Thinking Activity : Vulture by Chinua Achebe 

Chinua Achebe: A Brief Note

Chinua Achebe (1930–2013) was a renowned Nigerian novelist, poet, professor, and critic, widely regarded as the father of modern African literature. Born in Ogidi, Nigeria, he wrote primarily in English and explored the clash between traditional African culture and Western colonialism. His groundbreaking novel Things Fall Apart (1958) is considered a classic of world literature and has been translated into more than 50 languages.

Achebe’s works often focus on themes such as identity, cultural conflict, colonial oppression, and the role of language in shaping history and narrative. Through a critical lens, he challenged colonial representations of Africa and sought to reclaim African voices in literature. Alongside his fiction, Achebe wrote influential essays, including “An Image of Africa,” where he critiqued Joseph Conrad's portrayal of Africans in Heart of Darkness.

As a committed intellectual and political thinker, Achebe also contributed to postcolonial theory and literature. He was a strong advocate for African authors writing their own stories, saying, “Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”

Here are few question based on the poem by Chinua Achebe : 

1. What is the connection between the Nazis and vultures? Illustrate your answer with the help of Chinua Achebe’s "Vultures".

Chinua Achebe's poem "Vultures" draws a poignant parallel between the scavenging birds and the human capacity for both cruelty and tenderness, exemplified by the Nazi commandant of Belsen concentration camp. The poem opens with a depiction of vultures nestled affectionately after feasting on a corpse, highlighting the coexistence of love and brutality in nature. Achebe then transitions to the human realm, portraying the Belsen commandant who, after orchestrating atrocities, stops to buy sweets for his child, illustrating a similar duality in human nature.

The comparison suggests that, like vultures who thrive on death yet exhibit affection towards their mates, humans too can embody love and evil simultaneously. The commandant's tender act towards his child starkly contrasts with his horrific deeds, emphasizing this paradox. As noted in an analysis, "Achebe makes readers see that even this horrible man has a soft side... It is almost as if his child represents his 'good side' and the 'vultures' represent his 'bad side'" ("Vultures by Chinua Achebe – Poem Analysis").

Critics have interpreted this duality as a commentary on the complexity of human morality. The poem challenges the notion of absolute evil by revealing glimpses of tenderness in those who commit heinous acts. This unsettling juxtaposition forces readers to confront the uncomfortable reality that love and cruelty can reside within the same individual.

2. What is the significance of the title “Live Burial”?

Wole Soyinka's poem "Live Burial" metaphorically explores themes of oppression, silencing, and the psychological torment experienced under authoritarian regimes. The title itself evokes a harrowing image of being buried alive, symbolizing the suffocating suppression of freedom and expression.

In the poem, Soyinka reflects on his own imprisonment, where he was subjected to solitary confinement. The "live burial" becomes a powerful metaphor for the isolation and erasure imposed upon dissenting voices. As analyzed in an article, Soyinka uses vivid imagery to depict the dehumanizing experience of imprisonment, highlighting the cruelty of those in power ("Soyinka's 'Live Burial'").

Critics have noted that the poem serves as both a personal lament and a universal commentary on the plight of the oppressed. The act of being buried alive symbolizes not only physical confinement but also the attempt to obliterate one's identity and agency. Through this harrowing imagery, Soyinka underscores the resilience of the human spirit in the face of systemic subjugation.

Original Lines from "Live Burial":

"Lest it rust / We kindly borrowed his poetic license."

These lines exemplify the bitter irony and critique of censorship, illustrating how oppressive regimes co-opt and suppress creative expression under the guise of preservation.

Works Cited:

"Vultures by Chinua Achebe – Poem Analysis." Poem Analysis, https://poemanalysis.com/chinua-achebe/vultures/.

"Soyinka's 'Live Burial'." Postcolonial Web, https://www.postcolonialweb.org/soyinka/burial1.html.