Caribbean Landscape and Visual Imagination: An analysis of Derek Walcott’s Poems by Barbara D. Constance

Abstract

Derek Walcott’s work lends itself to the analysis and evaluation of a plethora of themes and perspectives. This paper seeks to analyze and evaluate the notion of visual imagination in the poetic works of this renowned scholar. The paper looks specifically at three poems in his work, Collected Poems 1948-1984. The poems include ‘Egypt Tobago’, ‘Ruins of a Great House’ and ‘Jean Rhys’. This paper takes into consideration the extent to which Derek Walcott appeals to and stimulates the visual imagination. This presentation seeks to highlight how Derek Walcott uses the pen to portray images that are peculiar to and inherent in the Caribbean landscape and culture and the dynamic creativity he uses to achieve this.