Analysis of "It is the Constant Image of Your Face" by Dennis Brutus



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 About Dennis Brutus - Key Historical Facts

1. Born 1924, Dennis Brutus was a prolific South African writer and activist.

2. He opposed the apartheid regime and was known for his campaign to have South Africa banned from the 1964 Olympics.

3. Apartheid (a system of racial segregation) lasted from 1948 to 1994. 

4. According to the apartheid code, Brutus was classified as coloured.

5. Dennis Brutus was arrested several times for his anti-apartheid stance and later exiled to Britain.

6.  Later, he sought asylum in the United States.

7. During one of his times in prison, Nelson Mandela was in the cell beside him.

8.  His first collection of poems 'Sirens, Knuckles and Boots' was written while he was in prison.

9. Dennis Brutus, after years in exile, was able to return to South Africa in 2009.

10. He died in 2009.


Analysis

In the poem, 'It is the Constant Image of Your Face' the persona grapples with conflicting interests - his love for his country and the love he has for a woman.  Though the speaker admits that he was captivated by her beauty, his ultimate loyalty and devotion belong to his country. 

The persona resolves to place precedence on his patriotism - he chooses his country over the woman. He sees the love he has for the woman as tantamount to treason - a betrayal of his country.

Stanza 1

The persona in the poem is  reflecting on a time when he was confronted by his love interest.  He can never forget the image of her face, framed in his hands, hurling accusations at him with her eyes. He remembers how the woman accused him of breaking her heart - 'perennially accuses and convicts [him] of heart's treachery' - because he was unable to commit to her in the way she would have wanted. He makes it clear, though, that the woman can 'claim no loyalty' because his land 'takes precedence of all my loves'. His love for his country (in this case South Africa) comes above all else.

Stanza 2

The persona acknowledges that he has done something wrong and begs for mitigation. The man recognises that he is in a difficult position because he is caught in the middle of two powerful and appealing forces. He presents several reasons for his treasonous actions.  The woman managed to captivate him with her beauty and protectiveness. He did not stand a chance because of how alluring she was.  He claims not to be ashamed or regretful, but still seeks forgiveness from his country for committing what he terms 'still-fresh treason' since he allowed himself to be blackmailed by the woman's beauty.

Literary Devices

Remember: Poets use literary devices to aid in conveying meaning and impacting readers, so pay attention to the words Dennis Brutus uses in the poem to present the conflict/challenge the persona experiences.

Personification

  • The eyes of the speaker's love interest are personified - The woman's eyes scrutinize him and accuse him of betraying her. It is clear by looking in her eyes that she has found him guilty of committing the crime of breaking her heart.
  • The speaker's country is given human attributes. By personifying his country, it amplifies the deep devotion and love he has for his country.
Metaphor - 'world of knives'

These knives can refer to the dangers that the persona might have been surrounded by as he seeks to defend his country from divisive and destructive forces.

Oxymoron - 'heart's treachery'

The heart is usually a space that is associated with love and tenderness, but we see where the woman's heart has become broken. 

Irony - It is evident that the persona in the poem is in a conflicted/confused state. He claims not to have any remorse or shame but the words he uses to convey what he believes he has done to his country suggest otherwise.  Consider words like 'treason' and 'pardon'.  Additionally, the fact that he is asking for forgiveness reinforces that he has done something wrong.

Diction - The poem uses words that create the impression that the person has committed a crime.  He uses words like 'accuses', 'convicts' and 'treachery' when he recollects the woman's accusatory attitude towards him.  When he contemplates how he has betrayed his country and expresses his desire for forgiveness, he uses words like "confess', 'guilty', 'treason' and 'pardon'.

Note, too, the phrases that are used to convey how irresistible he found the woman. Phrases like:  'accomplice of my heart', 'blackmail with your beauty' and 'dear protectiveness'. He was apparently so helpless against these qualities that he could not avoid succumbing to the woman. His heart and her beauty conspired to get him to be traitorous to his country.

Themes
  • patriotism
  • love
  • divided loyalties
  • desires
Tone 
  • reflective
  • guilty
  • remorse
  • conflicted
  • confused

Study Questions

Use these questions to guide your revision of the poem.

1. Who are involved in the poem?
2. What is the conflict that is present in the poem?
3. How does the woman feel? 
4. Why is personification used in the poem?
5. What themes does the poem explore? 
6. How is the tone in the poem significant?
7. What impression have you formed about the man?
8. What are your thoughts on the fact that the man claims to have a greater love for his country than the woman?


Check out an analysis of 'Mirror' by Sylvia Plath at: https://cxcenglishastudyhub.blogspot.com/2022/04/reflecting-on-mirror-by-sylvia-plath.html

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