Tropic Love

Tropic Love

Olive Senior in an interview stated that, “………..I think basically my writing reflects my society and how it functions. Obviously, one of my concerns is gender.............”. SB-Men have become so brazen faced in their detachment that they no longer see the need for romance/emotion as represented by the "flowers" and they no longer provide for their families but look to women as a source of pleasure
Literal Meaning: Given in the narration.

Literal meaning-The narrator is sitting in her porch one evening when she witnesses a woman speaking to her "Lover" She chastises him for his lack of support both financially and emotionally. However, she was more concerned that he was not contributing economically to the betterment of her situation, as was expected of a partner.
Senior presents the woman as goal oriented and independent. The woman knows fully well that she is able to provide for her family on her own and doesn't need the luxury of a man's support.
She is willing to: sell by the roadside, take in washing by the riverside and become a house made or a cook for "milady" in order to meet her family's needs.
She has no need for her ''lover's" empty words. If he can't do something practical to show his love he is considered a distraction and a liability rather than an asset to her and the children.
NB: Senior does not portray Jamaican women as "Superwomen" who reach their goals without real problems but she celebrates real women by highlighting real issues that they face and overcome daily in their pursuit of success and gender equality.

Significance of the Title:
Tropic Love speaks of the type of Love relationship dominating the "Tropics" or the Caribbean.
Visiting Relationships
Single Parenting
Women- sole breadwinner
Presents the PoV that men are unreliable and inconsistent, wanting the pleasures without the responsibilities that come with the package.
About the poem:
Free verse

Point of View- Poet is the narrator since the poet is relating the event. The woman is the persona.
Internal rhyme: anymore/or, but/pot,
Masculine rhyme: Washing/living
Hyperbole : " My heart has turned to stone"- Severity of the woman's unattachment, independence.
Tone: Conversational (senior is relating an incident to her audience) Unapologetic, Assertive, decisive, vulnerable. Mood: Marvellous (Senior is in awe at the place where poetry can be found), discontentment/anger (a little)

Form and Genre-
Genre - Dramatic Monologue, Occasional Verse (recounts a particular event; Harvard University Poetry Classroom)
This might be called a "closet soliloquy": a long poem spoken by a character who often unwittingly reveals his or her hidden desires and actions over the course of the poem. The "I" of the dramatic monologue is very distinct from the "I" of the poet's persona.