it is supposed to be symbolic to the slaves' continiuous suffering. Also fits in with the dance that is being acted out with the poem. Because the poem symbolises the journey of the slaves. The poem begins with a capital letter to symbolise the beginning of the journey and ends with a full stop to show the journey has ended. It is a way of using structure and form to reflect or shape meaning. becasue it shows the way the slaves are getting on the boat it shows the flow of the slaves
The absence of punctuation in Edward Kamau Brathwaite's poem "Limbo" is a deliberate stylistic choice to convey a sense of continuous movement and rhythm. It reflects the themes of oppression and struggle, creating a sense of fluidity and ambiguity that mirrors the experience of individuals in limbo, caught between different worlds and identities.
Is about Slavery
limbo
Edward Kamau Brathwaite wrote Limbo to describe the pain the West African slaves went through on the ships. How they were in darkness and also how no matter what they did they couldn't escape all they could here was their heart beating in the rhythm of limbo.
The theme of the poem Limbo is the Slaves and their journey on slave ship from Africa to America. It is believed that the limbo dance was created on slave ships which could be where the name came from.
The poem "Limbo" by Edward Kamau Brathwaite may be available for download on reputable poetry websites, such as Poetry Foundation, PoemHunter, or through online bookstores where his collections are sold. It's important to purchase and download from legal and authorized sources to respect the copyright of the author.
"Limbo" is a poem by Edward Kamau Brathwaite, a carribean poet in the 1930s about slavery and the boat journey of slaves being transfered from their native countries. Limbo is sprititually the place in between heaven and hell, a comfortable home. The slaves find comfort in the suspense, and paradoxically the continuos rythm of the game of limbo.
Edward Kamau Brathwaite was a Barbadian poet, historian, and cultural theorist who was known for his contribution to Caribbean literature and postcolonial studies. He was a key figure in the development of Creole identity and language in the Caribbean. Brathwaite's work often focused on themes of African diaspora, decolonization, and social justice.
It depends. It doesn't use specific formal language and is set-out like a song with the 'beat of the drum' creating a heartbeat. The poem uses lots of repetition which may suggest it to be informal, yet it has no slang or shortened words. I don't think this poem is trying to be formal or informal, it just wants to portray the location and actions of the slaves through a rhythmical structure.
Edward Kamau Brathwaite wrote the poem "Limbo" to shed light on the history of the transatlantic slave trade and the experiences of enslaved African people. Through this poem, he captures the emotional and physical struggle faced by those who were forcibly taken from their homes and brought to the Western Hemisphere.
The phrase "knees spread wide" in the poem "Limbo" by Kamau Brathwaite alludes to the inhumane treatment of slaves during the Middle Passage. It symbolizes their dehumanization and the physical constraints placed on their bodies during the voyage. The stance also represents vulnerability and powerlessness in the face of oppression.
Alliteration and the use of techniques
In the poem "Limbo" by Seamus Heaney, the imagery includes vivid descriptions of the bog landscape, such as "the dark, peat-stained water" and the "coiling roots of the sods" that evoke a sense of claustrophobia and entrapment. The poem also uses sensory details like the "cold glitter" of the frogs' eyes and the "gargled" sound they make, creating a haunting and eerie atmosphere.