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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Dream of Colony" by Eavan Boland is a deeply evocative poem that navigates the themes of history, memory, and the consequences of colonialism through the powerful metaphor of a dream. Boland’s dream narrative transcends the bounds of reality to explore the idea of undoing the violent and painful legacies of colonial rule, only to confront the complexities and the inherent impossibilities of such a reversal. The poem opens with the dreamers coming upon an iron gate, a symbol that could represent the barriers and divisions wrought by colonialism. The gate’s opening and the subsequent journey over gravel signify a transition into a realm where the normal rules of time and causality do not apply. This is a world of potential, where the spoken word has the power to "unmake history." As the dream progresses, the transformative power of language is depicted vividly. The words of the dreamers bring about an idyllic reversal of the scars of history: trees shake off their diseases, unburned houses rise, and the shadows of a healthier, unscarred landscape stretch out before them. This imagery suggests a longing for innocence and a return to a time before colonial violence disrupted the natural and social order. However, the poem also acknowledges the futility of such wishes. The phrase "Unturned that corner / the assassin eased around and aimed from" speaks to the inescapability of historical events. The attempt to speak words that could undo acts of violence highlights the painful realization that the past cannot be changed, that the wounds of history are indelible. The dream culminates in a moment of revelation at the top of the avenue, where laughter and "forgotten consonants" suggest a fleeting glimpse of a world unmarred by colonial strife. Yet, this vision is quickly complicated by the speaker's realization of the other's unknowable identity — "But who are you?" — which underscores the disconnection and alienation that colonial legacies can engender even in moments of apparent harmony. The closing lines, where a woman's voice — the speaker's own — questions "What have we done?" encapsulate the poem's central tension. This question reflects the deep uncertainty and guilt associated with the colonial enterprise. It acknowledges the irreversible impact of colonial actions on both the colonized and the colonizers, and the profound moral and existential dilemmas they pose for subsequent generations. "Dream of Colony" is a powerful meditation on the desire to heal the traumas of colonialism and the sobering recognition of the limits of such aspirations. Through the dream motif, Boland captures the complexity of grappling with historical legacy, the yearning for redemption, and the enduring challenge of understanding and reconciling with the past. The poem invites readers to reflect on the enduring effects of colonialism and the ways in which history shadows our collective and individual identities. POEM TEXT: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/browse?contentId=40015
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