Goodness Can be Inside Evil

In the poem “Vultures,” Achebe uses multiple techniques to discuss the dichotomy of good and evil. For instance, “cold telescopic eyes…” is an example of imagery. This portrayal evokes the feeling that the vultures are heartless creatures—near robotic and insensitive to their surroundings. Additionally, the poet opts to add an ellipsis at the end, providing the reader with a pause to reflect on notions of good and evil. “Love in other ways so particular will pick a corner in that charnel-house—her face turned to the wall!” This personification implies that, even in unnerving spaces like a charnel house, love can still be found.

The phrase “turned to the wall” indicates love’s attempt to avoid the sight of dead bodies.

Employing oxymoron, Achebe writes, “Fumes of human roast clinging rebelliously to his hairy nostrils,” only to follow it with “pick up a chocolate for his tender offspring”. The initial imagery is vivid and repellant, depicting the Commandant’s daily gruesome activities. However, it is brilliantly juxtaposed with a heartfelt image of the Commandant offering his child a chocolate. This stanza compares the terror of concentration camps with the beauty of familial love, contrasting the disgusting with the sweet. A key message that “Vultures” seeks to convey is the interrelationship between love and evil. In the concluding part of the poem, Achebe pens, “in every germ of that kindred love is lodged the perpetuity of evil.” Here, “germ” is used metaphorically—in the vein of a germ of love. Germs denote elements that can proliferate and evolve.

Further, “perpetuity” is employed to signify the everlasting nature of a thing. The poem seeks to communicate that the germ of love may not mature incessantly as evil could invariably impede its spread. In the final stanza, the poet presents two options to the readers. We can either appreciate providence for enabling even the most cruel creatures to demonstrate love, or we can acquiesce to the idea that they only extend love towards their kin while continuing to display cruelty towards the rest. This implies that any individual is capable of both evil and kindness. Regardless of how sinful a thing may be, there is always an inherent beauty in it. Conversely, even the kindest of beings can harbor evil. I believe that humans are innately good and it’s one’s environment and specific experiences that sometimes leads them to malevolence. In conclusion, I contend that we should acknowledge the kindness within wickedness, but also be wary that evil can reside in kindness.

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