Piano And Drums Analysis, Themes, Setting, Summary, Symbolism, Subject Matter

A critical analysis of the poem "Piano and Drums"  

INTRODUCTION

When at break of day at a riverside

I hear jungle drums telegraphing

the mystic rhythm, urgent, raw

like bleeding flesh, speaking of

primal youth and the beginning,

I see panther snarling about to leap

8 and the hunters crunched with spears poised;

And my blood ripples, turns torrent,

topple the years and at once I'm

in my mother's laps a suckling;

at once I'm walking simple

paths with no innovations,

rugged, fashioned with the naked

warmth of hurrying feet and groping hearts

16 in green leaves and wild flowers pulsing.

Then I hear a wailing piano

Solo speaking of complex ways

in tear-furrowed concerts

on far away lands

and new horizons with

coaxing diminuendo, counterpoint,

crescendo. But lost in the labyrinth of its complexities,

it ends in the middle

25 of a phrase at a dagger point.

And I lost in the morning mist

of an age at a riverside keep

wandering in the mystic rhythm

29 of jungle drums and the concerto.

   Subject Matters

The subject matters are the remembrance of the youthful days and the complex nature of the future to come.

The poet recollected his youthful days (the primal youth and the beginning) through the quietness of the early morning river and the echoing forest while "at the riverside" (his land of youth). He further mentioned in stanza 2, the effect such remembrance gave his mem ory of sitting “in my mother’s lap a suckling”, “walking simple paths with no innovations”, and groping in green leaves with wild flowers in naked hurrying feet.

The complexity of the future to come according to the stanza 3 of the poem was with “a wailing piano” which symbolised a painful sound “solo speaking of complex ways” (the unknown future) and such painful sound brought a silent cry which the poem referred to as “in tear-furrowed concerto” which lost the poet with labyrinth of it's complexities”

Adulthood in human life stands between the past and the present which in many occasions bring out the feeling Gabriel Okara felt in the poem "Piano And Drum". Conclusively, any adult, in any given time, can find himself or herself in the shoes of Gabriel Okara which makes the subject matters of the poem to be very much significant.

Analysis

 The poem is a post-colonial poem that focuses on the contrast between two cultures (African and western culture). The poet puts the culture side by side to emphasize the comparison between the two cultures.

The poem broadly talks about the experience that Africans had with colonialization and the aftermath of colonialization on the African continent. The poem is strongly built around symbolism and metaphor. The poet uses the "piano" to symbolize the western culture, and the drums to symbolize the African culture.

From the lines of the poem, you examine the poet's tone and mood. The mood of the poem is sober and at the end of the poem, it becomes more indignant angry. From the poem, we can detect that the poet prefers the African culture that is simple and free from complexities, unlike the western culture that is embedded in sophistication that makes the black man end in confusion.

From the poem, we can see that the poet is cut up between two cultures, and that is where the confusion set in. Looking at the colonial era, the western culture was forcefully infused into the African culture, that Africans themselves could not separate the western life from their true heritage. At the point where the African man can't separate the western life from his own culture because sometimes he remembers his own culture and wishes he can go back to what used to be, but at the same time he is caught up in the western culture. "And I lost in the morning mist of an age at a riverside keep, wandering in the mystic rhythm of jungle drums and concerto". The poem is basically about the cultural clash and post-African literature.  

Summary

Piano and Drums is quite clearly a poem about the cultural dichotomy of traditional and Western cultures in post-colonial Africa, but the raw emotion of the poem makes it an expression of confusion that anyone tied to more than one culture (which is a lot of people in this day and age of globalisation) can relate to. Even failing that, the imagery of the poem is powerful enough to express his confusion – we can almost feel Okara’s indecision seeping through the page.

