In How Tagore Conveys The Changes Essay Example

wonderous nature.The stanza showcases the past continuous tense to portray Africa's ongoing progression towards civilization, highlighting its proactive efforts prior to European colonization. This emphasizes that Africa did not necessarily need to be conquered by Europe.

The language used in the poem serves to enhance the descriptions of Africa prior to its conquest. The phrase "learnt the arcane languages" implies that Africa's progress and development were hindered by Western colonialism, thus conveying the negative changes that have occurred. The poem also implies the destruction of nature through colonialism, making a reference to "The Creator" as an allusion to God, who is portrayed as witnessing the destruction of Africa. Additionally, there is a mention of the Hindu God Shiva, known for his destructive nature, which links the British Raj to Africa and suggests that they both suffered under Western imperialism. The phrase "dancing to the drumbeats of chaos" is deliberately chosen to depict colonialism as a disorderly force. The use of alliterative plosives in "dancing" and "drumbeats" creates a harsh and discordant sound, emphasizing the turmoil brought upon Africa by colonization. This choice of language also foreshadows the destructive nature of post-colonialism, as evidenced by Tagore's personification of the sea as "angry".

This demonstrates that the power of Africa growing independently is diminished by colonialism. The use of the word 'angry' implies that God, who created nature, disapproves of this conquest. The reference to "water, earth and sky" and "immense trees" further supports the idea that God's natural creations are being destroyed. These descriptions highlight the changes to the physical environment caused by the imposition of a new social system. Additionally, Africa is portrayed as the child of

Mother Asia. In line 6, the phrase "snatched you from the breast of Mother Asia, Africa-" emphasizes the calamity brought upon Africa by colonialism. The negative word choice of "snatched" suggests a forced separation between Africa and Asia. The parallel structure in 'you ridiculed horror ..

The text emphasizes Africa's triumph over traditional enemies and highlights the continent in a positive light. It also evokes a sense of sorrow for Africa succumbing to European 'contempt'. Tagore's portrayal of pre-colonial Africa shows that he condemns the conquest by Europe, as it robbed Africa of its natural ability to develop and be in control, resulting in ignorance and slow growth. The stanza two further illustrates the conquest of Africa and the changes it underwent. The choice of words such as "shadowy" creates a mysterious and sinister image of Africa. Tagore even uses anthropomorphism to describe the conquest by Europe: 'under your black veil..

The unknown aspect of your humanity signifies Africa's misunderstood 'otherness' by the invaders. They failed to recognize Africa's human potential. The phrase 'iron manacles' emphasizes the oppression from Western civilization, contrasting with the natural beauty described in stanza one. Conquering Africa leads to the diminishment of its natural beauty. The metaphor comparing the manacles to the claws of Africa's wild wolves highlights how the invaders are more predatory and animalistic, contradicting the traditions of its people. Moreover, the alliterative phrase 'wailed wordlessly' intensifies the anguished tone portrayed by the onomatopoeia 'wailed'. When combined with 'blood and tears' in line 31, it visualizes the violence and grief caused by imperialism. The metaphor of boots sticking 'gouts of stinking mud/Forever on your stained history' in lines 32 and

33 signifies the permanent mark of corruption left by imperialism on Africa's history. The changes Africa suffered under European conquest become clearer from the second stanza.

Tagore's choice of negative language in addressing the conquest illustrates the changes that have taken place. There is a noticeable contrast between the first and second stanzas, with the first being dynamic and the second ominous, ultimately highlighting the lasting impact of European colonization on African history. The third stanza reveals the most evident changes in post colonial Africa, exposing the hypocrisy of the conquering nations. By juxtaposing 'conquerors' with 'prayer', Tagore emphasizes the hypocrisy of worship in first world countries. Religion was imposed on native people by missionaries, so seeing the conquerors turn to religion undermines the comfort it brings to Africans. This creates an ironic image of prayer and portrays the conquest as tragic. The hypocrisy is further showcased in line 37, where the West's devotion is intensified by their constant worship 'morning and evening' in the name of a loving god. The 'poets'...

The text emphasizes the contrast between the beauty celebrated in the hymns and the tender care of mothers, with the brutality and inhumanity of colonization described as "iron manacles" and "naked inhumanity" in stanza two. This serves to highlight the hypocrisy of European colonization and accentuate the starkness of the changes imposed on Africa. In stanza three, symbols are employed to depict post-colonial Africa. The impending evening storm symbolizes catastrophe looming over the "West", while the ominous howls at dusk foreshadow the end of an era as animal savagery emerges from hidden lairs. This signifies the downfall of Western civilization and portrays Western colonialism in

a negative light, suggesting that it ultimately leads nowhere. Tagore's use of the word "constricted" further reinforces his disapproval of colonialism. The use of onomatopoeia with the word "howls" creates a sinister tone, and the heavy vowels evoke a sense of hunger in Africa.

Tagore prophesies a hostile future for civilization, hoping for forgiveness amidst the murderous insanity and the cessation of Western hypocrisy. The soft plosives "midst" and "murderous" chosen by Tagore leave the reader with a mystifying feeling towards the effects of post-colonization. Through the three-stanza structure, Tagore conveys the changes Africa underwent before and after colonization, expressing his belief that the imposition of Western civilization was murderous and went against the natural order. Tagore condemns the West with the symbol of a dying light in the final stanza, signifying his lack of support for Western colonialism. This is evident in his use of the phrase "despoiled Africa," highlighting how little has been left for the traditional inhabitants. By urging acknowledgement and pleading for forgiveness, Tagore powerfully suggests to the transgressors the consequences of their actions. He demonstrates that Europe's conquest is barbaric as it alters and destroys the potential for African cultures to develop at their own pace.