,Contents
CHAPTER 1: A FAR CRY FROM AFRICA by Derek Walcott ............................................................................. 3
PART 1- Historical Context, Background, Overview, Summary and Themes ......................................... 3
Why This Poem Matters....................................................................................................................................................... 3
About the Poet ......................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Derek Walcott (1930–2017) ............................................................................................................................................ 3
Historical Background ......................................................................................................................................................... 4
Colonialism in Africa ........................................................................................................................................................ 4
The Mau Mau Uprising (1952–1960) .............................................................................................................................. 4
Why Is the Speaker So Conflicted? ............................................................................................................................... 5
Understanding the Title ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
A Far Cry from Africa ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
Literal Meaning ............................................................................................................................................................... 5
Figurative Meaning ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
Symbolic Meaning ......................................................................................................................................................... 6
Overview of the Poem .......................................................................................................................................................... 6
Detailed Summary .................................................................................................................................................................. 6
The Central Argument .......................................................................................................................................................... 7
Major Themes ........................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Theme 1: Identity ................................................................................................................................................................ 7
Theme 2: Colonialism ...................................................................................................................................................... 7
Theme 3: Violence ............................................................................................................................................................. 8
Theme 4: Loyalty and Belonging ............................................................................................................................... 8
Theme 5: Morality............................................................................................................................................................... 8
PART 2- Speaker, Structure, Tone, Mood & Line-by-Line Analysis.............................................................. 9
PART 3- Imagery, Diction, Symbolism, Figures of Speech & Close Analysis (Lines 9–End)....... 18
PART 4- Exam Mastery • Essays • Contextual Questions • Quotations • Revision Sheet •
Examiner Tips ........................................................................................................................................................................ 26
,CHAPTER 1: A FAR CRY FROM AFRICA by Derek Walcott
PART 1- Historical Context, Background, Overview, Summary and Themes
Why This Poem Matters
A Far Cry from Africa is regarded as one of Derek Walcott's most important poems
because it explores one of the greatest struggles experienced by people living in
former colonies: the question of identity.
Unlike many political poems, Walcott does not present a simple argument about who
is right and who is wrong. Instead, he shows how colonialism creates emotional
conflict that cannot easily be solved. The speaker belongs to both the colonisers and
the colonised, leaving him trapped between two worlds.
This complexity is exactly why examiners return to this poem so often. They are not
testing whether you know historical facts—they are testing whether you understand
how history affects identity, morality and belonging.
Distinction Tip
Never describe this as simply a poem about war. It is a poem about how colonial
violence destroys identity and creates moral conflict.
About the Poet
Derek Walcott (1930–2017)
Derek Walcott was born in Castries, Saint Lucia, a small Caribbean island that was
once colonised by European powers. His family background reflected the cultural
diversity of the Caribbean. He had African, European and Dutch ancestry, meaning
that from birth he belonged to more than one cultural tradition.
Walcott grew up speaking English and studying English literature. He admired
writers such as Shakespeare and Milton, yet he was also deeply aware of Africa's
history and the suffering caused by European colonialism.
This mixed heritage shaped much of his writing.
Throughout his career Walcott explored questions such as:
• Who am I?
• Can someone belong to two cultures equally?
• Is it possible to love English literature while condemning British colonialism?
• How do people recover after colonialism?
These questions form the heart of A Far Cry from Africa.
In 1992 Walcott received the Nobel Prize in Literature for his contribution to world
literature.
, Historical Background
Colonialism in Africa
To understand the poem, you first need to understand colonialism.
During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, many African countries were
controlled by European powers such as Britain, France, Belgium and Portugal.
European governments claimed they were bringing civilisation, education and
religion to Africa. In reality, colonialism often involved:
• taking land from African communities
• exploiting natural resources
• forcing Africans to work for little or no pay
• destroying traditional political systems
• introducing racial discrimination
• limiting freedom.
Many Africans resisted colonial rule.
One of the most significant resistance movements took place in Kenya.
The Mau Mau Uprising (1952–1960)
The poem was inspired by the Mau Mau Uprising in Kenya.
The Mau Mau were mainly members of the Kikuyu ethnic group who fought against
British colonial rule after years of losing land and political rights.
The conflict became extremely violent.
The Mau Mau attacked settlers and Africans who supported the British government.
The British military responded with executions, imprisonment, torture and detention
camps.
Thousands of people died during the conflict.
Walcott was horrified by the violence committed by both sides.
Rather than celebrating one group or condemning only the other, he recognised that
war had stripped everyone of their humanity.