Okara’s metaphors are simple but fitting: the drums represent traditional African life, while the piano represents the Western world. What I love so much about the writing in this poem is how his reaction to each “instrument” is portrayed. Both the first stanza (drums) and the third stanza (piano) are arranged in a similar way. There are essentially three parts to each one. First, we hear the sound of the instrument. In the case of the drums, it has a “mystic rhythm” that is “urgent” and “raw”. As for the piano, it is said to be “wailing” and “a tear-furrowed concerto” is being played. We get an impression that while it is seductive, it is far more complex and multi-layered. Next, we find what the music “speaks of”. The drums speak of primal life. The piano, on the other hand, speaks of “complex ways” and of “far away lands and new horizons”. Each stanza closes with his base reaction to hearing each instrument. The drums induce memories and images of hunting in a primal lifestyle, and the simple life with natural beauty surrounding him that he can lead in that culture. The piano, while seductive, turns it to be too complicated for itself. The expression of those ideas only works on the level it does because of the way each line of the poem flows into the other. Although it appears simplistic, exposition is handled very well here, in a way that many authors of prose could learn from. As the poem begins, the drum beats recall in him the primal nature of traditional life as a hunter-gatherer. The placing of the word “telegraphing” here is interesting due to its difference from the rest of the diction in the stanza. It conveys to the reader a subtle feeling that Okara is no longer part of the beating of the drum; it is implied to be a kind of message – although it brings out raw and fresh emotion in him, it is telegraphed, not played in all its purity

As the hunters stand poised to take action, Okara’s memory shifts from a situation of primal aggression to memories of his childhood. He revels in remembrance of being in his “mother’s laps a suckling”. Here there are “no innovations”; paths are shaped by the pulse of life in all its simplicity and glory.

However, his love of the drumming is not strong enough to prevent his distraction. In a mere moment, his focus is on the “wailing piano / solo”. The complexity of the piano is seductive; the “far away lands” and “new horizons” present a counterpoint to the simplicity 

Line to Line Analysis

STANZA ONE

In this stanza, the poetic persona speaks of the sound of the jungle drum. This sound of drum he feels is mystical, that is, there are so many supernatural things that comes with it. The sound of the drum to him, creates agility, strength and quickness of action. This can be seen from lines 3 to 4 as he runs into imagination to the primordial time picturing what this sound would do to the jungle residents:

“… Speaking of

Primal youth and the beginning

I see the panther ready to pounce

The leopard snarling about to leap

And the hunters crouch with spears poised”

All is action and natural. The poetic persona with a straight use of imagery and comprehensible words draws the readers’ attention to the fact that everything about this sound is in their natural states using words like, “riverside, jungle, raw, fresh,” names of animal in the jungle – natural habitat, and the last line of the stanza speaking of a hunter with spear ready to strike and hunt.

Everything about this stanza depicts the freshness of nature and life as of the old.

 

STANZA TWO

Once again, the poetic persona remembers of years back when he was still an infant in his mother’s laps suckling her breast (lines 9 to 11). Suddenly, he is walking the paths of the village with no new ideas of a way of life different from the one he is born into:

“At once I’m walking simple

Paths with no innovations,

Rugged, fashioned with the naked

Warmth of hurrying feet and groping hearts

In green leaves and wild flowers pulsing.”

STANZA THREE

Then, here in stanza three, reality changed as the poetic persona came in contact with a different sound from a faraway land:

“Then I hear a wailing piano

Solo speaking of complex ways in

Tear-furrowed concerto;

Of far-away lands”

The change in the sound came with a different instrument other than African native drum, and it also produces a sound that is different with so many musical technicalitieswhich the poetic persona expresses with musical dictions in words like, “concerto, diminuendo, crescendo.” He deploys them to emphasize the difficulty in understanding this new sound

“… but lost in the labyrinth

Of its complexities…”

Consequently, in the last four lines, the poetic persona laments on the level of confusion the new sound brings when it mixes with the drums:

“And I lost in the morning mist

Of an age at a riverside keep

Wandering in the mystic rhythm

Of jungle drums and the concerto”

piano and the drumsOn a general note, the poet discusses the confusion that is created when western culture mixes with African culture. Any attempt to unify the two results to confusion and disorder. Therefore, one is keenly advised to abhor such style of life. If you want to be African, be it, otherwise, live like the white man.

