Christopher Okigbo: Poems Symbols, Allegory and Motifs

Christopher Okigbo: Poems Symbols, Allegory and Motifs

Thunder

In the poem "Hurrah for Thunder’’, the narrator mentions the thunder many times, and thus it becomes a common motif in the poem. The thunder is used here as a metaphor and its repetition highlights its importance in the poem.

The elephant

The elephant is the strongest creature described in the poem "Hurrah For Thunder’’. The elephant is described in the poem as a true force everyone has to be afraid of. Unfortunately, the elephant is taken down by the thunder and he disappears from the place he inhabited his whole life. The elephant is used in the poem as a symbol that stands for the natural world affected in Africa by humans. Just like the elephant was taken down by the thunder, many animals and creatures are taken down by the work of men.

Pumpkins

The narrator mentions how the hunters planned to plant pumpkin in the places where the elephant once stood. The pumpkin is not a type of plant indigenous to Africa and thus the pumpkin is used in this context as a symbol. By mentioning the pumpkin, the narrator wanted to transmit the idea that the people responsible for killing the animals on the land already planned ways to replace the empty spot. The pumpkin is thus used here as a symbol for the civilization replacing the natural world.

The grass

In the poem "Hurrah For Thunder’’ the narrator mentions how grass should not grow in places where the elephant walks. This implies that certain elements should not be found in various places. The grass is used in the poem as a symbol that stands for humans and thus through this the narrator wanted to transmit the idea that humans should not be allowed in the places where animals reign.

The desert

In the poem "Path of Thunder’’ the narrator talks about two men who traveled through the desert and at the end of which one of the men became a town crier. The desert is used in the poem as a symbol that stands for the challenges the man had to endure to become a man and successful. Thus, in order for the man to reach maturity, he had to cross the desert, a dangerous place where one can perish easily.

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