Love After Love - Derek Walcott

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• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 6

Love After Love - 

Derek Walcott

About the author

• Born on the island of Saint Lucia, a former British colony in the West Indies, poet and playwright Derek Walcott was trained as a painter but turned to writing as a young man. 
• He published his first poem in the local newspaper at the age of 14. Five years later, he borrowed $200 to print his first collection, 25 Poems, which he distributed on street corners. 
• Walcott’s major breakthrough came with the collection In a Green Night: Poems 1948-1960 (1962), a book which celebrates the Caribbean and its history as well as investigates the scars of colonialism. 
• Throughout a long and distinguished career, Walcott returned to those same themes of language, power, and place. 
  

1. How does the title Love After Love relate to the central theme of the poem?

2. How does the poet use the imagery of meeting oneself in the second stanza to convey self-acceptance?

3. Discuss the use of imperative verbs (e.g., "sit," "feast") throughout the poem. What effect do they create?

4. How does Walcott's use of enjambment contribute to the flow and tone of the poem?

5. Analyze the symbolism of "wine and bread" in the context of the poem.

6. In what ways does the poem explore the theme of self-love and reconciliation with oneself?

7. How does the tone shift throughout the poem, and what effect does this shift have on the reader?

How does Love After Love encourage readers to rethink their relationship with themselves after a period of emotional struggle?

If this poem were addressed to someone who has gone through a breakup, how might it be interpreted differently?

Take a photo that represents the message of Love After Love. Think about the following prompts as you create or choose your image:

- Who are you? Select an image that symbolizes self-acceptance and self-love.
- What does "feast on your life" look like? Choose a visual metaphor that celebrates life and self-discovery, such as a table full of food, a mirror, or a serene landscape.