The Sea is History

Historical tragedies that happen to certain groups and cultures might not be what those people want to identify with. Walcott describes the African slaves that have died overseas “with eyes heavy as anchors, who sank without tombs…” (Stanza 8, Line 26-7). He’s using metaphors to demonstrate the sadness and deprivation of those onboard and how some died a death without any acknowledgement. Because they had no tombs, they essentially had no names. Not only were they robbed of their lives, they were robbed of individuality.  Walcott illustrates that the violence the slaves faces were “…just Lamentations—that was just Lamentations, it was not History…” (Stanza 15 & 16, Lines 47-51). Rather than saying the line once, Walcott is repeating to the reader of the “Lamentations” twice to emphasize the devastating past the Africans experienced. However, he follows that repetition by bluntly stating those traumatic events weren’t even history. He is reminding us of his voice and opinion on the definition of history and what it means for African people. Walcott’s point is the troubles African ancestors have faced are valid, and the trauma, violence, and deaths of those individuals at sea need to be acknowledged. But, because it has been inflicted on them by another race, it should not be considered part of African history. They were taken away from their homeland and the opportunity to have a peaceful backstory was lost.