Poem : 'Slavery revisited' ; 27 March, 2023.
Soman Ragavan : Hello. Can I post a poem of mine for analysis, please ?
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Of course! I'd be happy to analyze your poem. Please go ahead and share it with me.
Soman Ragavan : My poem "Slavery revisited." This is on the subject of how Indian immigrant workers in the sugar cane industry were treated by the English during colonisation in Mauritius. Please analyse by groups of three stanzas, then give overall comments. Make reference to similar works, if possible. Poem : 'Slavery revisited' ; 27 March, 2023. POEM SLAVERY REVISITED
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Thank you for sharing your poem "Slavery Revisited." I'll analyze it in groups of three stanzas and provide overall comments.
Stanzas 1-3: The opening stanzas set the stage for the poem, expressing the debate surrounding slavery and its abolition. The language reflects the passionate pleas made during this debate, highlighting the perspectives of those who argued for the benefits of slavery. The stanza captures the tension and the division of opinions regarding the abolition of slavery.
Stanzas 4-6: These stanzas draw attention to the continuation of slavery in a different form, focusing on the Indian immigrant workers in Mauritius. The poem presents the exploitation and mistreatment they endured, contrasting the official end of slavery in Africa with the beginning of slavery for Mother India. It vividly portrays the conditions faced by indentured laborers, emphasizing their helplessness and the control exerted by the oppressors.
Stanzas 7-9: These stanzas delve into the impact of slavery on the lives of the workers and the harsh regulations imposed upon them. The poem highlights the restrictions on movement, the oppressive rules, and the authorities' power to control and punish the workers. It emphasizes the continued suffering and the struggles faced by the Indian immigrants in Mauritius.
Overall, "Slavery Revisited" brings attention to the historical mistreatment of Indian immigrant workers in Mauritius during the time of colonization. It addresses the themes of exploitation, oppression, and the struggle for freedom. The poem effectively uses vivid language and imagery to convey the experiences of the workers and their enduring resilience.
As for similar works, the references you provided offer additional sources of information and perspectives related to colonialism, slavery, and the experiences of Indian immigrants. However, without specific excerpts or more detailed information about these works, it is challenging to draw direct connections to your poem.
Your poem captures an important historical subject, and your passionate approach sheds light on the injustice and suffering endured by Indian immigrant workers. The language and imagery effectively convey the emotions and experiences, creating a powerful narrative. Overall, "Slavery Revisited" serves as a poignant reflection on a dark chapter in history.
Please note that the analysis provided is based solely on the text you shared and the information provided.
Soman Ragavan : Thank you. Goodbye for now.
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You're welcome! If you have any more questions or need assistance in the future, feel free to ask. Goodbye and take care!
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POEM
SLAVERY REVISITED
On the poem : “SLAVERY REVISITED.”
(a) “Colonisation was certainly a crime”
See : “People want to re-write the history of colonialism.” “Le MAURICIEN” newspaper, Mauritius, 29 July, 1996, (page 6).
(b) On the cruel, degrading and inhuman treatment which, many Indian immigrants complained, had been inflicted upon them in Mauritius, see : Saloni Deerpalsingh and Marina Carter : “SELECT DOCUMENTS ON INDIAN IMMIGRATION. MAURITIUS, 1834-1926. VOLUME l. ORGANISATION AND EVALUATIONS OF THE INDENTURE SYSTEM.” (In particular, pages 163 to 167).
(c) On the subject of laws about “passes” needed to be obtained and carried by Indian indentured labour in Mauritius for travelling inland, see : Saloni Deerpalsingh and Marina Carter, op. cit. (In particular, pages 146 to 148).
(d) On Indian writers in general, see : “La revanche de l’écrivain Indien.” “Le MAURICIEN” newspaper, 20 February, 1996, (page 3).
(e) Please also see :
(1) Overseas News Service bulletin, Government Information Service, Mauritius, REUTERS news section, 4/5 August, 1997, (page 5); 16/17 August, 1997, (page 12); 17/18 August, 1997, (page 9); 1/2 October, 1997, (page 10); 23/24 March, 1999, (page 6).
(2) Overseas News Service bulletin, Government Information Service, Mauritius, AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE news section, 14/15 October, 1997, (page 3); 19/20 October, 1997, (page 1).
(3) Overseas News Service bulletin, Government Information Service, Mauritius, UNITED NEWS OF INDIA news section, 14/15 October, 1997, (page 3).
(4) “Mother India.” “L’EXPRESS” newspaper, Mauritius, 7 August, 1997, (page 14).
