AFRICAN POETRY
Discuss the use of symbolism in Okara's Piano and Drums?
The poem is about the clash of cultures and the major symbols are the drums, on the one hand, and the piano on the other. Each represents the African and the Western culture respectively. The minor symbols are drawn from flora and fauna. The persona recalls the 'jungle drums telegraphing the mystic rhythm" to symbolise the simplicity, not only of rural life, but also of authentic African culture.
It is the sound of these drums that excites in hint nostalgic feelings of the good old days in the "mother's laps a suckling". The sound also evokes memories of the rustic village life of that time and age as captured by the pastoral image of the hunters crouching "with spears poised". The animal image of "the leopard snarling about to leap" and the floral image of "green leaves and wild flowers" evoke fear and beauty.
The sound of the drums also enables the persona to recall the simplicity of that era when "paths with no innovations" were "fashioned" with the "naked/warmth of hurrying feet". The language associated with this drum symbol has warmth, vivacity and vitality, which reveals the persona's bias towards African culture. The other major symbol is the piano — "the wailing piano" — which stands for the new complex and alien culture and its mechanical sophistication.
Phrases used to describe this are "tear-furrowed concerto", "coaxing diminuendo, counterpoint and crescendo".The language associated with this symbol of the piano is doeful e.g. wailing piano, and one the persona is unable to identify with. Nevertheless, the two symbols — the 'jungle drums" and the "wailing piano" —forge a new consciousness that the persona is unable to deal with. That is his labyrinth.
Points to note:
(1) Symbolism is representation of an abstract idea or thing by concrete objects. Piano and Drums are the key symbols.
(2) The images associated with the drums are evoking, idyllic/pastoral setting.
(3) The images associated with the piano invoking artificiality, sophistication and even sorrow.
(4) The poet's complex attitude towards both symbols.
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