AFRICAN POETRY
Discuss the poet’s diction in “The fence.”
Explanation
The poet raises the serious issues of his dilemma and confusion especially on the threshold of decision-making. Accordingly he deploys appropriate diction to make his points. To this end he uses epithets that connote the uncertainty of things and a network of opposites that underscore his indecision.
For instance he finds himself helpless where 'the past and the future' are both 'dim' and "the hopes and inspirations they raise are equally 'nebulous'. He is also confounded at that point where time ceaselessly moves 'forwards anc backwards'. There he lies unable to choose between casting away the old and embracing the new. With a skillful use of an effective network of contrasting words, he shows how he finds himself unable to take sides as he watches "truth and untruth" locked in an 'endless and bloody combat.'
By means of the same language technique he portrays his dilemma, confusion and indecision at the crossroads of the "need for good" and the need for 'doing good'. There again he lies unable to take any decision. It is also with the use of the right diction that the poet reveals how his dilemma, confusion and indecision seemingly peak, hallucinating as he feels the 'buoyant waves'; tending to 'stagger' even though he has "not been drinking" anc lying "in open-souled amazement". Helplessly watching the forces of evil descending and causing their havoc. Throughout the poem, the choice of diction which begins with the title-The Fence'-is consistent with the poet's passive disposition as he continues to sit on the fence in masters of the utmost importance.