Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Spoiler’s Return" by Derek Walcott is a calypso-style poem that captures the voice of the legendary calypsonian Spoiler, a Trinidadian singer known for his sharp wit and satirical social commentary. In this poem, Spoiler returns from the dead and surveys the political, social, and cultural landscape of Trinidad and the wider Caribbean. Walcott uses Spoiler’s biting humor to critique corruption, inequality, and the post-colonial realities of the Caribbean, blending folklore, historical references, and literary allusions into a vivid portrait of the region’s ongoing struggles.

The poem opens with Spoiler perched on a bridge in Laventille, a district in Port of Spain, Trinidad. He sits as a ghost, "bones in a sack," observing the city he once sang about. Passersby recognize him and ask when he returned. Spoiler’s return to the earthly realm, authorized by Satan himself, reflects the poem's theme of moral decay and the enduring relevance of Spoiler’s satire. The setting, Laventille, is symbolic, as it represents both the cultural heart of calypso and the socio-economic inequalities that persist in the city.

Spoiler’s observations are immediately laced with wit and bitterness. He comments on the corruption and greed that dominate society, where "sharks with shirt-jacs, sharks with well-pressed fins" prey on the vulnerable. The metaphor of sharks represents those in power who exploit the poor, underscoring the deep-rooted social inequality in Trinidad and the broader Caribbean. The imagery of "crab climbing crab-back, in a crab-quarrel" reflects a society trapped in cycles of internal conflict and competition, a metaphor for the lack of progress despite the promises of independence and development.

Walcott continues this theme of stagnation and disillusionment, noting that "nothing ain't change but colour and attire." Spoiler’s return to observe the contemporary scene reveals that the systemic issues of colonialism—greed, exploitation, and inequality—have persisted despite the superficial changes in leadership. The poet invokes classical satirists like Martial, Juvenal, and Pope, aligning Spoiler with these figures as a moralist and social critic whose humor exposes societal ills.

As the poem progresses, Spoiler addresses the cultural landscape, lamenting the decline of calypso as a medium for truth-telling. He warns that "the time could come, it can't be very long, / when they will jail calypso for picong," suggesting that even the art form known for its sharp, critical humor is under threat. The commercialization of culture and the erosion of free expression are emblematic of a society that no longer values dissent or critical reflection. Spoiler’s voice, once a tool for social change, is increasingly marginalized in a society more concerned with materialism and surface-level entertainment.

Walcott's poem also critiques the economic exploitation of smaller Caribbean islands by Trinidad, which, due to its oil wealth, has positioned itself as a regional power. Spoiler points out the hypocrisy of Trinidad’s self-congratulatory attitude, observing how the country "make them know they begging" when offering aid to poorer nations like Jamaica and Dominica. This dynamic underscores the broader theme of neo-colonialism within the region, where former colonies continue to exploit one another in a quest for economic survival and dominance.

The poem culminates in Spoiler’s lament for the state of the Caribbean, echoing the poet V. S. Naipaul’s famous description of the region as an "area of darkness." The reference to "V. S. Nightfall" highlights Spoiler’s despair over the lack of progress and the persistent social inequalities that plague the islands. Despite the superficial trappings of modernization and political independence, Spoiler sees little meaningful change: "The poor still poor, whatever arse they catch." The poem’s closing lines, filled with references to classical satirists and literary greats, elevate Spoiler’s role as a chronicler of the human condition, someone who sees beyond the surface of society and speaks uncomfortable truths.

"Spoiler’s Return" is both a tribute to the calypsonian tradition and a sharp critique of the political and social landscape of Trinidad and the Caribbean. Walcott uses Spoiler’s voice to expose the hypocrisies and injustices of a post-colonial society that has failed to deliver on its promises of equality and progress. Through its rich use of imagery, folklore, and literary allusion, the poem captures the complexity of the Caribbean experience, blending humor and despair in a powerful meditation on power, poverty, and the enduring relevance of satire.

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