Analysis of Chief Dan George - Lament for Confederation
Introduction
This poem is from the first persona narration. The narrator is sorrowful for Canada; he says that he has known her for a century does not expect it to be in the current. After struggling for it for years, he expected a better Canada. On contrary, he meets exploitation of resources, where the trees and rivers that used to be their source of food and clothing have disappeared, the rights of the citizens as well are being violated and the treatment that they, citizens, are being given is not worth. Basically, the narrators concern is what he should celebrate during this period of a hundred years. The narrator tries to recount the duration he has known Canada. He has known Canada for a period of a hundred years and is perturbed by what Canada has to show for the a hundred years.
Is there essence in the narrators claim? Does Canada really have nothing to show for the a hundred years? What evidence does the narrator give to support his claims against Canada? Basically, this is what this paper is trying to look at, the truth of these claims.
The narrator starts his poem by telling us how many years he has known Canada. This simply tells us that he is a permanent resident in this place and is likely to be in a better position to make comparison. In his poem he says that he knew Canada when she had trees and rivers, days when the rivers had fish. The narrator says that he has known Canada for quite a period of time even when the resources he used to enjoy were diminishing. But like the winds he says his thoughts and minds raced”spirit, like the winds, once roamed your good lands..” this shows how he tries his best to recall how long he has been in the land of Canada and his recollection of his contact with the events that took place in it.
Secondly, we find that narrator gives evidence of the things that have happened in Canada. He says that long ago she used to have very many trees and rivers which are no more. He recounts how they could go to the rivers for fish. He really stress on this point probably because food is very important to every human being and interfering with its source will make the lives of people miserable, the state in which the narrator feels the citizens are.
Also he says that he has seen freedom disappearing from Canada. This means that freedom used exist but cruelty crept into Canada. He says that when he decided to fight for their land, he was branded as traitors who are out to destroy the stable country. He says in return as a reward for fighting for the country was being deprived of his authority. The narrator is bitter about this. He sees the country bigwigs as traitors, people who instead of giving the support he deserves, and charges him. He is bitter that for the century, Canada just made steps backwards steps.
The narrator is also bitter about the incident that the history of the invaders of the land, those who interfered with natural resources like rivers and forests, has been ignored in the textbooks of the country. This, according to the narrator, could be intentional; in order to bar the people from getting to the roots of the interference, no wonder he says that he pity the Indians in the whole country.
The narrator is seriously annoyed to an extent that he decides to fight it alone. He asks God to give him strength to fight for the environment. We are not told of the means that he want to use while fighting but we are told he has decided to defeat the white men who invaded their country and are interfering with the countries resources and the rights of the citizens. He asks the courage that he likens to that of the old chiefs. He is determined to bring back the land from the whites.
Conclusion
In analyzing this poem, we find that the poet has a reason to complain. Things that are happening are not worth Canada to show for its development a hundredth year after its independence. So when the persona cries his head out that he has nothing to celebrate about Canada during this year he is simply expressing what he is knows.
In this poem, we find that the usage of language portrays a lot concerning the mood of the persona. He is lamenting. He says that he does not know what to celebrate Canada for. Can he celebrate Canada for the drawbacks he has seen? As a former soldier we see him so much sorrowful about this. He rose to fight for the country only to be deprived his authority to do so. He remains harmless to the country simply because he has no powers to soldier on. For this reason, he decides to take the bold step single handed to fight for the land ones more. This shows the extent to which he can not sit and watch Canada stumbling. He is determined to win the war alone.
Finally it is very sensitive in this poem that the persona has tried to make use of nature to prove his point. According to him, natural resources are very important and should not face exploitation. This is why he stresses on the land, the trees and rivers.
Reference:
Teasdale, W. Wakening the Spirit, Inspiring the Soul Sky Light Paths: Vermont, 2004.
