Papa- T

By Fred D'Aguiar (b. 1960)

Context

• Fred D'Aguiar was born in London but spent his early years in Guyana with his grandmother. His poetry often blends English and Guyanese Creole, giving a voice to the West Indian diaspora and exploring themes related to the history of slavery and exploitation in Guyana. In "Papa-T," D'Aguiar reflects on his grandfather's influence, drawing a connection between his personal history and the grand narratives of British imperialism. The poem mixes personal memories with references to Alfred Lord Tennyson's famous poem "The Charge of the Light Brigade," creating a dialogue between different cultures and their literary traditions.

The Poem

Papa-T

When Papa-T recited Tennyson's The Charge of the Light Brigade

His head raised to attention, his arm stiff to his side,

His voice was a drumbeat

← Sibilance

as if cannon were thundering

And horses stampeded, as though the table shook

And china rattled in the cupboard, as though the floor rocked

With the charge – though all this was his voice.

On the battlefield,

the men tin-soldiered their way to glory,

← Irony

From the thin end of a widow's letter, to the last breath

Blown from a son's chest – dust from a dung heap;

But my grandfather could lift them to their feet

And send them forward – not to die, but to heed him

As though words were orders and to hear was to obey.

The landscape of the poem was nothing like Guyana,

But a wooden bridge over a waterless creek,

Not some scorched earth or a battle smoke screen,

← Contrast

But our sweet seasalter,

his eye fixed on an horizon

Where horses waited with reins pulled tight

Ready to bolt into battle at the touch of a word.

To hear was to disobey,

← Paradox

For the charge could only be a backward glance

At the blank page before the pen scratched

An upside down V into the paper,

← Imagery and symbolism

When he smiled and winked,

Ready to give us a good lickin'

And send us off to bed.

5 Quotes + Analysis to Achieve a Grade 9

1. Language device = Metaphor. "His voice was a drumbeat" Analysis: This metaphor compares the grandfather's voice to a drumbeat, suggesting it is powerful and rhythmic, commanding attention like the sound of approaching danger. The use of "drumbeat" also links to the military theme of Tennyson's poem, showing how the grandfather's recital brings the battle to life, even in a peaceful home setting. This line reflects the influence of oral tradition in passing down stories and history.

2. Language device = Irony. "The men tin-soldiered their way to glory" Analysis: The phrase "tin-soldiered" vividly describes the soldiers as small, almost toy-like, which diminishes the impressiveness of their "glory." This choice of words reflects the poet's critique of how war can be glorified, reducing real human lives to mere pawns in a larger game. It also contrasts the dramatic, almost exaggerated retelling of the battle by the grandfather with the harsh reality of war.

3. Language device = Contrast. "Not some scorched earth or a battle smoke screen, / But our sweet seasalter" Analysis: The sharp difference between "scorched earth" and "battle smoke screen" versus "sweet Seasalter" emphasises the difference between the harsh, violent imagery of war and the peaceful, familiar setting of the poet's childhood. "Seasalter" is a term of endearment for the familiar and peaceful landscape of the poet's childhood. This contrast highlights how the grandfather's storytelling transforms ordinary surroundings into something grand and historical, bridging the gap between different worlds and experiences.

4. Language device = Paradox "To hear was to disobey" Analysis: The statement "To hear was to disobey" contradicts the usual expectation that hearing leads to obedience. This paradox challenges the idea that listening results in compliance, instead suggesting that hearing the grandfather's stories encourages critical thinking and rebellion. It reflects the poet's journey toward independence, as he listens to past experiences but ultimately chooses his own path, breaking from tradition.

5. Language device = Imagery and symbolism. "The blank page before the pen scratched / An upside down V into the paper" Analysis: This imagery captures the moment of creation, where the poet begins to write. The "upside down V" could symbolise the start of a letter or the beginning of an idea, but also a turning point, a moment of transformation. This reflects how the poet uses his grandfather's influence to create something new and different, blending personal memory with literary tradition.

Form & Structure Points to Mention for Top Grades

• Free Verse:
  • The poem does not use a regular rhyme scheme, which contrasts with Tennyson's structured poetry. This choice might reflect D'Aguiar's desire to break away from traditional forms and express a more personal, fluid narrative.
• Imagery:
  • The poem is rich with vivid imagery that brings both the grandfather's recitals and the poet's childhood memories to life. The use of everyday objects like a "wooden bridge" and "china rattled in the cupboard" helps ground the poem in reality while also showing how imagination can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.
• Intertextuality:
  • D'Aguiar's poem references and plays off Tennyson's "The Charge of the Light Brigade," creating a dialogue between the grand, historical narrative of British imperialism and the personal, familial history of the poet. This layering of texts adds depth to the poem, showing how different cultures and histories can intersect.
• Tone Shift:
  • The poem moves from a tone of reverence for the grandfather's storytelling to one of independence, as the poet reflects on how this storytelling has influenced his own creative process. The shift in tone mirrors the poet's growth from a passive listener to an active creator.

Example Paragraph for a Grade 9 Answer:

In "Papa-T," D'Aguiar explores the power of memory and tradition through his grandfather's recitals of Tennyson's poetry. The line "His voice was a drumbeat" highlights the impact of these stories, as the grandfather's voice commands attention and brings the past to life. The use of vivid imagery, like "china rattled in the cupboard," shows how the grandfather's storytelling turns ordinary moments into something grand and historical. D'Aguiar contrasts the grandeur of Tennyson's "The Charge of the Light Brigade" with the more personal, intimate setting of his childhood, suggesting that memory and tradition can be both powerful and personal. This is different from…