Patrick Padua

Vultures

             The poem” vultures” was written by an African poet named Chinua Achebe. This was when the whole continent of Africa was under apartheid or racial discrimination. Before, black people like the Africans were considered slaves. Most of the poets of that time write literary pieces with tragic or sad theme.

           The poem Vulture focused on two vultures which, despite of its gross form, bald head, dirty feathers, had somehow developed affection or love for each other. The author described the way these birds feed, basically upon carcasses of dead animals. For us humans, that’s gruesome. But for the vultures, that’s normal.

            The author then compared it to a German general who was brutal and no mercy when he’s on duty. He’s never affected by his actions. Even when killing the Jews by burning them alive or by poisoning them. But when the general goes home, he always stops at the candy store to buy chocolates and candies for his beloved children.

             For me, the general can be compared to a lion. Fierce and brutal but has affection for others of its kind and caring for its offspring. The general and the vultures in the story are showing their good and bad side. Which, I believe, most of us have. A think, no matter how bad a person is, there is still a good side to keep things balanced. I think, what the author’s message was, even though the invaders of their land were cruel, the author still sees a good side from them. Despite their brutal attitude they showed among the African people, they still love their families and shows affection among them like they don’t know how to be brutal.