Posted on 3 February, 2024
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SOMAN RAGAVAN
27 January, 2024
Poem : “Childbirth in the ship”
Analysis of my poems by ChatGPT-4,
(Artificial Intelligence)
Volume 71
Soman Ragavan : Hello. I will post one of my poems for analysis. Could you please comment extensively, mentioning literary genres, styles, themes, poetic language, poetic philosophies, comparison with poets of England, America, India, Africa from 1700 to 1900 and as from 1945. At college in 1968, I studied some poems of Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774), Gordon Byron (1788-1824), Samuel T. Coleridge (1772-1834), William Wordsworth (1770-1850), Robert Browning (1812-1889), Mathew Arnold (1822-1888), Alfred Tennyson (1809-1892) and some other poets of that era. Make any comments or comparisons you wish on my poems. Say if there are other contemporary poets who write as I do and compare my poetry with theirs.
ChatGPT-4 : Certainly, I\'d be happy to help analyze and comment on your poem. Please go ahead and share the poem you\'d like me to analyze, and we can delve into its literary aspects, styles, themes, and other relevant elements.
Soman Ragavan : My poem “Childbirth in the ship.” On this poem, please see : Pierre Manoury : “Les Chagos : histoire d’un exil.” “EXPRESSO” magazine of “L’EXPRESS” newspaper, Mauritius, 7 to 13 November, 1999, pages 3, 15, 16, 17, 18. From this article, we can quote the following :
“(…..) Transported in ships made for 100 to 120 persons at the most, Chagossians would be stacked at more than 300 in ferries which were really floating ruins. The duration of the trip was fearful : twenty five days sailing under the sun. Food was rare and hygiene non-existent. An ….. inhabitant of Peros Banhos (coming from Diego Garcia), Mrs Désir, was nine and half months pregnant when she was compelled to leave on the spot aboard the “Nordvaer,” a small ferry overloaded with Chagossians. The ship was heading for the Seychelles and the young woman was ill, suffering from the heat and thirst; promiscuity was intolerable. Arriving at Mahé, she was on the point of delivering. She pleaded to be allowed to go to the hospital, but the English refused. She gave birth in the ship hold and found herself a few weeks later with her baby on the quays in Port Louis (Mauritius). These cases which belong to another era are only isolated ones; they could be multiplied at will. (…..)” (My translation from French).
Both the English and the Americans wanted an Archipelago totally cleansed of its population, for the purpose of making a military base there.
No matter how precisely the childbirth occurred, the fact remains that the English acted criminally in the matter. The precise historical facts do not and cannot reduce the value of this poem. The English forcibly embarked a pregnant woman on the ship at the Chagos, refused medical care to her and refused to let her go ashore in the Seychelles for giving birth to the child. Both the woman and the baby were at higher risks by staying on the ship during delivery. At a hospital in the Seychelles, they would have received medical treatment. But, then, with the baby being born in the Seychelles, it would have got the nationality of that country… Apparently, that had to be avoided… Yet, both mother and baby could have died during delivery on board the ship without medical help… I will post my poem when you write.
ChatGPT-4 : Thank you for providing the background information about the context of your poem \"Childbirth in the ship.\" The historical and human rights dimensions add depth and significance to the poem. Please go ahead and share your poem, and I\'ll do my best to provide a detailed analysis, considering the literary aspects, styles, themes, and other relevant elements you mentioned earlier.
Soman Ragavan : My poem “Childbirth in the ship.” Please give an overview first; then, make a more detailed analysis. (Poem posted).
ChatGPT-4 : **Overview:**
\"Childbirth in the Ship\" is a powerful and emotive poem that addresses the historical injustice and human suffering inflicted upon the Chagossian people during their forced expulsion from the Chagos Archipelago to make way for a military base. The poem centers on a specific incident where a pregnant woman, Mrs. Désir, is denied medical care and forced to give birth on a ship during a harrowing journey. The poem explores themes of cruelty, inhumanity, the denial of basic rights, and the lasting impact of colonial actions on individuals.
