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| Sunday, 9 October 2005 |
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A/L English Literature Made Easy - Poetry
The Cobra - Lakdasa Wickramasinghe Lakdasa Wickkremasinha is a Sri Lankan poet. The
language style used by the poet is filled with local names and idiomatic
phrases. In expressing his ideas, he uses Sinhala local idiom and even
words closer
In the poem 'COBRA' Lakdasa Wikkremasinha lavishly uses local expressions to describe a significant event that took place the DEATH OF HIS PARTNER in life. 'Dunkiriniya' though it is introduced as a part of the description of the COBRA, relating an experience. The word 'DEATH' begining with the capitol letter 'D' signals the sad event with a note of fear and sadness. The most significant and emotionally cropped up phrase 'The very lamp of my heart' the woman of his heart, his partner in life. The last line highlights the inner feelings His ardent love for his woman. "The sky vertical is where you are now shadowing the sun, curling round and round my mind, They whisper death-stories but it was only my woman Dunkiriniya the very lamp of my heart, that died.' Arousing the sympathy of the readers inviting them to share his sorrow. The villagers believing in the MYTH OF THE POWER OF A COBRA, is emphasised by the first line, "Your great hood was like a flag hung up there in the village." The adjective GREAT, is not only suggestive of the size of the hood but also the majestic look of the cobra and the 'obeisance' of the villagers towards the cobra. "Endlessly the people came to Weragoda watched you (your eyes like braziers) standing some what afar--" The prominence given to the Cobra is emphasised in these lines. The outward appearance of the cobra-majestic and the people standing before the cobra 'some what far' in 'obeisance', as the villagers were being subjected to mythical beliefs. The deep sorrow created by the loss of "my woman Dunkiriniya, the very lamp of my heart that died." The short line with the two words "that died" ending with a full stop signifying the death-the saddest moment in the man's life and the end of his wife's life and the begining of his lonely days. The "interaction of a calm and sad preparation" takes place in a forceful manner. The reader is invited to share the sorrow and the pathetic atmosphere prevailing in the funeral house. Nobody is able to fill the void created by the death of - "My woman Dunkiriniya the very lamp of my heart" The man tries to lessen his sadness by "PARAMITAS" spotlighting the significant religious observation, "took you to heaven, however." The poet's use of local idiomatic phrases deviating from the English Language style, brings significance to the expressions. The contrasting situations of the cobra "HUNG UP THERE" and the dead body of the woman lying on one side - the people amazed at the sight of the cobra and then the woman Dunkiriniya lying silently - "They whisper Death." "shadowing of the Sun" the last hours of the day reveals the tragic event creating the pathetic atmosphere for the situation. The thirteenth line starting with BUT stresses and highlights the sadness caused by the Death of Dunkiriniya ""the very lamp of my heart." The language style used by the poet is in the spoken English pattern and the usage of local terms enhance the theme of the poem. The cynical attitude of the poet towards the people attracted to Weragoda is "quite conventional". The use of the rhyming pattern with long and short sentences bring much emphasis to the theme of the poem. "the powers of paramitas, took you to heaven however." Lakdasa Wikkremasinha's ability to express ideas in a very simple but elaborate manner, highlighting the significance of the local words and phrases bring much prominence to his poem. The description of the COBRA at the beginning. "Your great hood was like a flag" and the death of the woman introduced by the final lines reflect the "mythical concerns of the villagers in an ironic manner. The reader's attention is diverted to the "mythical beliefs" of the village folk and the sad death of "my woman Dunkiriniya" and a reflection of "AWE" is maintained throughout the poem. The poem 'COBRA' is a slight criticism of certain attitudes and beliefs of Sri Lankan society especially in the rural areas. The poet's use of local terms is quite effective 'MY WOMAN' for 'My Wife' appears to be a stronger term. Pablo Neruda in his poem "THE LAZY ONE" calls his wife "my woman" "my woman has large eyes." Maybe a loving word closer to the poet's feelings. Wikkremasinha's, COBRA though a short poem reveals the 'myths' and the relation of 'myths' to man's life and how sometimes mythical beliefs could end up in great sorrow. "The sky vertical is where you are now shadowing the sun, curling round, round my mind They whisper death-stories- - - " His use of local words and phrases mixing with the English Language style and his expressions take the reader to a homely background narrating a sad experience. The last words of the final verse leave behind a forceful and emotional image of the proceedings that brought the terrible and sad incident leaving behind a dark reflection, shadowing the narrator's whole life. Mrs. C. Ekanayake, Retd. Specialist Teacher, Eng. Lit., St. Anne's College, Kurunegala. |
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to our native language, yet maintaining the serenity of
expression, rhythm and rhyme. Usually African poets have used 'special
words' to express their 'feelings reserving their cultural value.' Lakdasa
Wikkremasinha's expressions and 'special words' are close to our native
language and invite his readers to a homely background. 
