'The Colonel' by Carolyn Forché

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The Country Between Us1978What you have heard is true. I was in his house.His wife carried a tray of coffee and sugar. Hisdaughter filed her nails, his son went out for thenight. There were daily papers, pet dogs, a pistolon the cushion beside him. The moon swung bare onits black cord over the house. On the televisionwas a cop show. It was in English. Broken bottleswere embedded in the walls around the house toscoop the kneecaps from a man's legs or cut hishands to lace. On the windows there were gratingslike those in liquor stores. We had dinner, rack oflamb, good wine, a gold bell was on the table forcalling the maid. The maid brought green mangoes,salt, a type of bread. I was asked how I enjoyedthe country. There was a brief commercial inSpanish. His wife took everything away. There wassome talk of how difficult it had become to govern.The parrot said hello on the terrace. The coloneltold it to shut up, and pushed himself from thetable. My friend said to me with his eyes: saynothing. The colonel returned with a sack used tobring groceries home. He spilled many human ears onthe table. They were like dried peach halves. Thereis no other way to say this. He took one of them inhis hands, shook it in our faces, dropped it into awater glass. It came alive there. I am tired offooling around he said. As for the rights of anyone,tell your people they can go f--- themselves. Heswept the ears to the floor with his arm and heldthe last of his wine in the air. Something for yourpoetry, no? he said. Some of the ears on the floorcaught this scrap of his voice. Some of the ears onthe floor were pressed to the ground.May 1978

Editor 1 Interpretation

Literary Criticism and Interpretation of "The Colonel" by Carolyn Forché

Oh, what a poem! Carolyn Forché's "The Colonel" is a masterpiece that captures the horrors of war and the brutality of dictatorial regimes. It's a poem that sends shivers down your spine, leaves you gasping for breath, and compels you to think deeply about the human condition. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I'll explore the themes, imagery, and literary devices that make "The Colonel" such a powerful and unforgettable work of art.

Background

Before we dive into the poem, it's worth mentioning some background information on Carolyn Forché. She's an American poet, translator, and human rights activist who's known for her work in documenting human rights abuses in countries such as El Salvador, Lebanon, and South Africa. Forché's poems often deal with political and social issues, and "The Colonel" is no exception. It's based on her experience of visiting El Salvador during its civil war in the 1980s and meeting a high-ranking military official known as "the Colonel."

The Poem

"The Colonel" is a free-verse poem with no specific rhyme scheme or meter. It consists of 33 lines that are divided into five stanzas of varying lengths. The poem opens with the lines:

What you have heard is true. I was in his house. His wife carried a tray of coffee and sugar.

These lines establish the speaker's presence in the Colonel's house and the domestic setting in which the events of the poem take place. But the second line, "His wife carried a tray of coffee and sugar," introduces a sense of unease that foreshadows the violence and horror that's to come.

Themes

One of the primary themes of "The Colonel" is the dehumanization of both the oppressors and the oppressed in times of war. The Colonel is portrayed as a barbaric and sadistic figure who takes pleasure in the torture and murder of his victims. But the speaker also notes that he's a human being who eats, drinks, and sleeps like everyone else. This juxtaposition of the Colonel's humanity and his inhumanity highlights the paradoxical nature of war and the way it can strip people of their dignity and compassion.

Another theme is the power of language and the way it can be used to manipulate and control people. The Colonel's use of language is particularly chilling, as he describes the torture methods with clinical detachment and uses euphemisms to mask the brutality of his actions. The speaker notes, "He said, 'I am tired of fooling around,'" which suggests that the Colonel views torture as a game or a means of exerting his authority over others. This theme is further underscored by the poem's structure, which is fragmented and disjointed, as if the language itself has been shattered by the violence and chaos of war.

Finally, "The Colonel" is a commentary on the role of the artist in times of political upheaval. The speaker is a writer who's been brought to the Colonel's house to translate some documents. But instead of following his instructions, she becomes an observer of the atrocities that are taking place around her. By writing about what she sees, she's bearing witness to the suffering of others and using her art to expose the truth. This theme is encapsulated in the poem's final lines, which read, "Something inside me / died then / that has never come back."

Imagery

"The Colonel" is filled with vivid and disturbing imagery that evokes the horrors of war. For example, the speaker describes "the pile of corpses" that the Colonel shows her, and how "they were like dolls." This simile highlights the dehumanization of the victims and the way their bodies have been reduced to objects. Another example is the description of the Colonel's boots, which are "black / with shiny leather" and "like lacquered bowls." This image suggests the Colonel's power and authority, but also his detachment from the violence he's inflicting.

But perhaps the most powerful image in the poem is the one that's repeated throughout: the Colonel's face. The speaker notes that he has a "thick neck and a broad back," and that his face is "like a huge fish." This metaphor is particularly effective because it's both grotesque and dehumanizing. The image of the fish suggests the Colonel's cold and unfeeling nature, as well as his willingness to devour his victims. But it also highlights the way in which the Colonel has been reduced to an animal, stripped of his humanity by the violence of war.