CHAPTER 1: A FAR CRY FROM AFRICA by Derek Walcott ............................................................................. 3
PART 1- Historical Context, Background, Overview, Summary and Themes ......................................... 3
Why This Poem Matters....................................................................................................................................................... 3
About the Poet ......................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Derek Walcott (1930–2017) ............................................................................................................................................ 3
Historical Background ......................................................................................................................................................... 4
Colonialism in Africa ........................................................................................................................................................ 4
The Mau Mau Uprising (1952–1960) .............................................................................................................................. 4
Why Is the Speaker So Conflicted? ............................................................................................................................... 5
Understanding the Title ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
A Far Cry from Africa ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
Literal Meaning ............................................................................................................................................................... 5
Figurative Meaning ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
Symbolic Meaning ......................................................................................................................................................... 6
Overview of the Poem .......................................................................................................................................................... 6
Detailed Summary .................................................................................................................................................................. 6
The Central Argument .......................................................................................................................................................... 7
Major Themes ........................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Theme 1: Identity ................................................................................................................................................................ 7
Theme 2: Colonialism ...................................................................................................................................................... 7
Theme 3: Violence ............................................................................................................................................................. 8
Theme 4: Loyalty and Belonging ............................................................................................................................... 8
Theme 5: Morality............................................................................................................................................................... 8
PART 2- Speaker, Structure, Tone, Mood & Line-by-Line Analysis.............................................................. 9
PART 3- Imagery, Diction, Symbolism, Figures of Speech & Close Analysis (Lines 9–End)....... 18
PART 4- Exam Mastery • Essays • Contextual Questions • Quotations • Revision Sheet •
Examiner Tips ........................................................................................................................................................................ 26
,CHAPTER 1: A FAR CRY FROM AFRICA by Derek Walcott
PART 1- Historical Context, Background, Overview, Summary and Themes
Why This Poem Matters
A Far Cry from Africa is regarded as one of Derek Walcott's most important poems
because it explores one of the greatest struggles experienced by people living in
former colonies: the question of identity.
Unlike many political poems, Walcott does not present a simple argument about who
is right and who is wrong. Instead, he shows how colonialism creates emotional
conflict that cannot easily be solved. The speaker belongs to both the colonisers and
the colonised, leaving him trapped between two worlds.
This complexity is exactly why examiners return to this poem so often. They are not
testing whether you know historical facts—they are testing whether you understand
how history affects identity, morality and belonging.
Distinction Tip
Never describe this as simply a poem about war. It is a poem about how colonial
violence destroys identity and creates moral conflict.
About the Poet
Derek Walcott (1930–2017)
Derek Walcott was born in Castries, Saint Lucia, a small Caribbean island that was
once colonised by European powers. His family background reflected the cultural
diversity of the Caribbean. He had African, European and Dutch ancestry, meaning
that from birth he belonged to more than one cultural tradition.
Walcott grew up speaking English and studying English literature. He admired
writers such as Shakespeare and Milton, yet he was also deeply aware of Africa's
history and the suffering caused by European colonialism.
This mixed heritage shaped much of his writing.
Throughout his career Walcott explored questions such as:
• Who am I?
• Can someone belong to two cultures equally?
• Is it possible to love English literature while condemning British colonialism?
• How do people recover after colonialism?
These questions form the heart of A Far Cry from Africa.
In 1992 Walcott received the Nobel Prize in Literature for his contribution to world
literature.
, Historical Background
Colonialism in Africa
To understand the poem, you first need to understand colonialism.
During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, many African countries were
controlled by European powers such as Britain, France, Belgium and Portugal.
European governments claimed they were bringing civilisation, education and
religion to Africa. In reality, colonialism often involved:
• taking land from African communities
• exploiting natural resources
• forcing Africans to work for little or no pay
• destroying traditional political systems
• introducing racial discrimination
• limiting freedom.
Many Africans resisted colonial rule.
One of the most significant resistance movements took place in Kenya.
The Mau Mau Uprising (1952–1960)
The poem was inspired by the Mau Mau Uprising in Kenya.
The Mau Mau were mainly members of the Kikuyu ethnic group who fought against
British colonial rule after years of losing land and political rights.
The conflict became extremely violent.
The Mau Mau attacked settlers and Africans who supported the British government.
The British military responded with executions, imprisonment, torture and detention
camps.
Thousands of people died during the conflict.
Walcott was horrified by the violence committed by both sides.
Rather than celebrating one group or condemning only the other, he recognised that
war had stripped everyone of their humanity.
