"The Fate of Vultures and Other Poems" by Tanure Ojaide

A BRIEF INTRODUCTION ABOUT WHAT THE POEM ENTAILS.

This analysis mirrors the interpretation of Tanure Ojaide’s “The Fate of Vultures and Other Poems” as a text that functions as a conduit of vituperation. What this means is that writers often turn to their crafts (in this case, poetry) to voice their opinion on prevalent issues in the society. This is possible because writers such as Ojaide are categorized among writers with a social conscience. Tanure Ojaide is a poet who cares deeply for the people (especially, the masses) in his society. He cares about the plight of the poor, the uneducated, the un-exposed, the less priviledged and victims of numerous societal injusties.

This analysis endeavors to exemplify the areas that the poet, in this collection, expresses his social conscience nature. Certain poems in Ojaide’s “The Fate of Vultures and Other Poems” would be interpreted in line with the theme of a writer with a social consciousness, and as a writer that is an activist.

Since art is not just for art sake; art is made for more, and it is made of more. Art is made to not just for art, it is made for people. It is made for people to implement, and it is made to implement people. It is made to influence people. It is a means for intentions and expressions to be made known. It is a conduit for expression, for action and for intentions.

This is what poets, such as Tanure Ojaide, consciously perform in through their craft. They write for the people and to influence the people. It is propaganda poetry. Poetry to incite action from the people.

The aggregate thematic preoccupation of The Fate of Vulture and Other Poems is that it ridicules the excesses and corruption of the ruling elites in Africa. Selected poems in the anthology will be explicated in this analysis.

AYEOJUYO, OLAMILEKAN JOSHUA.