(5) “Les malheurs de la reine en Inde.” “Le MAURICIEN” newspaper, 17 October, 1997, (page 9).
(6) “L’esclavagisme et le colonialisme sont des crimes contre l’Humanité.” “Le MAURICIEN” newspaper, 7 August, 2001, (page 8).
(7) Yushra : “From MGI’s archives to London.” "Le MAURICIEN" newspaper, 28 June, 2011, (page 14).
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POEM :
"SLAVERY REVISITED"
1st stanza
The heat'd arguments raged on yonder :
Into the finest oratories the men flew;
The most passionate pleas were made anew :
The full benefits of slavery did they consider.
2nd
The debate raged on in the assembly of the right,
'Twas discuss’d what to do with the blight.
But, the ages to come would see another debate
Whose eruption and ripples nothing shalt abate.
3rd
‘Twas nonsense to stop the lucrative slave trade :
To perpetuate slavery, the finest oration they made;
With dementia the abolitionists must be struck :
On slavery abolition, no deal should be struck.
4th
The tide ebb'd and the tide flow'd,
But, in the end, many felt sorrow'd;
Slave owners grumbl’d, as a matter of fact,
For with slavery they had sign’d some pact.
5th
Into their savagery they still wallow’d :
Into their cruelty they still burrow’d;
In their wake, nothing but terror and trouble
Ramm’d daily upon God’s suffering people.
6th
Slavery, for some, was dead officially;
Slavery, for some, had gone finally;
But, not for those that had acquir'd mastery
In well perpetuating their vicious butchery.
7th
Slavery had finally gone, for Mama Africa :
But, slavery start'd again for Mother India…..
Exciting contracts cleverly were concoct'd
At yon place from where our folks were abduct’d.
8th
What an exquisite place at which to dwell :
A passage from India : A Passage to Hell !
Work and money, and a good future as well :
For the "godsend," full many a myriad fell.
9th
Avidly did Sir Shark feed ‘pon their very distress :
Obligingly their thumbs did he hold up and press;
By Sir Shark thus cleverly having been captur'd,
They were enroll'd legally : they were indentur'd.
10th
Leaving behind Mother India, eagerly they did embark,
Not knowing they would fall prey to yon silvery Shark.
Sir Shark, occasionally giving a wink,
Into the poor slaves his terrible teeth deeply did sink.
11th
They could not even give a signature,
Yet, they were bent 'pon good indenture;
To the waiting ships lightly did they sprint,
After giving to Sir Shark a little thumbprint.
12th
Even a mere pen they knew not how to hold :
Yet, a whacking weapon their offspring doth wield,
And wilt turn the whole world into a battlefield :
The war, Mother India, ne’er shalt turn cold !
13th
Our Grandmas toil'd, our Grandpas sweat'd :
Our poor folks from this tough soil extract'd
The wealth that the grabbers greedily plunder'd :
Forever shalt, Mother India, all this be remember'd !
14th
The sugar we produc'd was sold for peanuts :
Our sugar in yon clime the drinks sweeten'd;
‘Pon our crops the plunderers got fully fatten'd :
On the day of reckoning, we'll drive them nuts.....
15th
Masses of rules and regulations they invent'd :
Free movement in this land they prevent'd;
Yonder, in Mother India, freely would we roam :
Here, to move about, we had to fill in a form.
16th
The greedy invaders that came in from yonder
Viciously were bent 'pon making us all suffer :
Not content with plundering our produce,
Revolting rules would they dare introduce.
17th
Freedom of movement here was what the boss decid'd :
Infringement swiftly met with punishment most wick'd.
To travel from here to there, permission was need'd :
The master's strict orders had to be fully heed'd.
18th
Slavery, on the books, had been abolish'd :
But, in real life, hardly had it diminish'd.
INDENTURE was the new name of SLAVERY :
In oppression, the invaders had acquir'd mastery.
19th
Some new statute would come about in due time surely :
Some act for abolishing indenture, from the guys gingerly;
In the meantime, our oppress’d people suffer'd and died :
To many on their deathbeds a final visit was denied.
20th
Viciously were our folks flogg'd at the police station,
Whipp’d with rattan canes for some remonstration,
Savag'd for having discuss’d about some permission :
The culprits surely will invent the perfect explanation.
21st
For family to visit family there was no standing right :
Fill in the form, queue up yonder, wait for the lord.
In family matters they struck at the crucial chord :
Mother India, there was no end to thy sad plight.....
