When analyzing this poem, I began by first examining the title. “Tenebris” translates into the word darkness in Latin. Latin, a European language said to have origins in other common languages such as French, Spanish, Portuguese, English etc.
During the Colonial era slave’s language was derived from what they picked up from their slave owners along with some of their native tongues. For instance, Brazilians speak Portuguese, regions in Latin America speak Spanish. Portions of Africa speak French like the Congolese and Senegalese. In Haiti, they have French Creole a derivative of their French colonizers with African language. Here in America we speak English.
Because of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade the continent of Africa was divided amongst European nations. Colonizers included European territories Spain, France, Portugal and Great Britain.
According to Webster’s dictionary one of the definitions are the quality of being dark in color. Perhaps a hint at the skin tone of a slave being “Black” or dark. Associated with the race of the person depicted as African American. This poem is personal for the speaker given her background. It is a reflection of her disapproval for slavery. Her family has a rich background in abolitionism. She was named after her paternal Caucasian aunt who was the first American woman to address a legislative body and place 20,000 Massachusetts women’s names on anti-slavery petitions.
The first two lines are as follows:
“There is a tree, by day
That, at night. Has a shadow.”
This aligns well with the definition of darkness that says secrecy or mystery. During the day, the “tree” is seemingly just that, a tree. But once night falls the tree takes on a new form.
This tree is sinister. On the contrary, in nature, a tree represents positivity. For it enables living things to breathe oxygen. It prolongs and maintains life.
But during and even post slavery times the tree took on a more frightening role for the Black community. The tree was perhaps feared by Blacks for it was used for purposes such as lynching. The tree that contributed to life was now being used for the exact opposite, to aid murders and end lives.
The next two lines state:
“A hand huge and black, with fingers long and black”
The tree might be symbolic of a black person, specifically a Black male.
Perceived by many as intimidating. Yet has played a huge contribution to society. Especially in the building of the United States.
The Black male and female being exploited and forced into a life of slavery. Their body useful in various ways. Like a tree used for paper, maple syrup, oxygen, wood, shelter etc. The trees are destroyed for our benefit. This was the case for the African American, like the tree he had no say. His participation was involuntary, taken by force.
Huge indicates Black power, liberation
The line where it became more evident that this poem was a depiction of slave labor was line 6:
“Against the white man’s house”
The white man the master
While the white family lives lavishly, there is a black slave behind the scenes responsible for the white man’s success. For the house is essentially thriving on slave labor. Female slaves managed the interior of the homes while males were responsible for building them. Females raised white children even giving their breast milk to revive ill children. They spent most of their time as mothers not to their own children who were being sold and separated from them but to their masters own. They were also in charge of cooking, cleaning, making clothing etc.
Lines 8-10 states:
“The black hand plucks and plucks
At the bricks
The bricks are the color of blood”
A hint at Blacks being the foundation of the “structure” the house, which also represents the white master’s livelihood, security, safety etc. This country was built on the backs of Black slaves. Like horses, cattle or camels slaves were used to the advantage of their “superiors”. These animals were and still are used as transportation, food, and milk their backs used as support for parcels and even people. Slaves like these animals were unwilling participants. They never gave consent. The speaker describes the appearance of the bricks as being the color of blood. A reference to the abuse, suffering and torture endured by slaves at the hands of Masters. Slaves were brutally, raped, whipped and beaten to gain their compliance. They had to be “broken down” and many died in the process.
The speaker goes on to say:
“and very small”
Small may symbolize “minority”. Overlooked, disrespected and abused yet they play a crucial role in White’s lives. Bricks may symbolize Blacks themselves and their labor Slaves are bricks serving as support for the structure being the
Small, yet in numbers very powerful, especially in unison Slaves, the
Although bricks seem like a small aspect of a house without them a home would not be able to stand. Slaves, like bricks don’t get enough credit and are overlooked and underestimated. In actuality, slaves hold the key to the white man’s comfortability.
However, through this poem it seems the white man’s comfortability is threatened. As the vengeful spirit of the deceased former slave is courageous.
Lines 8-9 serves as a painful reminder of her ordeal while in captivity. By “plucking” at the bricks of the “white man’s house” the slave is desperately trying to erase that memory. But, since the slave is merely an apparition, the bricks go unmoved. Which is why he appears to the living as a “shadow” He is a disgruntled, spirit, the “plucks” are his desperate attempts to get justice. The spirit is trying to bring attention and raise alarm to the exploitation and injustice suffered at the hands of the slave master. He wants to ensure the master is no longer able to selfishly take credit for his hard work. By destroying the house, he is destroying the white man’s life in a way. This home, a representation of his wealth. The home on the plantation a prison, a symbol of captivity by the Blacks.
The spirits presence appears as a haunting. He sticks around perhaps trapped in between the spirit realm and his former life.
Line 10: “The bricks are the color of blood”
In the last line the speaker seems to question herself on if she has seen an actual black person or an apparition, which proves my haunting theory. This powerful shadow only let out at night can also be a result of the slaves repressed anger and resentment toward their Masters. Since any opposition is met with consequence slaves for the most part were reluctant in voicing their opinions and advocating on their behalves.
Perhaps at night all that pent-up rage and energy was awakened. The shadow plucking at the bricks was what the slaves wished they could actually carry out but wouldn’t dare out of fear. It could be a slave dreaming of what he would do if he had the courage. At night, their spirits roam performing actions they wouldn’t dare during the day.
A poet with a similar work is Yusef Komunyakaa’s poem Blues Chant Hoodoo Revival.
Within his poem the speaker too speaks of liberation of African Americans through faith and maintaining loyalty to their customs. Through the usage of Hoodoo and Voodoo practices the people of New Orleans could feel liberated. They rely on the belief that wrongdoings will be made right through Karma.
The speaker begins as saying:
“my story is how deep the heart runs to hide and laugh with your hands over your blank mouth face behind the mask.”
The speaker is hiding his true intent and feeling. On the outside, to the White world he is seen as compliant, docile, easily controlled. But, in reality through his use of Hoodoo he is essentially going against the White man by staying true to his original beliefs. He was supposed to have adopted Christianity as his sole religion years prior. But was cleverly able to merge European beliefs taught to his to be right with African beliefs. He is secretly challenging his master. Yet, he wouldn’t do this blatantly, it is done in secret.
This can be compared to Grimke’s poem Tenebris in which slaves spirits only fight back in death, too afraid to oppose the master’s in life. All actions are done through a shadow, a representation of something unseen.
It could be said that Grimke too believes in the power of spirits and their ability to curse you. The shadow can be a spirit working in favor of the freedom of people still enslaved.
Komunyakaa states:
Our story is
“A rifle butt
Across our heads
Where they kick down doors”
The speaker is clearly oppressed, unable to defend himself against the brutality of the slave masters. He is defenseless, made to simply deal with the situation as he is not in power. Violence and religion were two important methods of control used by slave masters.
A similar theme is found in Grimke’s poem Tenebris:
“The bricks are the color of blood”
A hint at the abuse suffered by slaves from white master’s. This speaker too is defenseless and made to accept it as a way of life.
In conclusion, Grimke’s underlying theme with her poem “Tenebris” was one of belief that “What’s done in the dark will come to light”. Throughout her poem she seemed to fantasize about punishment for White master’s for the enslavement of Africans. She blamed the white man’s undeserving “success” on the captivity of Africans.
References
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