'Mystic drum'

1. Topic :- Critical analysis of the poem ‘Mystic Drum ’ by Gabriel Okara Paper :- African Literature Prepared by :-Nargis I. Saiyad M.A. Sem.:-IV, Batch:- 2012- ‘13, Department of English, Bhavnagar University, Bhavnagar. 19th March,2013 1

2. The title Content possibilities The outsider may be the female of western world Western imperialism The outsider may be the beloved of the poet Okara mentions in one of his interviews that "The Mystic Drum" is essentially a love poem : "This was a lady I loved. And she coyly was not responding directly, but I adored her. Her demeanor seemed to mask her true feelings; at a distance, she seemed adoring, however, on coming closer, she was, after all, not what she seemed.’’ 19th March,2013 2

3. The outsider may be the emblem of Eve 19th March,2013 3 Nature: Goddess of Africa   “and fishes danced in the river” “But standing behind a tree  With leaves around her’’ “ the sun and the moon and the river gods- and the trees began to dance”

4. Killing of innocence “with leaves around her waist” “belching darkness” Identity of his people Problems of society Pollution “and smoke issuing from her nose” Deforestation “  with roots sprouting from her feet and leaves growing on her head” 19th March,2013 4

5. 19th March,2013 5 Thank you