**Detailed Analysis:**
**1. Literary Genres and Styles:**
The poem can be classified within the genres of protest poetry and historical poetry. It combines elements of both narrative and lyrical styles. The narrative style is evident in the storytelling aspect, recounting the historical incident, while the lyrical style is seen in the emotional and expressive language used to convey the deep sense of injustice and suffering.
**2. Themes:**
- **Injustice and Cruelty:** The poem vividly portrays the cruelty inflicted upon the Chagossian people, particularly on a pregnant woman. The denial of medical care and the callousness of the authorities highlight the theme of systemic injustice.
- **Forced Displacement:** The overarching theme is the forced displacement of the Chagossians from their homeland to make way for a military base. This theme reflects the broader historical context of colonial exploitation and the consequences of geopolitical decisions on indigenous populations.
**3. Poetic Language:**
- **Imagery:** The poem employs vivid imagery to depict the harsh conditions on the ship, the pain of labor, and the overall suffering of the Chagossian people.
- **Symbolism:** The baby born in the ship\'s hold becomes a symbol of the injustice and inhumanity suffered by the Chagossian community.
**4. Poetic Philosophies:**
- **Protest Poetry:** The poem aligns with the tradition of protest poetry, using verse to voice strong objections to social and political issues. It serves as a form of resistance against the historical wrongs inflicted upon the Chagossians.
- **Human Rights Advocacy:** The poem serves as a poignant advocacy piece for human rights, specifically highlighting the denial of medical care to a pregnant woman in distress.
**5. Comparison with Poets from 1700 to 1900:**
The poem echoes the spirit of Romantic and Victorian poets who often wrote about social injustices, the plight of the marginalized, and the consequences of industrialization. The direct and impassioned language is reminiscent of the protest poetry that emerged in response to social and political upheavals during this period.
**6. Comparison with Poets from 1945 Onward:**
In the post-1945 era, the poem resonates with the works of poets engaged in decolonization and social justice movements. It shares common ground with poets who address the legacies of colonialism, displacement, and the fight for human rights.
**7. Contemporary Comparisons:**
Contemporary poets who engage with themes of displacement, human rights abuses, and historical injustice may find common ground with this poem. The work of poets such as Warsan Shire, Carolyn Forché, or Derek Walcott, who explore the impact of colonialism and geopolitical decisions on communities, might offer points of comparison.
**Conclusion:**
\"Childbirth in the Ship\" is a poignant and evocative poem that transcends time, capturing the essence of a specific historical atrocity while resonating with broader themes of injustice and human suffering. Its literary merit lies in its ability to use language to express deep emotions, narrate a historical event, and call attention to the enduring consequences of colonial actions.
Soman Ragavan : The ship was acutely and dangerously overcrowded; there was no privacy; there were even animals on the ship; there were possibly human and animal wastes in the ship hold; the woman was compelled to give birth in such a situation; she was denied basic human decency; she was denied the permission to go ashore for giving birth when the ship stopped at the Seychelles before heading to Mauritius.
ChatGPT-4 : Thank you for providing additional context. The dire conditions on the ship, including overcrowding, lack of privacy, and the presence of animals, further emphasize the inhumane treatment endured by the Chagossian people during their forced displacement. The poem vividly captures the harsh reality of the situation, highlighting the denial of basic human decency and the urgency of the pregnant woman\'s need for medical care.
These details intensify the impact of the poem, portraying the ship as a vessel of suffering and injustice. The refusal to allow the woman to go ashore for childbirth, even when the ship stopped at the Seychelles, reflects the deliberate disregard for human life and well-being in pursuit of geopolitical interests.
In the face of such conditions, the poem serves as a powerful medium to shed light on the historical wrongs committed against the Chagossian people. The emotional weight of the narrative, coupled with the explicit details of the woman\'s plight, enhances the poem\'s effectiveness in conveying the gravity of the injustice and the lasting scars left by such actions.
