Omeros
Derek Walcott's Omeros is an epic story which fits well into the classical tradition. Its numerous echoes of Homeric writing combined with the use of characters' names from Homer's stories are clear evidence to the fact that there is a major parallel to Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. There is no debate in this obvious fact. Omeros and Derek Walcott's writing, however, are much more than a mere reproduction of classical Greek and Roman themes. Arguing this fact is an insult to Walcott and his masterful work. There are specific references in Walcott's writing which make this work more than a reproduction of someone else's stories and ideas. Omeros, although it is inundated with references to the works of Homer, is primarily the story of the island of St. Lucia. This island is the home of Derek Walcott, and so there is a natural connection between the author and this isle. Numerous episodes in the pages reflect different parts of the history of this island. Omeros is still most definitely a work of the classical tradition, but it is Walcott's reflection on the island of St. Lucia which occupies the majority of the pages of this epic poem. It just happens that he uses the classical method to tell the stor
The story of Achille in Omeros, however, even better relates to the personal struggle which Walcott is experiencing and attempting to solve in the poem. In numerous places, Achille and his actions represent either Walcott's struggle to accept the fate of the island, or representing the changing of the island. In chapter VIII, Achille dives for buried treasure, and the verse says that, "Money will change her..."(Bk 1, VIII, i). Here Achille is speaking of Helen. The idea of Helen as a metaphor for St Lucia recurs here, as Walcott is saying how the money of outsiders (Europeans, etc who are beginning to dominate the island in the present) who continue to eat away the native heritage of his homeland are changing the entire island. In chapter XXI, Achille himself rages over the loss of heritage and past culture. Walcott in this instance is portraying his own feelings on what is going on upon the isle into the feelings of one of the main characters. In chapter LIX, Achille would, "...howl/ at their [the tourists] clacking cameras, and hurl an imagined lance,"(Bk 7, LIX, iii). This obviously shows a dissatisfaction with the tourists present on the island and the continued loss of heritage and culture due to the influx of outsiders. Finally, in chapter LX, Walcott comes to a final realization. In this chapter, Achille and Philoctete journey to find a new cove because there are so many outsiders present in their native Gros Islet. However, they, "found no cove [they] liked as much as [their] own/ village,"(Bk 7, LX, i). This is where Walcott comes to grips with the fact that the native heritage of St. Lucia is slowly slipping away, and, sadly, there is no where else where one can find it. It is a fact which must be accepted and dealt with, there is no getting around it. Obviously Walcott utilized the character of Achille and put a great deal of his own character and beliefs into him. This conflict of these two European powers is a theme which Walcott carries over to the story. In Omeros, Walcott uses Achille and Hector to show the struggle between these two nations. In one place, Walcott says, "...An island called Helen...," Bk 2, XIX, i). Obviously, this is a clear reference to Helen being used as a figure of St. Lucia. He uses Achille and Hector's mutual pursuit of Helen to signify France (Hector) and England (Achille)'s constant struggle for the control of St. Lucia. This struggle is seen from very early on in the story: "The duel of the fisherman/was over a shadow and its name was Helen" (Bk 1, III, i). When Hector sells his boat while
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Approximate Word count = 1734
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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