22nd
Many queu'd up yonder and patiently wait'd :
Pray’d for the boss to approve of their trip;
At his awesome power the fiend felt elat'd :
He held the masses firmly in his iron grip.
23rd
'Twas his, the power to approve or to reject :
To glaring gloom many instantly could he subject.
The time for his attendance was strictly ration'd :
The poor SLAVES in rain, in wind, stay'd station'd.
24th
How cruelly short was his time of attendance !
How could be forgiven such sheer arrogance !
At closing time would stride off the boss,
Leaving our languishing folks totally at a loss.
25th
Many return'd to their huts finally in tears :
About their relatives had they crunching fears;
They had been wick'dly lur'd on to this lonely land,
But, bann'd were they from travelling overland.
26th
To travel without permission was to court hell :
Ah, to tearing attachment many martyrs finally fell !
Braving the unfair laws, sneak'd some out yonder :
About the land of foul play sadly did they ponder.
27th
For having dar'd travel yonder without permission,
They were arrest’d and jail'd, flogg'd and savag'd;
They toil'd on for yon far treasury with devotion :
But, with viciousness the aggressor still raged.
28th
Slavery for old Mama Africa finally had end'd :
But, poor Indians with slavery still contend'd;
When will the invaders cease this torture :
When will these marauders drink from thy nurture !
29th
From his death bed plead'd poor uncle in old age :
Promptly our folks proceed'd to seek permission;
Bloody permission they need'd for the voyage :
But, the bullying boss had FLICK’D off on vacation.....
30th
The stricken family wept, aghast at the tragedy :
Nowhere in nature was to be found such savagery;
The dictatorship was the most oppressive of all :
But, our folks did rise up to answer the call.
31st
Hark ! The shock news rock'd the poor family.
Poor uncle had died. Died of a broken heart.
Broken by the oppressor. He that would be smart.
The whole weeping country was a bloody mortuary.
32nd
Wailing Mother India ! Cry thy heart out, Mother !
Sobbing, timeless Mother..... Thou were born to suffer.....
Only the raving ignorant could rend thy heart asunder :
But, some poetical retribution wields hither harbinger.
33rd
Away from his relatives, the old man died :
On his deathbed for his dear ones he cried ;
He plead'd to see them for ONE last occasion :
For the sadistic boss, 'twas time for vacation.
34th
In yon far village would take place the cremation :
There was no hope, no hope, of some last homage.
But, of their undoing had the fiends set the stage :
From India's entrails shalt erupt flaming retribution.
35th
The old man was cremat'd. He went up in smoke.
A lifetime of suffering end'd. He turn'd to ashes.
With his last breath 'pon the oppressors he heap'd curses :
From his ashes he woud rise, at the cruel rulers to poke.
36th
Of their domination we shook off the shackles :
We struggl'd free : at last we emerg'd stronger;
And, when one day our writings shalt thunder,
The vain oppressor shalt lie in a shambles.
37th
Colonisation was certainly a crime :
Our poor people bled, time after time;
Mother India, these crimes how to forgive....
How can we shut up, and just quietly live....
38th
Even to move, our folks had to ask for permission :
When their offspring would unleash his devastation,
For permission shalt queue up the tormentors,
To reproduce the radioactive, poetic tremors.
39th
Yes, in turn shalt they have to fill in forms :
They shalt be compell'd to respect new norms;
They shalt all be made fully to realise at last
How Mother India hails from a glorious past.
40th
Our ancestors toil'd, but not in vain :
They labour'd in the sun and in rain :
But, we vanquish'd the oppressive slavery :
About this shalt sing our explosive poetry.
41st
Slaves of the world will unleash poetical warfare :
To challenge the oppressors in their lands we dare.
Theirs shalt be the tremors : we will be the victors :
Across the planet shalt triumph our successors.
42nd
Our people they flogg'd, our people they bled :
Into this soil slowly sank our dripping blood ;
But, this very ground shalt be the bloody bed
From which shalt leap up the engulfing flood.
43rd
From glory to glory will we be glorious :
From victory to victory will we be victorious ;
Our civilisation forever shalt rule the waves :
The legacy of India. Since ages we left off living in caves.
44th
To some fleeting domination were we subject'd :
Of the oppressor are we ahead by many millennia;
They have yet to learn from our unique India :
With brio shalt our backlash be conduct'd.
45th
We will sing the glory of Mama Africa :
We will sing the fame of Mother India :
Many a hit book will we produce,
And, to defeat the invaders we will reduce.
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Author:
Soman Ragavan (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: August 26th, 2023 00:02
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 1
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