The poetic persona is not against choosing any of the cultures, but don’t mix them together. Indirectly, he warns us against becoming whiter than the white themselves or more civilized than civilization.

What are the themes of piano and drums?

THEMES OF THE POEM, PIANO AND THE DRUMS 

1. Nature

The Theme of Nature

  In stanza one, the way the poetic persona expresses the details of the jungle drum depicts his appreciation of the normal natural environment of things.  

2. Childhood Reminiscence and its Effect 

Theme Analysis

Since the poem is about the poet's experience with two different cultures or lifestyles, the poet used the experience of his village background to depict African culture which he grew up with, while comparing it to his present civilized way of living. The poem speaker was reminded of his/her "primal youth and the beginning" through the quietness of the early to morning river and the echoing forest. While at the riverside, the poem speaker could "hear jungle drums telegraphing/the mystic rhythm..." (Line 2 & 3) and other things like panther, leopard, hunters crouching

with poised spears, etc added to his/her memory.

The poem speaker revealed in stanza 2, the effect such reminiscence brought to his/her memory of sitting "in my mother's lap a suckling", "walking simple paths with no innovations", and groping in green leaves with wild flowers in naked hurrying feet. 

3. The Theme of Culture / Conflict 

Theme Analysis

Culture in Piano and Drums by Gabriel Okara In the poem “Piano and Drums” the poet Gabriel Okara depicts and contrasts two different cultures through symbolism of pianos and drums. The Poem is divided into four stanzas. The first two stanzas represent the “drum” culture and the second two stanzas show the “piano” culture. The description of the drums is in two stanzas, but is one sentence long. The first line of the first stanza: ‘When at break of day at a riverside’ Uses trochees to emphasize the deliberate broken rhythm. The stanza has savage words, “bleeding flesh,” “urgent raw,” “leopard snarling,” “spears poised,” to show that this is a primitive culture, one which has dependency on the environment, as is represented by the “hunters crouch with spears poised.” The environment in this culture is physically dangerous, surrounded by wild animals. Drums here are a way of communication, and “jungle drums telegraphing the mystic rhythm, urgent, raw…” shows the way of life in this culture. This is life which is simple, near the beginnings of man. The stanza ... ... middle of paper ... ...with one another, with Drums illustrating primitive behaviour, and a savage, dangerous culture. The connotations of the piano are complex and technical. The piano uses significantly different word sounds, showing that it is learnt, westernized and intricate compared to the drums which is instinctive and naturally acquired, and simple. The poem uses no set rhyme pattern which suits the poem as it has an undecided effect, emphasizing the confusion of the persona over his future. The Themes in Piano and Drums 

4. The Theme of Innocence 

Theme Analysis

The theme of innocence in the poem is explored in the poem is explored in the depiction of african culture, from the very first line of the poem where we are told that the events take place "at break of day", the idea of innocence is already implied. This is because the day is fresh and uncontaminated by other activities or sounds. The sound heard from the jungle drums are therefore pure and not corrupt, the poem also invokes the idea of innocence. The Themes in Piano and Drums 

5. Dilemma 

Theme Analysis

The poem speaker concluded that he found himself/herself in dilemma "wandering in the mystic rhythm/of jungle drums and the concerto."(line 28 & 29) because he didn't know which culture to totally embrace. He preferred the simple rural life but it was also impossible to let go of the civilisation he had got unto despite it was complex and confusing.

6. No place like home 

Theme Analysis

 Although, this theme cannot be identified on a surface level in the poem, but, when the poetic persona laments over the confusion that emanates from the contact of the two instruments: piano and drum (African lifestyle and western lifestyle), he shows how comfortable one can be at home with the things and way of life that he is familiar with. There was no confuse when it was all African and their drums until civilization came.

