My favourite poem from English Literature GCSE

 The poem "Vultures" by Chinua Achebe is widely regarded as a masterpiece of modern African poetry, and is included in the AQA GCSE English Literature anthology. There are several reasons why this poem is considered so good, and some of the key reasons are discussed below.


First and foremost, "Vultures" is a highly evocative and powerful poem that uses vivid imagery and stark contrasts to convey its themes. The opening lines of the poem describe a pair of vultures perched on a tree branch, observing a concentration camp during the Holocaust. The description of the vultures, with their "bashed-in head[s] and a pebble for an eye," is both disturbing and poignant, and sets the tone for the rest of the poem. By juxtaposing the natural world with the horrors of the concentration camp, Achebe creates a powerful sense of tension that draws the reader in and compels them to keep reading.

Another reason why "Vultures" is so effective is that it deals with universal themes that are relevant to people of all cultures and backgrounds. The poem is not just about the Holocaust or the vultures themselves, but about the nature of evil and the complexity of human behavior. Achebe's portrayal of the vultures, with their dual nature of both predator and caretaker, serves as a metaphor for the paradoxical and sometimes contradictory nature of human behavior. The poem invites the reader to reflect on their own capacity for both cruelty and compassion, and to consider the ways in which these two impulses can coexist within us all.

Finally, "Vultures" is a beautifully crafted poem that showcases Achebe's skill as a writer. The language and imagery are rich and precise, and the structure of the poem - with its shifts in tone and perspective - is carefully designed to create a powerful and lasting impression. By the end of the poem, the reader is left with a haunting sense of the fragility of life and the ways in which good and evil are intertwined.






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