In this poem, the Ol' Higue / soucouyant
tells of her frustration with her lifestyle. She does not like the fact that
she sometimes has to parade around, in the form of a fireball, without her skin
at night. She explains that she has to do this in order to scare people, as
well as to acquire baby blood. She explains that she would rather acquire this
blood via cooked food, like every-one else. Her worst complaint is the pain of
salt, as well as having to count rice grains. She exhibits some regret for her
lifestyle but implies that she cannot resist a baby's smell, as well as it's
pure blood. The 'newness' of the baby tempts the Ol' Higue, and she cannot
resist because she is an old woman who fears death, which can only be avoided
by consuming the baby's blood. She affirms her usefulness in the scheme of
things, however, by claiming that she provides mothers with a name for their
fears (this being the death of a child), as well as some-one to blame when the
evil that they wish for their child, in moments of tired frustration, is
realized. She implies that she will never die, so long as women keep having babies.
LITERARY DEVICES
1. SIMILE
Cane-fire has a very distinct quality. It
burns very quickly and its presence is felt through it's pungent smell.
Therefore, when the Ol' Higue compares herself to cane fire in her fireball
state, it implies that she uses a lot of energy quickly, and is very
visible.
2. RHETORICAL QUESTION
•Stanza 1,line 4: This rhetorical question
highlights the scant regard that the Higue has for the average person. She is
thoroughly annoyed that she has to literally waste her energy on them.
•Stanza 1, line 5: This highlights the fact
that, again, she is annoyed that she has to expend so much energy to obtain a
few drops of baby blood.
•Stanza 1, lines 6-8: The Ol' Higue is
emphasizing the fact that regular people ingest blood too, just in a more
palatable manner. She would not mind if she could ingest it in the same manner
as well.
•Stanza 3, lines 22-23: At this point the
Ol' Higue is making excuses for her presence, claiming that she serves an
actual purpose in the scheme of life. If a child dies of unknown causes, she
can be scapegoated for it.
•Stanza 3, lines 24-25: 'The murder inside
your head' refers to the moments, when out of pure frustration and tiredness, a
mother might wish ill on her child. The Ol' Higue is implying that, again, she
can be used as a scapegoat if something unfortunate happens to the child. The
mother is relieved of bearing the burden of guilt.
3. REPETITION
The repetition of the word 'soft'
emphasizes the fact that the call of the child's blood has captured and
beguiled the Ol' Higue'. She implies that she cannot resist that call.
4. ALLITERATION
This device emphasizes the Ol' Higue's
dependence, even addiction, to the sweet blood of the baby.
IMPORTANT WORDS/ PHRASES
5. 'stupidness!'
This is a distinctly Caribbean phrase that
highlights frustration or scorn. Therefore, it highlights the Ol' Higue's
frustration with her lack of self control.
6. 'gallivanting'
This term refers to some one 'playing
around', having fun. The Ol' Higue is being sarcastic at this point. She is
expressing displeasure at having to fly around to seek prey.
7. 'pure blood running in new veins'
Babies are often associated with purity,
this is what is emphasized here. The Ol' Higue simply cannot resist the lure of
new and pure blood.
8. 'holding her final note for years and
years, afraid of the dying hum ...'
This tells us that the Ol'Higue has been
living this desperate existence for a long time. It also implies that she will
keep hanging on, despite her frustration. The final line confirms this point:
'As long as it have women giving birth a poor Ol' Higue like me can never dead'
MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE
The mood of the poem is reflective.
TONE
The tone of the poem is slightly bitter and
resigned. She accepts that the cycle of her life cannot change.
THEMATIC CATEGORIZATION
Supernatural
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