilization with the reality of African laborers' suffering. The poem critiques the hypocrisy of Western imperial powers, who imposed cruel working and living conditions on colonized populations under the guise of bringing progress. The stark language and desolate mood of the poem leave no room for ambiguity—Neto’s message is a clear condemnation of the exploitation inherent in colonialism.
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