Things Fall Apart

 

So You Think I’m a Mule By Jackie Kay (1988)

 

‘Where do you come from?’
‘I’m from Glasgow.’
‘Glasgow?’
‘Uh huh, Glasgow.’
The white face hesitates
the eyebrows raise
the mouth opens
then snaps shut
incredulous.

 

 

 

Things Fall Apart

By Jackie Kay (2005)

 

Listen to Jackie Kay reading her poem: https://poetryarchive.org/poem/things-fall-apart/

 

What is immediately interesting is that this poem convers both the idea of a personal and a universal journey.

 

The idea of a personal journey: having traveled from Scotland to Nigeria, an orphan meets her father, briefly and for the first time.

 

The idea of a universal experience: comparing oneself to a parent, and so identifying the differences but also the similarities.


 

This poem also explores a number of interesting themes.

 

Themes: post-colonial literature, masks, family, adoption, religion, identity and crossroads…

 

Masks: We have much to learn about Nigeria and masks, but a starting point is to realise that many Nigerian tribes use masks. The Ibgo tribe, for example uses “ thousands of masks, which incarnate unspecified spirits of the dead, forming a vast community of souls. The outstanding characteristic of the many Igbo masks is that they are painted chalk white, the color of the spirit” (https://wonderswonders.com/shop/igbo-mask-from-nigeria-africa)

 

Identity: “I think I will always be interested in identity, how fluid it is, how people can invent themselves, how it can never be fixed or frozen.” (Astley, 1999, p. 73)

 

Cultural, social, sexual crossroads: Scotland/ Nigeria, fiction/reality, birth parents/adoptive parents, female/lesbian…


 

Okay, but how can we read the poem?

A good way to come to a poem is by asking questions…

 

First, what can you find out about:

a)    The expression “Things Fall Apart”?

b)    ChinuaAchebe?

c)    WoleSoyinka?

d)    Kano Camels?

e)    Abuja, the capital of Nigeria?

f)     Nigerian tribes /ethnic groups?

g)    The colonization of Nigeria?

 

Second, what poetic techniques can you find in the poem:

a)    How and when does the poet use colour and reference to body parts to build her scene?

b)    How many stanzas and do they rhyme? What is the effect of these choices?

c)    How does the poet use punctuation to create multiple voices and moments of insight?

d)    How does the poet use personification and imagery to intensify her desriptions?

e)    How does the poet use the idea of past/present, before/after/now, and less vs more.

 

Third, how do you think the poet felt when her father said the following lines to her:

“You are my past sin, let us deliberate on new birth.”

 

Finally, and to conclude this first analysis of a Jackie Kay poem, what do you think

the poet realised her adoptive father and herself during the writing of this

poem?

 

NPG x131833; Jackie Kay - Portrait - National Portrait Gallery

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