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



Picture source: Google

 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

Study Hub for CXC English A & B
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Simplifying Reflection 2 of the CXC English A SBA

Image
Students who are completing the English A SBA are asked to write three reflections. One in particular is quite challenging to many students - Reflection 2. What does Reflection 2 entail? Reflection 2 requires students to comment on the use of language in their chosen pieces. This requirement has plunged some students in a whirlpool of frustration. However, the experience of writing this specific reflection does not have to be overwhelming if students become more aware of what they are expected to do. Now, it is important for students to realize that the pieces they have selected serve a specific purpose - to communicate information about the students' individual topics. Therefore, if an individual topic focuses on the benefits of social media, for example, then students may come across a poem, article and a picture that provide pertinent information on this topic.  Reflection 2 requires students to pay attention to the language that is used to convey meaning. The word ' comment...
Read more

Tips on Writing Reflections for the CXC English A SBA

Image
THE ENGLISH A SBA (Writing the Reflections) Worth: 5 marks Please note that the reflections must be written in class. Each reflection should comprise of 150 words . You should have three reflections in all, and each reflection has a different focus. Reflection 1 In this reflection, you are expected to reflect on how each of the three pieces you have selected shaped your thinking about the topic. As you consider how each piece has shaped your thinking, consider the following: Have you gained any new knowledge? What does each piece make you think or feel about the topic? What do you understand more? Has your thinking changed? Recommendation: Encourage students to reflect on how each piece shaped their thinking in a separate paragraph. Reflection 2 This reflection focuses on the use of language in each piece. For print stimuli, focus on how the writer/author uses words to communicate or evoke a specific response in the selected stimuli. Firstly, the candidate mus...
Read more

English SBA - The Plan of Investigation

Image
This is an individual task that is worth 5 marks . It should comprise of 100 words. It is an introduction to the topic/issue/theme. It answers the following questions: What is your chosen theme and sub-topic? Why did you choose this issue/topic/theme? What are the expected benefits to you as a student of English? Consider how it will impact your vocabulary, knowledge, research skills, discussions and other aspects of your performance in English. How do you plan to collect relevant information on your issue/topic/theme and use specific English skills to analyse the pieces?  Overall, this section gives an overview of the general direction the SBA will take.   Once you are finished with your plan of investigation, then you should start writing your reflections. SAMPLE PLAN OF INVESTIGATION NOTE: Please note that this sample is by no means prescriptive (or standard) but should be used as a guide . My group and I have chosen the theme skin bleaching. I wil...
Read more