7. Living a Double Standard Lifestyle

 By emphasizing the confusion that comes out from the marriage of the piano and drum sounds, the poetic persona tells us that living two contracting lives can only breed confusion and complexities.

8.Acculturation

 The notion of acculturation is brought into the poem with the contact of the piano and the drums. Acculturation is when two distinct cultures meet and start to adopt and absorb each other’s norms. 

Language and Style

1. Use of contrast

 Both thematically and structurally, the poem makes use of contrast. The main idea in the poem is developed around two contrasting musical instruments. These are the jungle drums, associated with Africa, and the piano, which is identified with Europe. They are used symbolically to represent the different cultures of people from these geographical entities. The one is simple and natural while the other is sophisticated but complicated. The one is rugged but innocent while the other seems refined but worldly-wise. We are told that one is "wailing" while the other is associated with "pulsing." Whereas one induces memories and images of natural beauty, the other speaks of "complex ways" and "far away lands." In short, while one is presented with a sense of approval, the other is portrayed with some disapproval. The jungle drums represent the ancient primitive ways while the piano represents the modern ways. Speaking structurally, stanza one contrasts with stanza three, as the former dwells on the jungle drums while the latter focuses on the piano. Also, two different stanzas, one and two, are devoted to the drums while only the third stanza is devoted to the piano. This, in a way, betrays the poet's greater interest in the drums. 

Symbolism 

What do piano and drums symbolize?

The poem employ  symbolism to drive its message. The sources of the conflict explored in the poem I an represented symbolically by piano and drum*, with the format representing European or Women  culture while the latter represents African culture. With this symbolic implication the depiction of  the piano as “solo-speaking”, “tear-furrowed” and full of “complexities” are intended 1st show that European culture is individualistic, melancholic and difficult to live for non-    European. On the other hand, African culture is presented as simple, innocent and natural through phrases such as mystic  rhythm”, “raw”, “simple paths with no innovations”, “naked warmth”, “green leaves”, 'groping hand and so on. 

3. Personification

The piano and the drums, in addition to their symbolic status, are also personified in the poem. f he drams are not only said to telegraph or send their message electronically, they also speak of the past sod At beginning. The piano also speaks of “complex ways” and is described as wailing. These presentation* ascribe human capacities to these objects, which enable the reader to connect better with the message channelled through them.

4. Use of present participle

An easily noticeable aspect of style in the poem is the use of present participle. The poem is replete with examples, such as “telegraphing”, “speaking”, “snarling”, “suckling “walking”, “pulsing” and “wandering.” We also have “bleeding”, “hurrying”, “groping”, “wailing” and “coaxing.” While fig former list illustrates actions in progress, which point to the continuity and relevance of African culture, as represented by the drums, the latter examples actually perform modifier functions.

5. Imagery

Images of different kinds are employed in the poem. Rustic imagery is used in the depiction of (he poem’s spatial setting. The idea of inhabited jungle suggests a forest like location or village where people go to the stream early in the morning to secure access to clean water. The idea of “simple paths” which is rugged from the regular treading of bare foot, further evokes country life realities. Similarly, we have fauna (animals) and flora (plants) imagery evoked with references to panther and leopard w the wild as well as “wild flowers” and “green leaves.” Images evoked here clearly say more about the setting of the poem as well as the abundant natural riches of the environment from where the drum sounds come. Audio imagery is also found amply in the poem as different musical tones and note* depict the nature and functioning of the piano. Through such words as “concerto”, “diminuendo”, “counterpoint” and “crescendo”, the ear is made to perceive the music from the piano. The theme of innocence in the poem is partly built around the image of a baby in his mother’s lap suckling and that of a child walking “simple paths.” The aural perception of the wailing piano is another strong imagery, one which inscribes a tone of disapproval from the poet.

