Detailed Analysis of the Desert Rivers by Lade Wosornu
This piece contains a detailed analysis of the Desert Rivers poem. This is provides a guide to students studying literature.
Take your time as you read through this and I can assure your understanding of the poem will be solidified.
Giving a detailed analysis of the Desert Rivers
It is marvelous that water bodies lie beneath the surface of the earth, and this should not be taken for granted but should be counted as a natural resource and a blessing.
Theme
1. If a dry desert ground can entomb water, then there is hope in every seemingly hopeless situation.
2. The value of a person may be hidden from other people (as desert river may be hidden from the sky and buried under rock), but that value is very much present.
3. Many people may be hurting in the larger society that we live in, but their plight may be unknown, so they would be suffering silently. If you cannot see our tears/1t does not mean we do not cry (last line).
The analysis of the main issues raised by the poem
The poem describes the presence of water bodies beneath the surface of the earth, and encourages readers to see this as a blessing and natural resource that should not be taken for granted. The poem also raises themes of hope, the hidden value of individuals, and the suffering of those who may be hurting in society but whose plight is unknown.
The imagery of a dry desert ground entombing water is used to convey the idea that there is hope in even the most hopeless of situations, and that the value of a person may be hidden from others, but it is still present.
The last line of the poem highlights the idea that just because someone’s suffering may not be visible, it does not mean that it does not exist. Overall, the poem encourages readers to consider the hidden beauty and resources of the world around them, and to be mindful of the struggles of those around them, even if those struggles may not be immediately apparent.
Line by line analysis of the Desert Rivers
The first line of the poem, “Entombed from birth in earth,” suggests that there are hidden struggles and difficulties that exist beneath the surface, much like a river that is hidden underground. The use of the word “entombed” implies a sense of confinement and trapped, which could allude to the struggles and challenges that people often face in their daily lives.
The second line, “Waters mightier than Voltas,” compares the hidden struggles to powerful forces of nature, suggesting that they are not to be underestimated. The reference to the Voltas River, which is one of the largest in India, further emphasizes the strength and magnitude of these unseen struggles.
The third line, “Lie hid from glare of sun,” suggests that these struggles are often not visible to others, much like a river that is hidden underground. The use of the word “glare” implies that these struggles are hidden from the public eye and not easily seen.
The fourth line, “And winds that dry,” suggests that these struggles are often not acknowledged or recognized by others, much like the dry winds that do not affect the hidden river. The use of the word “dry” implies a lack of empathy or understanding from others.
The fifth line, “Roofed not by sky,” implies that these struggles are not always visible to the world and may be hidden in the depths of one’s own mind, much like a river that is hidden underground and not visible to the sky.
The sixth line, “But rocks that do not always hold,” suggests that the struggles may be difficult to overcome and may require perseverance, much like the rocks that do not always hold the river back. The use of the word “hold” implies that the struggles may be challenging to overcome.
The seventh line, “These run their unwitnessed course,” suggests that these struggles are often not recognized or acknowledged by others, much like the hidden river that runs its course without being seen.
The eighth line, “To their unwitnessed end,” implies that these struggles may go unnoticed or unrecognized, much like the hidden river that reaches its end without being seen.
The ninth line, “Without a sound,” suggests that these struggles may not be obvious or audible, much like the hidden river that flows without making a sound.
The tenth line, “They gush into bowels of seas,” suggests that these struggles may lead to a sense of being overwhelmed or consumed, much like a river that flows into the depths of the sea.
The final line, “If you cannot see our tears, it does not mean we do not cry,” implies that just because someone’s struggles may not be visible or acknowledged, it does not mean that they are not experiencing them. This line relates to the reality of life struggles as many people often hide their struggles and difficulties, but that does not mean they do not exist.
Detailed Analysis of the Scribbler’s Dream by Lawrence Darmani
Disclaimer
Note that these are just for educational purpose and we do not have ownership of the poem. Credit goes to Lawrence Darmani for putting such stories into booklets which are currently being used by the Basic Schools in Ghana.
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