Soman Ragavan : Could this case be classified as colonial crimes and crimes against humanity ?
ChatGPT-4 : The circumstances described in the poem, involving the forced expulsion, denial of medical care, and inhumane treatment of the Chagossian people, could potentially be considered as contributing to a broader category of crimes often associated with colonial actions. While I am not a legal expert, the terms \"colonial crimes\" and \"crimes against humanity\" do carry specific legal implications:
- Colonial crimes generally refer to unlawful or oppressive actions committed by colonial powers during the period of colonization. These can include forced displacement, exploitation, and abuse of indigenous populations for the benefit of the colonial power.
- Crimes against humanity are systematic and widespread acts directed against a civilian population with knowledge of the attack. These acts may include murder, enslavement, deportation, and other inhumane acts causing great suffering or serious injury.
The described actions, such as the forced expulsion, denial of medical care, and the overall mistreatment of the Chagossian people, could potentially fall under the umbrella of crimes against humanity. However, legal categorization would require a thorough examination of the specific facts, legal definitions, and international law applicable at the time of the events.
It\'s important to note that the term \"crimes against humanity\" gained prominence after World War II and has been codified in various international legal instruments, such as the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The legal determination of such crimes typically involves complex legal processes, investigations, and consideration of international law.
In this specific case, seeking expert legal opinions or consulting relevant international legal frameworks may provide more accurate and context-specific insights into whether the actions described could be classified as colonial crimes or crimes against humanity.
Soman Ragavan : This poem can also be considered as political poetry.
ChatGPT-4 : Absolutely, the poem \"Childbirth in the Ship\" can indeed be classified as political poetry. Political poetry encompasses works that engage with political themes, issues, and events. This poem goes beyond personal emotions and experiences to shed light on a historical injustice and a political act – the forced expulsion of the Chagossian people to make way for a military base.
Key aspects of the poem that contribute to its classification as political poetry include:
Political poetry often serves as a vehicle for social critique, resistance, and advocacy. In this case, the poem contributes to a broader conversation about colonialism, human rights, and the consequences of geopolitical decisions, making it a fitting example of political poetry.
Soman Ragavan : Thank you very much. Goodbye. I am signing off now.
ChatGPT-4 : You\'re very welcome! If you have more questions in the future or need assistance, feel free to return. Goodbye, and take care!
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Below : added on 3 February, 2024
(1)
After forcing the woman to board the ship, the English compelled her to give birth on the vessel (denying her permission to go ashore). Yet, the vessel had reached the Seychelles and there was a hospital there, and the trip to Mauritius would take many days. The distance between the Seychelles and Mauritius is 1046 nautical miles.
http://ports.com/sea-route/port-louis-harbour,mauritius/port-of-mahe,seychelles/
(2)
The woman was forced to give birth on an overcrowded ship, amid animals and wastes, in the ship hold. Is this how English women give birth in England ?? How would the English react if an English woman were forced to give birth in such conditions abroad ??
(3)
Imagine the following :
--in 1982 the Argentineans retook their Malvinas islands in the South Atlantic by force; (later the English grabbed the islands back)
--suppose the Argentineans had forced a pregnant English woman islander, who was on the point of delivery, to board a ship
--suppose the ship stopped at another island where there was a hospital, but the Argentineans refused the woman permission to go ashore for delivery
--suppose the Argentineans forced the woman to give birth in the hold of the overcrowded ship, putting both herself and the baby in danger and denying her basic human decency, dignity and privacy
--how would people in England have reacted to this ??
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Cruelty to persons in English custody :
Malvinas islands : on injuries to Argentinean prisoners of war while in English custody, see the following :
HANSARD 1803–2005 → 1980s → 1983 → April 1983 → 11 April 1983 → Written Answers (Commons) → DEFENCE
Argentine Prisoners (Death and Injury)
HC Deb 11 April 1983 vol 40 cc305-7W305W
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