Cockraches - Poem Analysis

They are reviled and rejected and difficult to kill (resilient). Some imply that they represent Kenya’s indigenous tribes. Thus, the poem becomes a moving and compelling examination of imperialism. Cockroaches As the poem evolves, ideas of the cockroaches are subverted – the speaker almost looks through the cockroach’s POV Metaphor for the colonized people (Negative View) Displays the disruptive effect of the arrival of the British colonists. creates tension because something is about to be revealed. The speaker is decisive and Cockroaches certain of what is to be discovered. Turn on the light Onomatopoeia → moving chaotically/ confused. Emphasis the pace of the verse and evoke the frantic, and helter-skelter hurried scurrying of the insects as they try to find shelter. they scuttle SIBILANCE: sound of insects scurrying on the floor (Lit). sound of native people being scared (Fig). to their dark shelters. Darkness provides safety for the roaches and emphasizes that the colonizer sees the people as uneducated- they’re left in the dark. Commanding tone Creates a sense of segregation Cut them off from their hideouts block their many approaches and see cockroaches in hopeless flurry and helpless worry. Prevent them from reaching their hideouts by cutting them and their approaches off to flee to safety. Rhyme: emphasizes the pace of verse and the frantic hurry of the roaches as they flee. Half Rhyme: speeds up the pace- adds to the feeling of chaos. Gives a sense of vulnerability/ impatience. Full stop creates a pause, allowing imagery and meaning to be processed. But decidedConjunction+ Volta: shift in perspective creates tension. who ordained the crash-fall To suddenly fall, land, or be hit with destructive force. of sandals Perspective from the eyes of the roach// acknowledge of the roach on these Timid= reason for them fleeing or scurrying. Creates a longer pause insisting the reader considers the question. Creates an understandable/ shy creatures? questionable tone Shift in reasoning. Element of reflection – speaker contemplates why roaches are killed in such a harsh manner. Or is it their love of darkness Evil/naughty: seen as being primal. holds them suspect? “Is it their own fault they’re colonised.” STRUCTURE: (speeds up pace irregularly- similar to roaches move) • • • • Free-verse= no formal rhyme scheme (little half rhyme) 4 stanzas = vary in length Little punctuation (enjambment)- supports fast, urgent pace of poem Creates a frenetic movement Commanding words. Imperative verb – shows the speaker is the aggressor and the roaches are the victims of these harsh words. Can be intertext with The Tempest