Summary
Summary Cockroaches IEB Poem
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In depth line by line analysis of Cockroaches by Yambo for Grade 12 IEB Poetry
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Cockroaches - YamboTurn on the light
and helter-skelter
they scuttle
to their dark shelters.
Cut them off
From their hideouts
block
their many approaches
and see cockroaches
in hopeless flurry
and helpless worry.
But
who ordained
the crash-fall
of sandals
on these
shy creatures?
Or
is it their love
of darkness
holds them suspect?
, Analysis
"Cockroaches" is a straightforward and compelling exploration of humanity's primal fears
and prejudices. The poem portrays a sequence of events that unfolds when cockroaches
are discovered in a house at night, presumably in a kitchen. Through this scene of everyday
domestic revulsion and violence, the poet delves into our inherent tendencies toward
aggression and cruelty. The cockroaches, in this verse, serve as a metaphor for the
ostracized, stigmatized, marginalized, and reviled individuals in our societies. The unfeeling
manner in which the insects are treated symbolizes the plight of the "downtrodden," who
are crushed and oppressed by those in power. Some interpretations even suggest that
"Cockroaches" can be seen as a reflection on the mistreatment of indigenous tribes and
peoples during Kenya's colonial period. In this light, the poem becomes a poignant and
compelling examination of the harsh impact of imperialism.
Structure
The poem is written in free verse, devoid of a formal rhyme scheme or meter. However,
the poet occasionally employs rhyme to enhance the pacing and rhythm at significant
moments. For instance, in the first stanza, a perfect rhyme exists between "shelter" and
"shelters." In the second stanza, there are two instances of perfect rhyme between
"approaches" and "cockroaches" and between "flurry" and "worry." These rhymes
emphasize the pace of the verse, evoking the frantic, hurried scurrying of the insects as
they desperately seek escape and shelter. The poem consists of four brief stanzas,
varying in length. The stanzas are all relatively short, with the longest being seven lines in the
second stanza. Both the first and last stanzas are four lines long. The lines themselves are
notably short, with most containing only three or four syllables. These short lines and
frequent line breaks contribute to the sense of frenetic movement and violence in the
scene described by the verse—capturing the creatures' darting movements on the floor and
the urgent stomping of the "sandal" amid the chaos. The poet employs various subtle
techniques to establish rhythm and rhyme, including enjambment and alliteration. Enjambment,
in particular, creates tension between the "helpless" "cockroaches" and the "crashing"
"sandals." For instance, the run-on lines between lines 5 and 8 in the second stanza evoke the
rapid, urgent actions of both the insects attempting to escape and the humans trying to
stop them. The sparing use of punctuation contributes to the fast-paced, urgent rhythm
of the verse, with full stops at the end of lines 4 and 11, creating pauses that allow the
imagery and meaning of each stanza to resonate. Furthermore, the question marks at the
end of the third and fourth stanzas introduce jarring, extended pauses, prompting readers
to consider the poet's questions deeply.
Title
The title is provocative, suggesting that the poem revolves around a creature commonly
perceived as unwelcome and repulsive. Cockroaches, according to surveys conducted by
scientist Stephen Kellert, are often considered the "least-loved" of all nonhuman creatures
by a significant margin. These resilient insects have existed for 150 million years, predating
dinosaurs, and have adapted to various threats, including human-made poisons. Cockroaches
play a vital ecological role as recyclers, breaking down decaying organic matter and
returning nutrients to the environment. Despite their ecological importance, human aversion
to cockroaches is not entirely unfounded, as they can carry diseases, trigger allergies,
reproduce rapidly, and are notoriously challenging to exterminate. The title prompts readers
to reflect on their relationship with cockroaches, as well as their attitudes and behaviors
toward these creatures
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