Effects Of War On Children In The Dining Table By Gbanabom Hallowell

There are other posts about "The Dining Table" by Gbanabom Hallowell written in naijapoets.com.ng but this post will be looking at the effects of war on children in The Dining Table by Gbanabom Hallowell.

According to some records, it is said that the 11-year civil war of Sierra Leone (1991-2002) motivated Hallowell to write "The Dining Table". It is obvious in the poem that the war laid her painful hands on everybody (young and old).

The first obvious effect on the children is homelessness; homelessness gathered every age to the so-called “dinner table”; including the sleepless barefooted childre
n with eyes so sharp and alert like switchblades and the effect of the war or sudden attack took away their peace and clipped their voices with silence.

As common to nights of every assaults, the children were filled with abnormal alertness backed by fear since they found themselves in an unsecure place “where guerillas walk the land while crocodiles surf”.

[Have you read: Thematic Analysis Of Water By Philip Larkin]

Asides the pathetic exposure to dangerous experiences at such tender ages, other effects of the war on children are sicknesses and diseases "cholera breaks its spell on cracked lips", and the lost of appetite "vegetables die in their tongue".

Discuss the Absurdity of War in the Dining Table

Discuss The Themes Of Political Revolution In Dining Table

Samuel C. Enunwa aka samueldpoetry
(the Leo with wings flying)