6. Alliteration

Written in free verse, rhyme is clearly scarce in the poem. However, the rhythm in it is quite palpable. This is partly made possible through the sound device called alliteration, which is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in close quarters in poetry. Some examples in the poem art found in the expressions: “panther ready to pounce” (/. 6), “leopard snarling about to leap” (/. 7), “And my blood ripples, turns

7. Simile

The singular use of direct comparison in the poem occur* within the first five line* where the “jungle drums" are said to be releasing “mystic rhythm” urgently and raw "like bleeding flesh” (I. 4), as it speaks of the innocent past .  The comparison is meant to corroborate and expatiate on the metaphor* of “urgent" and “raw” in the preceding line. A bleeding flesh, especially one which results from a fresh wound, gushes out blood involuntarily and copiously.

8. Diction

The words used by the poet are carefully chosen to convey his message and feeling*, from a casual reading of the poem, it is clear that the poet-speaker is familiar with the two culture* depicted in the work. As he talks of jungle drums, animal* and hunters, the indices of so-called primitive cultures, the idea of telegraphing and the register of European/Western music indicate a knowledge of the ‘civilized culture'. A word like releasing instead of‘telegraphing’ for example, is unlikely to generate this impression. The poet’s choice of words also illustrates his attitude for instance, the use of the wold ‘mystic’ to describe the rhythm of the jungle drums engenders mystery but positive wonder, which betrays the poet’s preference for the drums and the culture they represent. By* the same token, using the word ‘wailing’ to describe the piano and, by implication, western culture, shows his disapproving attitude towards it. To wail is to let out an intense and loud cry, usually as a consequence of pain or grief. The compound word “tear- furrowed” also suggests the same attitude from the poet. If furrow means a deep hollow, then the poet is describing the concerto as one which is filled with sadness. The phrase “at a dagger point” also has a special effect for it suggests a pointed edge. With the music from the piano ending abruptly at a point like this, the poet’s discomfort or confusion with it is further emphasized. 

 Structure of The Poem

The poem consists of twenty-nine lines, which are arranged into four unequal stanzas. The first stanza comprises eight lines, the second also eight lines, the third nine lines while the last comprises four lines. The first and second stanzas describe the drums and the effects of their beats on the poet-speaker in that order, while the third stanza describes the piano. The last stanza forms the poet’s conclusion. The first and the third stanzas, focusing separately on the two musical instruments, are contrasting in preoccupation but similar in structure. While the first describes the drums in total approving terms, the third describes the piano with some disapproval. However, both explore three things in common, which include the sound of the instrument, what the instrument says and the poet’s reaction to the instrument. With respect to the drum, the sound is said to be “mystic”, “urgent” and “raw”; it speaks of “primal youth and the beginning”; and, it induces old but fond memories. As for the piano, the sound is said to be “wailing” and “tear-furrowed”; it speaks of complex ways and distant lands; and, it is seductive but complicated. The last stanza summarises the poet’s dilemma.

About the Poet  

Gabriel-Okara

Gabriel Okara, in full Gabriel Imomotimi Gbaingbain Okara, (born April 21, 1921, Bumodi, Nigeria—died March 25, 2019, Yenagoa, Nigeria), Nigerian poet and novelist whose verse had been translated into several languages by the early 1960s.

A largely self-educated man, Okara became a bookbinder after leaving school and soon began writing plays and features for radio. In 1953 his poem “The Call of the River Nun” won an award at the Nigerian Festival of Arts. Some of his poems were published in the influential periodical Black Orpheus, and by 1960 he was recognized as an accomplished literary craftsman.

Okara’s poetry is based on a series of contrasts in which symbols are neatly balanced against each other. The need to reconcile the extremes of experience (life and death are common themes) preoccupies his verse, and a typical poem has a circular movement from everyday reality to a moment of joy and back to reality again. universal figure, and the ephemeral “it” that he is searching for could represent any number of transcendent moral values. Okara’s skilled portrayal of the inner tensions of his hero distinguished him from many other Nigerian novelists

Likely Questions

• What do piano and drums symbolize?
• Why the poem is entitled the piano and the drums?
• What are the themes of piano and drums?
• What type of poem is piano and drums?
• What is the central theme of piano and drums?