Vultures
In the greyness
and drizzle of one despondent
dawn unstirred by harbingers
of sunbreak a vulture
perching high on broken
bones of a dead tree
nestled close to his
mate his smooth
bashed-in head, a pebble
on a stem rooted in
a dump of gross
feathers, inclined affectionately
to hers. Yesterday they picked
the eyes of a swollen
corpse in a water-logged
trench and ate the
things in its bowel. Full
gorged they chose their roost
keeping the hollowed remnant
in easy range of cold
telescopic eyes…Strange
indeed how love in other
ways so particular
will pick a corner
in that charnel-house
tidy it and coil up there, perhaps
even fall asleep – her face
turned to the wall!…Thus the Commandant at Belsen
Camp going home for
the day with fumes of
human roast clinging
rebelliously to his hairy
nostrils will stop
at the wayside sweet-shop
and pick up a chocolate
for his tender offspring
waiting at home for Daddy’s
return…Praise bounteous
providence if you will
that grants even an ogre
a tiny glow-worm
tenderness encapsulated
in icy caverns of a cruel
heart or else despair
for in the very germ
of that kindred love is
lodged the perpetuity
of evil.
Summary of “Vultures”
- Introduction to the Poem: “Vultures” by Chinua Achebe, first published in his 1971 collection Collected Poems, is a powerful and unsettling poem exploring the duality of nature—the coexistence of tenderness and brutality. It moves beyond a simple observation of vultures feeding to a profound commentary on colonialism, human nature, and the enduring presence of evil.
- Central Idea: The poem juxtaposes the natural, albeit gruesome, behavior of vultures with the horrific actions of the Commandant at Belsen camp. Achebe skillfully draws a parallel between these seemingly disparate subjects, suggesting that even within those capable of immense cruelty, a capacity for affection exists. This doesn’t excuse the evil, but rather highlights its complex and disturbing nature.
- Key Themes: The core themes woven throughout “Vultures” are predation, the complex nature of love and evil, and a subtle critique of colonial power structures. Achebe doesn’t offer easy answers, instead presenting a disturbing ambiguity that forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about humanity.
In-Depth Analysis of “Vultures”
The Opening Stanza: Setting the Scene
The poem begins with a vivid, almost bleak, description of the setting. “In the greyness / and drizzle of one despondent / dawn…” immediately establishes a somber mood. The imagery of a “despondent dawn” suggests not merely a time of day, but a state of decay and hopelessness. The vultures “perching high on broken / bones of a dead tree” is a symbolic representation of death and destruction. The detailed description of the vultures – “his smooth / bashed-in head, a pebble / on a stem” – is unflinching and forces the reader to confront the reality of their existence. This isn’t a romanticized view of nature, but a stark portrayal of survival. Note how the phrase “bashed-in head” is unsettling yet presented matter‑of‑factly, reflecting the brutal efficiency of nature.
The Contrast of Affection and Brutality
The second stanza introduces a jarring contrast. Despite their gruesome meal – “Yesterday they picked / the eyes of a swollen / corpse…and ate the / things in its bowel” – the vultures display tenderness towards each other. “Inclined affectionately / to hers” and the image of them “tidying” their corner in the “charnel‑house” is profoundly disturbing. This juxtaposition is central to the poem’s meaning. Achebe isn’t suggesting that the vultures are innocent, but that even creatures engaged in the act of feeding on death are capable of affection. This leads us to question the nature of love and its coexistence with evil.
The Commandant at Belsen: A Human Parallel
The third stanza shifts focus to the Commandant at Belsen camp. The imagery here is deliberately shocking. “With fumes of / human roast clinging / rebelliously to his hairy / nostrils” is a powerful and repulsive image. The use of “rebelliously” is interesting; it suggests that even the fumes of his actions cling to him, a constant reminder of his deeds. The Commandant’s act of buying chocolate for his child seems incongruous and deeply unsettling. This isn’t presented as a redeeming quality, but as another example of the disturbing coexistence of tenderness and cruelty within a single being. The line “waiting at home for Daddy’s / return” is particularly poignant, highlighting the normalcy of family life juxtaposed against the horror of the concentration camp.
The Concluding Stanza: A Paradoxical Plea
The final stanza presents a paradox. “Praise bounteous / providence if you will / that grants even an ogre / a tiny glow‑worm / tenderness encapsulated / in icy caverns of a cruel / heart.” This isn’t a genuine call for praise, but a chilling observation. Achebe suggests that even those capable of immense evil possess a glimmer of humanity, however small and hidden. However, this “tenderness” is “encapsulated / in icy caverns of a cruel / heart,” suggesting it is a fragile, isolated thing, unable to overcome the pervasive darkness. The concluding lines – “for in the very germ / of that kindred love is / lodged the perpetuity / of evil” – are particularly bleak. Achebe suggests that the potential for both good and evil is inherent in all living things, and that this duality ensures the continuation of suffering. This isn’t a hopeful conclusion, but a sobering acknowledgement of the complexities of human nature.
Literary and Poetic Devices in “Vultures”
- Imagery: Achebe uses vivid and often disturbing imagery throughout the poem, appealing to multiple senses. For example, “fumes of / human roast clinging / rebelliously to his hairy / nostrils” creates a visceral and unforgettable image.
- Metaphor: The vultures themselves serve as a metaphor for the predatory nature of colonialism and the darker aspects of human behavior.
- Juxtaposition: The poem relies heavily on juxtaposition, placing contrasting images and ideas side by side to create tension and highlight the poem’s central themes. The most prominent example is the juxtaposition of the vultures’ tenderness with their gruesome meal, and the Commandant’s cruelty with his affection for his child.
- Alliteration and Consonance: Subtle use of alliteration and consonance adds to the poem’s musicality and emphasizes certain phrases. Notice the repetition of “h” sounds in “hairy nostrils”.
- Free Verse: The poem is written in free verse, meaning it doesn’t adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or metrical pattern. This contributes to the poem’s natural, conversational tone and allows Achebe to focus on conveying meaning through imagery and juxtaposition.
- Enjambment: The use of enjambment (the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next) creates a sense of flow and momentum, drawing the reader deeper into the poem.
Quotes for Reflection
Praise bounteous
providence if you will
that grants even an ogre
a tiny glow-worm
tenderness encapsulated
in icy caverns of a cruel
heart.
“Vultures” is a challenging and unsettling poem that forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the duality of human nature and the enduring presence of evil. Achebe’s masterful use of imagery, juxtaposition, and free verse creates a powerful and thought-provoking work of art that continues to resonate with readers today.