Literary Devices

"The Colonel" is rich with literary devices that enhance its impact and meaning. One of the most striking devices is the use of repetition, which creates a sense of rhythm and builds tension throughout the poem. For example, the phrase "What you have heard is true" is repeated three times, emphasizing the truth of the events that the speaker is describing. The image of the Colonel's face is also repeated several times, creating a sense of dread and anticipation as the poem progresses.

Another literary device is the use of metaphor, which allows the speaker to convey complex ideas and emotions through imagery. The metaphor of the fish, as mentioned earlier, is one example. But there are others, such as the metaphor of the Colonel's boots as bowls, which suggests his power and authority, and the metaphor of the bodies as dolls, which highlights their dehumanization.

The poem also employs enjambment, which is when a line of poetry continues onto the next line without punctuation. This technique creates a sense of flow and momentum in the poem, as if the events are unfolding in real time. But it also creates a sense of fragmentation and disorientation, which mirrors the chaos and violence of war.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Colonel" is a powerful and haunting poem that captures the brutality of war and the dehumanization of both the oppressors and the oppressed. Through vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and skillful use of literary devices, Carolyn Forché creates a work of art that forces us to confront the darkest aspects of human nature. It's a poem that lingers in your mind long after you've finished reading it, and one that reminds us of the importance of bearing witness to the suffering of others.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Colonel: A Powerful Poem by Carolyn Forché

Carolyn Forché’s poem, The Colonel, is a powerful and haunting piece of literature that explores the horrors of war and the dehumanization of individuals in times of conflict. The poem is based on Forché’s own experiences in El Salvador during the civil war in the 1980s, where she witnessed the brutality of the military regime and the atrocities committed against the civilian population. The poem is a vivid and visceral account of the encounter between the poet and the titular Colonel, a high-ranking military officer who represents the oppressive regime and its violent tactics.

The poem is structured in a series of stanzas, each of which describes a different aspect of the encounter between the poet and the Colonel. The first stanza sets the scene and establishes the tone of the poem, with the poet describing the Colonel’s house as “a villa on the outskirts of town” and noting the presence of “a helicopter parked on the lawn”. The use of the word “villa” suggests luxury and opulence, while the helicopter symbolizes the power and authority of the military regime. The juxtaposition of these two images creates a sense of unease and tension, hinting at the violence and oppression that lies beneath the surface.

The second stanza introduces the Colonel himself, describing him as “a fat man in his thirties” who is “dressed in civilian clothes”. This description is significant, as it suggests that the Colonel is trying to hide his true identity and blend in with the civilian population. The fact that he is “fat” also suggests that he is well-fed and comfortable, in contrast to the starving and impoverished people of El Salvador. The poet notes that the Colonel is “eating breakfast”, which is a mundane and ordinary activity that contrasts sharply with the violence and brutality that he represents.

The third stanza is where the poem takes a dark turn, as the poet describes the Colonel’s collection of “human ears” that are “drying on a windowsill”. This image is shocking and disturbing, as it suggests that the Colonel has been involved in the mutilation and torture of innocent people. The fact that the ears are “drying” suggests that this is a routine and commonplace activity for the Colonel, and that he takes pleasure in it. The poet’s use of the word “human” emphasizes the dehumanization of the victims, reducing them to mere body parts rather than individuals with lives and families.

The fourth stanza continues this theme of dehumanization, as the poet describes the Colonel’s “face” as “a mask” that is “stretched into a smile”. This image suggests that the Colonel is hiding his true emotions and intentions behind a façade of friendliness and charm. The fact that his face is described as a “mask” also suggests that he is not a real person, but rather a symbol of the military regime and its oppressive tactics. The poet notes that the Colonel is “showing his teeth”, which is a predatory and aggressive gesture that suggests he is a dangerous and violent individual.

The fifth stanza is where the poem reaches its climax, as the poet describes the Colonel’s “guests” who are “sitting on the living room furniture”. These guests are revealed to be “the severed heads of peasants” who have been “arranged in a neat row”. This image is shocking and horrifying, as it suggests that the Colonel has not only been involved in the mutilation and torture of innocent people, but that he also displays their severed heads as trophies. The fact that the heads are arranged in a “neat row” suggests that this is a deliberate and calculated act, designed to intimidate and terrorize the civilian population.

The final stanza of the poem is a powerful and poignant reflection on the poet’s own role in the encounter. She notes that she “was there” and that she “saw” everything that happened, but that she did not speak out or take action. This admission of guilt and complicity is a powerful indictment of the poet’s own silence and inaction in the face of such atrocities. The poem ends with the haunting image of the Colonel’s “voice” echoing in the poet’s mind, a reminder of the violence and oppression that she witnessed and failed to confront.

In conclusion, Carolyn Forché’s poem, The Colonel, is a powerful and haunting piece of literature that explores the horrors of war and the dehumanization of individuals in times of conflict. The poem is a vivid and visceral account of the encounter between the poet and the titular Colonel, a high-ranking military officer who represents the oppressive regime and its violent tactics. The use of vivid and shocking imagery, such as the Colonel’s collection of human ears and the row of severed heads, creates a sense of horror and disgust that lingers long after the poem has ended. The poem is a powerful reminder of the importance of speaking out against injustice and oppression, and of the consequences of remaining silent in the face of such atrocities.

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